3913 TSW Pre-Rail Serial Number Question

[4T5GUY]

A couple of months ago I ACTUALLY did find one of the S&W pistols I've been wanting for YEARS. Ever since I got my pre rail 4513 TSW, (20 + yrs ago to "replace" my 4516-2 for carry,) I've kinda wanted the like in 9mm.

I've since been gathering a few of the non railed TSW examples. Most are the MSE & MSF prefix, (actually all,) and of course pre rail. All have original boxes so I was confused about this 3913 TSW.

Since some here are offended when bought price is mentioned, I'll just say it was between $500.00 & $550.00, excellent w/box/docs/magazines/and the extra mag floor plates. By the way another non railed "9 TSW" went for $1,250.00 in the same auction. I didn't even know they existed so I suppose a new hunt is on, but definitely not at that price.

Thanks for any input, again.

Jim

 

[GaryS]

Another S&W mystery. Both my pre rail 3913TSW and 3953TSW have MSE prefixes.

The SCSW doesn't show a TDM prefix, but TDN is from 1999 so your prefix makes sense. Well, other than the fact that MSE was the standard prefix.

 

[18DAI]

Nice score on a great little 9mm 4T5GUY!

I have a couple of TDM prefix guns. One is a 4513TSW, early variant, LE Special order overun. The other is my old duty 4566. Also part of an LE Special order. Seeing a pattern there?

Both were also made after the official "end of production" for both models.

I have noticed many other LE trade ins with TDM or other TDX prefixes. Seems like it was used for the 50+ LE gun orders quite a bit. Regards 18DAI

 

[4T5GUY]

I have a couple of TDM prefix guns. One is a 4513TSW, early variant, LE Special order overun. The other is my old duty 4566. Also part of an LE Special order. Seeing a pattern there?


Well I certainly am seeing a pattern.

My non railed, 7rnd 4513TSW has a TDU prefix, (another 1999.) You explained that it was most probably part of a LE order. So I'm guessing this pre-rail, 7rnd 3913TSW was also.

Thanks again for the most excellent info.

Jim

 

[GaryS]

Maybe S&W wanted to easily track these guns for warranty or some other S&W purpose.

The ways of the Mothership are strange and mysterious!

Now, I'll have to keep my eyes open for TDx series guns.

Nice score on a great little 9mm 4T5GUY!

I have a couple of TDM prefix guns. One is a 4513TSW, early variant, LE Special order overun. The other is my old duty 4566. Also part of an LE Special order. Seeing a pattern there?

Both were also made after the official "end of production" for both models.

I have noticed many other LE trade ins with TDM or other TDX prefixes. Seems like it was used for the 50+ LE gun orders quite a bit. Regards 18DAI

 

[18DAI]

I forgot one. My 4516 "dash 3", LE Special order from 2004. It has a TDT serial prefix.

It is basically a 4516-2 with laser etched markings and a trigger job from the factory that must have been done at the Performance Center. Superior DA/SA trigger to all my PC semi autos. That one is a keeper. Regards 18DAI

 

[Martya]

I have a couple of TDM prefix guns. One is a 4513TSW, early variant, LE Special order overun. The other is my old duty 4566. Also part of an LE Special order. Seeing a pattern there?

Well I certainly am seeing a pattern.

My non railed, 7rnd 4513TSW has a TDU prefix, (another 1999.) You explained that it was most probably part of a LE order. So I'm guessing this pre-rail, 7rnd 3913TSW was also.

Thanks again for the most excellent info.

Jim

4T5GUY:
So what's a 45 guy doing with a 9MM??? And bragging about it?

My 4513TSW label is identical to yours except my S/N is 10 numbers higher. It was a LE order, my hand-me-down from my baby brother's dept in NJ originally issued in 1999, after they switched to M&P45. Same never-rail, and it came with five 7+1 mags.

 

[4T5GUY]

Martya thanks for your insight/information. I'm going to put that in my notes.

I'd have to agree in that these kinda different pistols seem to be some of the best examples that came out of S&W. My TDU prefix 4513TSW has about the best trigger of all my S&W semi's. That includes the several P.C. TDA's I have.

I guess getting my "K" Date P08 and BYF43 P38 "broke the ice" and plunged me into the 9mm world. Unfortunately I've also entered into the DARK WORLD of S&W 3rd Gen .40's now.

Jim

 

[cnette01]

I have a pre-rail 7 round 3913 TSW with a prefix of TDM as well. It has a spec order # 9193. Hope this helps, but what does it all mean? It's interesting information for sure!

 

[4T5GUY]

Wow, very cool cnette01. Only 12 away from mine.

I'm glad I brought this subject up and I'm appreciating all the relevant information.

Part of the fun in collecting is sometimes just the learning that comes with it. Where else could you go to find out about pre & non railed TSW's? (And of course all the other stuff we all learn here.)

Jim

 

[JohnHL]

Astute observation regarding the "TD" prefix pistols.

I checked my records and I have a number of "T" prefix pistols (LEO and otherwise), all pre-dating early 1992, with the exception of a California Department of Corrections 6906 which exhibits all of the "latest" production innovations (laser printing, MIM hammer and trigger, and plastic disconnector and mainspring plunger) and has a "TDS" serial number prefix.

The ship date on the 6906 is 02/2000, according to S&W C/S, after the end of civilian production.

It has been reported that S&W will hold a "block" of serial numbers "in reserve" for future "special" use.

I had wondered about early models sporting later production features and "TD" prefixes.

Now it seems our own 18DAI has cracked yet another seemingly inscrutable S&W code.

Nice work, Inspector!

John

 

[TercGen]

First off, congrats on the nice 3913TSW pre-rail! If I had to keep only one gun for CC, it would probably be this model and I'd just have to choose between the two I own.

Both of mine are MS- prefix guns, as is my 4513TSW pre-rail. I would have to agree with 18DAI on this one, since I have also seen many TD- prefixed LEO trade-ins over the years.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

All three of my .40 pre-rails (4013TSW & 4056TSW) have the commonly seen MSE & MSF serial numbers & were made in 1997 & 1998.

My pre-rail 4553TSW was made in Nov-1999 but has a TDR serial number. It showed little use when bought & has no outward signs it was a LE model.

It does have a "03" on the label.

What did we decide the "03" on the label means?

I remember 18DAI's 4506-1 R4 "03" thread where it was discussed & it was associated to some LE pistols.

4506-1 (R4) "dash 3"

.

.

.

 

[4T5GUY]

It does have a "03" on the label.

What did we decide the "03" on the label means?




I had asked a while back for people to check their boxes for the 04 on the label. At that time I only had one TSW, (with factory Trijicon's,) and the label has the 04.

I now have three pistols with factory Trijicon's. All three are pre and non railed TSW's. All have 04 on the labels. 03 might be standard Novak's. (?) I can't look at other boxes right now.

Jim

 

[GaryS]

The CA DOC 3913 that I once had, and should have kept, had a TDT prefix.

The first 457 that I owned had a TDP prefix.

For a while I had a 5904 with adjustable sights. It was in with a bunch of 5906 PD trade ins. I bought it because I wanted a 5904 to go with my 5906. The prefix was TDD, so it might have been part of that batch or just coincidence.

As I recall, I bought the 457 from the original owner, who was not a police officer. Maybe that was an over run gun.

My 3914 DAO which was definitely a police gun has the standard for that model UCT prefix.