The seductive Model 39s as collectors' subculture.

[model3sw]

Wow only 4 off from mine (1173). I 100% assume I'll never see matching boxes to any of my guns, but you never know...

You should letter it to find out when shipped. Shipping date will better determine what box might be "more" correct than others. Some very low number guns were shipped in the 1960s in blue, pre-bangor punta boxes with solid silver border line and paper end-label.

Those shipped in more reliable sequence usually have the diagonal line across the face of the box and only indicate S&W 9mm automatic. These have the serial number and another AIR ( as i recall) designation in white crayon, hand written, on the bottom of the box.

I have 1021 (with the experimental side & extractor) no box, 1093 and 1130 (no boxes) then I jump to 1369 which was Bob Frielich's (TiredGunsmith) personal gun, he purchased new. It has the original box, cleaning tools and extra mags (Later) 39 mags but no green booklet. The lowest complete pre-39 I have is 1843 that is complete in the box with the green 9mm booklet.

 

[hkcavalier]

You should letter it to find out when shipped. Shipping date will better determine what box might be "more" correct than others. Some very low number guns were shipped in the 1960s in blue, pre-bangor punta boxes with solid silver border line and paper end-label.

Those shipped in more reliable sequence usually have the diagonal line across the face of the box and only indicate S&W 9mm automatic. These have the serial number and another AIR ( as i recall) designation in white crayon, hand written, on the bottom of the box.

I have 1021 (with the experimental side & extractor) no box, 1093 and 1130 (no boxes) then I jump to 1369 which was Bob Frielich's (TiredGunsmith) personal gun, he purchased new. It has the original box, cleaning tools and extra mags (Later) 39 mags but no green booklet. The lowest complete pre-39 I have is 1843 that is complete in the box with the green 9mm booklet.

Already done. It shipped in September 1955 to the military PX distributor in New York, so it ended up being sold on a base somewhere.

 

[gmborkovic]

A302000? Am I close?

 

[cougar015]

I saw that one, too. I can write now, after the fact, the seller did not respond to a request I made over a week ago for close-up pictures of the grip frame, with the grips removed, and close ups of the mag well area. I asked as Serial number: 39 did not leave the factory as a nickel gun.

Even considering the known detraction (not shipped in nickel) ... and the sellers failure to respond ... I went as far as I felt comfortable and may have gone further if not for the last few counter bids that seemed completely out of context.

Sal,
Love this post and it just keeps going. I was watching and bidding on that one also. I was surprised by the late bidder who came out of no where and won it. I'm sure many of us would like to have that gun. Take care my friend.

 

[cougar015]

Looks like the frame was likely sanded and refinished but still an excellent find. It's only about 200 SNs into the MODEL 39 marked 9mms. You made out OK. Enjoy it !

If you really need one in the original numbered box ... just holler. I have, 2 pre-39s in the correct box, 3 with TiredGunsmith's Pre-39 but I cannot sell that one. He bought his brand new. I am the 2nd owner. Also, probably 2 or more early Model 39s (lower 4 digit SNs) in the box.

SAL,
Let me know when you are ready to sell as owning one of your pre-39's someday is at the top of my list.
Rich

 

[model3sw]

Sal,
Love this post and it just keeps going. I was watching and bidding on that one also. I was surprised by the late bidder who came out of no where and won it. I'm sure many of us would like to have that gun. Take care my friend.

Rich, I was being run up the proverbial flagpole on this one. I feel strongly the last few counter bids near the end were likely shills. That's where I get off. Once someone throws in the stink bomb resembling a shill ... I wouldn't care if it was one in a zillion ... I'm out.

We should all lay back when suspicious bids start showing up. Perhaps it's my background as investigator that makes me more suspicious than the average bidder. I take something like a shill bid as a personal foul.

 

[gmborkovic]

Question: if you sent a first gen. auto back to the factory for a refinish or change of finish, would it be stamped on the left frame flat under the grips?

 

[FirebirdV8]

I have attached a few pictures of small things I have noticed that changed between the 39 and the 39-2. There is the obvious barrel bushing, but also the slide stop and slide stop notch in the slide. I have noticed more changes as well and will post them as I have time.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Roy, you are well on your way of being a 39 nut!
You still have a few more to go.

 

[FirebirdV8]

Hello Roy, you are well on your way of being a 39 nut!
You still have a few more to go.

I have been tracking these and other changes through the forum and gunbroker etc for a while now. I have only had the funds to get a few Model 39s, but I have a very nice Model 39 that was one of my first guns several years ago.

 

[mbliss57]

I was talking to Sal today (Model3SW) about pre 39 paper work.
Has anyone compiled a gallery of the different variations of booklets/ instruction sheets that shipped with pre model 39 and early Model 39s particularly the ones that had green print on them? I have 2 dated Sept 1958 and both are different from each other. See pics
Thanks in advance
Mike
Front page Sept 1 1958

Front page Sept 1 1958

 

[Mercs]

That settles it. I know what I want for my 39th Bday


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cougar015]

Just a few to view

The thing about collecting 1st and 2nd gen model 39's is you can never get enough.

 

[kwill1911]

I think this is the first manual.

 

[model3sw]

I think this is the first manual.

Yes, this is the first (pre-39) manual, however, I am not sure when (or at about what serial number range) S&W stopped providing this type with the 9mm (pre-39 or how far into the Model 39 stamped 9mms).

Of the most complete Pre-39s I own, 1843 came to me from a reliable source, with the original box and this exact booklet.

The most irrefutable (to verify booklet enclosure) pre-39 I have is the Tired Gunsmith's (Bob Frielich) pre 39 SN:1369 that Bob purchased new in 1955. It, too, has the original numbered box and this identical booklet.

 

[NDFRC]

Steel M39

Man, that was the most I have seen a steel frame M39 go for... $4000 on GB tonight! Wow!
Smith & Wesson Model 39 No Dash STEEL FRAME 99% - Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com : 809032450

 

[model3sw]

Man, that was the most I have seen a steel frame M39 go for... $4000 on GB tonight! Wow!
Smith & Wesson Model 39 No Dash STEEL FRAME 99% - Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com : 809032450

I just don't know what's going on here. Makes no sense what so ever.

 

[gmborkovic]

Sure it makes sense. The buyer surrendered to the seductive power of
the mod-39. There is a lot of new, young money coming in to the market. They are very quiet and private. They dont display at shows or clubs or buy publicly. They use an agent to make their purchases and transfer ownership confidently and legally. They are not in the Ferrari , gold Rolex crowd.

 

[kwill1911]

Sure it makes sense. The buyer surrendered to the seductive power of
the mod-39. There is a lot of new, young money coming in to the market. They are very quiet and private. They dont display at shows or clubs or buy publicly. They use an agent to make their purchases and transfer ownership confidently and legally. They are not in the Ferrari , gold Rolex crowd.

So...how do you know about them? How many are there?

 

[mbliss57]

It seems when these very desirable yet rarely seen guns come up on the big Auction the sale prices get inflated above the "normal" market values. The question is whether this becomes the new normal or is it just an outlier that buyers and sellers recognize? The answer I believe is a litttle of both.