NDFRC
Member
It occurred to me the last online sale of that 'special' steel M39 serial #39 a couple weeks ago sold for over $6k. Perhaps the new normal for these have been set.
The seductive Model 39s as collectors' subculture.
- Thread starter model3sw
- Start date
OP
I think we'll see that one coming up for auction again. I was the #2 highest bidder. I only stopped bidding only because I became very suspicious of the other bidders running up my bids all along and especially near the close of the auction.
Sometimes the suspected shill bidders have low and / or no feedback (an easy to sport, tell tale) and sometimes bidders with high feedback ratings. Go research that bidders prior purchases in the past 3 months. Look at them all. Perhaps you'll notice a suspicious pattern, too.
R.S. "Sal" Raimondi, Sr,
Just a collector like you guys.
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I recently had the treat to view a Letter on a 52A. Three steel frames were made . Two were sent to Ft Benning and one to Kirkland AFB. Later, 87 alloy 52As were produced. Number unknown of how many were sent out and how many stayed in the factory safe. Ok, 90 guns made. The guns in the safe were released thru normal channels by the factory. The Letter stated this gun was one of 44 sent to Gil Hebard at a 1964 cost
of $52.25 each. Just thought I would share the info.
of $52.25 each. Just thought I would share the info.
kwill1911
Member
Do you know the serial numbers for any of these 52A pistols?
Side note -- it isn't always that a rare gun goes NUTS on Gunbroker. A very close relative of the 39 sold last night, a Model 147-A, one of 112 ever made, it went for only $3,035 which is less dough than I have seen a 147-A pull.
OP
Kevin, in the members section a month or two back Roy answered with the known test or x numbers of the few sent out for tests.
Of the 87, 52-As released via commercial channels I have seen only 358xx serial number range, in my lifetime.
Mine was purchased new from Cherry's by Dr. John Parker, M.D. (a WWII US Navy fighter pilot) of Perry, Florida, however "letters" as shipped from S&W to Gil Hebard who was a major distributor / warehouse back in the day.
Best Regards, Sal
PS: I purchased mine (from Dr. Parker) about 25 years ago.
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I have the Sns. of the three steel prototypes. The guns released were in the range of 35850-35927, 78 guns. These were alloy guns. The alloy guns sent for testing I do not have yet. There may have been 10 in the test.
Im still searching. Where are they, not a clue. Just the fun of being a collector and investigating a mystery.
Im still searching. Where are they, not a clue. Just the fun of being a collector and investigating a mystery.
OP
kwill1911
Member
your dyslexia (or Martini) syndrome is showing. Did you mean 87 instead of 78 ?
And maybe Lackland AFB...not Kirkland.
Rich, I smiled broadly when I saw your image of your "39" line. Beautiful, man, just downright beautiful!
Later.
Later.
Yes, Lackland AFB.
The posted serial number range stated works out to 78 guns, not 87.
The range of numbers does not incl. the 10? sent out for testing.
I have not found the exact quantity or serial numbers of the test guns.
The posted serial number range stated works out to 78 guns, not 87.
The range of numbers does not incl. the 10? sent out for testing.
I have not found the exact quantity or serial numbers of the test guns.
OP
If we're getting ooober-technical, 87 manufactured, 10 to testing, leaves 77 remaining sold to commercial market.
But then again ... who really knows beyond a reasonable doubt ?
I do know they are ultra-rare ! (and RARE is the legit term for them).
I believe we are getting uber. or ooober, technical. But we are investigating a mystery. That is quite fun. Its what we do. Im attempting to work with Sn. ranges and production numbers from the guys at the entrance to the S&W cave of ledgers. A little patience and being polite all ways works out. I would agree it is a rare, very limited production gun released to the gun fraternity. They almost teeter on the brink of being experimental. An experiment that did not quite work out. But when the Big Guy at the top corner office gets the call from DoD/Pentagon/Army,
the Eng Dept. said, sure we can do that. At least in the old days.
the Eng Dept. said, sure we can do that. At least in the old days.
NDFRC
Member
Your right it's back for sale
Sal, you were right it back up for sale on the international site.. $7k !
Sal, you were right it back up for sale on the international site.. $7k !
Hello NDFRC, Mr. Marbles mod-39, Sn. 39, has reappeared.
It is a neat pistol. Its just not in the original, as left the factory configuration. He sent it back for some changes. The recent hammer price was $6150.55 back in April. That is a healthy sum for most of must, but deep pockets prevail. Good luck to the present seller.
It is a neat pistol. Its just not in the original, as left the factory configuration. He sent it back for some changes. The recent hammer price was $6150.55 back in April. That is a healthy sum for most of must, but deep pockets prevail. Good luck to the present seller.
OP
Mike, The guy who was offering it for sale, last time. is THE SAME GUY that is listing it for sale currently on another venue.
Back then I surmised the high bidder was bogus, so I stopped bidding. It seems apparent my suspicion was correct. Sal
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OP
Most likely under the left grip panel however I have noticed other later 39s stamped at the mag-well area. I'm still not sure if the mag well stamp would be a factory S&W marking.
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OP
... AND ... it is the SAME seller.
Seems to me that folks interested should be made aware of it's recent history and the owner/seller should feel free to give his side of the story and/or explanation for why it got bid so high but did not sell.
