The seductive Model 39s as collectors' subculture.

Plenty of beautiful 39's in this thread!

I have one, modest but in probably Good to Very Good condition, right on the border of that. Grips could use a refinish, and the gun was reimported back from overseas somewhere, so it actually has an import mark on the underside of the dustcover. Got it online somewhere, I posted at the time.

Today I came across one in a pawn shop. Usually this is a friendly store, but the guys there today were strangers and not friendly at all.
The gun, a 39-2, was in pretty rough condition; slide had some type of pitting that had been sanded away, but there was still discoloration. Slide finish was light gray, probably once a cold blue that has faded to a patina. Grips were pachmayrs. Magazine safety was removed. Magazine was an old S&W stamped one, with the X shaped follower. What I could tell, the bore was clean, but the gun definitely has seen better days. I asked if I could take the slide off (had done so there before with other counter guys), this guy said no, so I couldn't check the internals. They wanted $300 for it.

I had wanted to see if I could talk them down due to condition, but the guy at the counter was a total turnoff, acted like he was annoyed that I was in his shop, so I just decided 'nope' and handed it back to him.
 
Hello DC, each one of those pres needs an individual picture. Any chance of that?

Short answer: Those which are already in the bag, I'll soon post. Those which are not . . . well . . ., er, see the . . .

. . . Long Answer:
I'm actually working on that, Mike, but inasmuch as this is an avocation already with many, many hours expended each week, the taking of individual images is a considerable task fraught with many bumps for this near-perfectionist, who will "86" an image quicker than can be said "Photoshop" by someone one-third my age.

"Integrity," I answer upon being given the, "Why not Photoshop?"

"What's 'integrity'?, 'tis said tongue in cheek by the babe-in-arms, who then follows with, "It's a matter of saving time."

"A point well taken," comes the rejoinder as yours truly sets up for another shot.

Then there is the consulting practice that actually pays the above "bill."

Demanding my focus (oops, I'll leave that one alone) nearly every weekend for the past 20-some-odd years, almost invariably in faraway places and to which the conveyance of sidearms each time likely would require Congressional action, the "Hunny-Do" jar is something I gotta take care of upon return/s. (My spouse and I have been together in marraige for 40 years this year and I am most grateful for such.)

At some future time I may well "retire" again after actually already trying it in '94 and although playing golf just about every day was pretty cool and my handicap was driven (Get it? "Driven?" Oh, I just slay myself sometimes) into single digits, I was made a work offer I just couldn't bring myself to refuse - and didn't. And I absolutely love what I do.

Nevertheless, Mike, I appreciate your showing interest in what I've managed to capture - whether it be photographically, physically or both!

Later.

DC
 
Can you post a pic of "the underside of the dust cover"? thanks
I'm assuming that this was directed to me, since mine has the import stamp.

Here it is (editing to clarify, mine's "only" a 39-2, and not a 39. Hope this didn't lead to confusion)

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Hello scooby, yes, good pic and thanks. Does the 39 have any European proof marks? I was not familiar with the term "dust cover" when referencing a mod-39. Good, I learned a new term. Mike
 
Good Times, Bad Times

DCW,
A gentleman, a scholar and dare I say a friend. Your posted line up of the 9mm DA's that we collectors have dubbed "pre 39's" is nothing short of spectacular. I am green with envy.

Rich

Hay Cougar!

Sometime in the last 48 hours, maybe 72, I posted a single-image look at where I currently stand in my Model 39 collecting solely with respect to my "Pre-39" models AT THIS TIME (Should I bust an eardrum or two, I apologize in advance.

Today, here's a look at WHERE I WAS in my early S&W collecting . . . it's so far back I don't remember exactly when (I am absolutely pitiful when it comes to dating images. It's an abhorent practice but I'm not about to change now. I've probably got 10K in prints and slides and haven't a clue).

Nevertheless, you still have honored me and you're still a friend despite your having a fully engraved Model 39 long before I had one . . .

But 'tis true, as I'm of the mind you likely remember:

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Top Row, L to R: "Pre" 39; 39 NoD
Middle Row, L to R: 39-2; 439
Bottom, L to R: 539, 639

Yep, I've got a few more Pre-39s, today, as compared to then. I've also seen my collection of Models 39 rise in price, too. Heck, it's certainly better than last year.
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Restated: Ya gotta start somewhere. Awesome Bill and Bro Ernie did the bull rings before both got to the really big bull rings, ya know what I mean??
 
Hello scooby, yes, good pic and thanks. Does the 39 have any European proof marks? I was not familiar with the term "dust cover" when referencing a mod-39. Good, I learned a new term. Mike
I'm not sure if the term "dust cover" is actually correct, but it's what I've heard that portion of the frame called. :)
I think I've heard 1911 owners call that section that, it speeds it up from "the front section of the frame in front of the trigger guard".

No proof marks present on the pistol. As I understand it, the gun was one of the many that have been imported from Israel. And from what I gather, the importer must put his label on any gun, even if it's actually US manufactured. Some throw it on the slide or frame, some are so discreet as to place it on the barrel (out of sight while assembled).

This location is definitely better than the slide!
 
I don't know if mine is good enough to weigh in on this thread, but I have a 39 no dash, serial 5746. Probably a 93 percent gun with box and no papers.

Long safety, relieved grips.

Sorry, the pictures I have do not raise to the level of gun porn that you all deserve.

I am guessing it shipped in the early-sixties...but, I have not lettered it. Perhaps I should.

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I don't know if mine is good enough to weigh in on this thread, but I have a 39 no dash, serial 5746. Probably a 93 percent gun with box and no papers.

Long safety, relieved grips.

Sorry, the pictures I have do not raise to the level of gun porn that you all deserve.

I am guessing it shipped in the early-sixties...but, I have not lettered it. Perhaps I should.

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

that serial number is in a very interesting serial number range. Put up some good pix for us. Welcome to the "39 zone". Sal Raimondi
 
What makes it interesting?

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First, that we have no pictures of yours yet.

Seriously, the transitional frame changes (from pre-39 to early 39 SNs) have always been a good topic for discussion. Some earlier SNs are found with newer style frames and v-v.

It's long been a consideration of about what serial number ranges some of these changes took place.

To determine that it takes lots of research and comparison of same.
 
Lousy pics....but, here goes.

When you said it was an interesting serial number, I thought maybe it was known to have been carried by Custer at Little Big Horn.
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Lousy pics....but, here goes.

When you said it was an interesting serial number, I thought maybe it was known to have been carried by Custer at Little Big Horn.

Oh ... that's REAL nice. And you have the numbered box, too !! Are there documents in the box. Would like to know if there is a green booklet in there or a 2-tone parts / instruction sheet or which other ? Include another photo of the contents / papers, please ?

Hoping Kevin Williams pops in. Looks like one of the first frame variations from the pre-39s. Kevin Williams is a collector and author as well as a historian and keeper of the records (of combined sources of research) on these early 39 types.

Thanks for posting. VERY nice ! Sal Raimondi

PS: If you still think it is too "low brow" for your collecting interests you could sell it to me ! I call 1st dibs if you want out of it.
 
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