Model 39 - #89999 - What serial number came next?

[FS1ST]

Greetings.

Few days ago I saw this Model 39 minding it's business online and looked lonely so I decided to give it a home. Didn't have too many miles on it. Original box. Serial number #89999. Priced right at $525.

What serial number came next?

 

[murphydog]

That was an excellent price.

And is "next serial number" a trick question? One answer is the next number in order may not have been a model 39, as the model 52 (among other pistols) was numbered in the same series.

If not a trick question, my guess for the next number would be…the next number.

 

[FS1ST]

Thank you for responding.
Trick question? I'd have to know some Schlitz about S&W to ask a trick question. I would like to know how many 39 or 39-2 pistols were manufactured / shipped after this pistol and before use of the "A" Prefix .

 

[murphydog]

Thank you for responding.
Trick question? I'd have to know some Schlitz about S&W to ask a trick question. I would like to know how many 39 or 39-2 pistols were manufactured / shipped after this pistol and before use of the "A" Prefix .

The last non-prefix serial number in the semi-auto pistol series is reportedly 115500 from 1970. Since the models (39, 41, 46, 52 and rarer variants) were all mixed together in that SN format, there is no documentation as to the breakdown of production numbers, except for the rare ones.

 

[kwill1911]

Your question may be impossible to answer. The Model 39, the Model 39-2 and the Model 52 are all interspersed. A few examples I've recorded:
100494 is a Model 52-1, 109778 is a Model 39, 109978 is a Model 39-2, A120182 is a Model 39 and A120555 is a Model 39-2. I've recorded both 106984 that is a Model 39-2 shipped in 1970 and A106984 that shipped in 1972.

 

[cougar015]

The only thing you can be sure of is you got the last and highest serial number in the 89,XXX Range and for a reasonable price.

 

[gmborkovic]

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. My records indicate that
Sn. 90000 and 90001 were shipped from the Factory. I have to further check the invoices to ascertain the model. To be positive. Sorry for mistake.Dont forget to leave Santa a Martini.

 

[FirebirdV8]

From my research I would suspect that the next serial number is a Model 41. My guess is based on the fact that S/N 90014 is a Model 41. However, with how S&W did serial numbers, I wouldn't bet on my guess.

 

[kwill1911]

FWIW, I agree with you J.D. S&W allocated SNs by blocks. We know 89999 was a Model 39. I have recorded Model 52s in the low 100,000s and several Model 41s in the 90,000s, including 90236. So, I think 90,000 to 99,999 was allocated to Model 41s.

 

[Aussie Collector]

.... I would like to know how many 39 or 39-2 pistols were manufactured / shipped after this pistol and before use of the "A" Prefix .

My answer to this question would be 5001.
The serial range being 105001 through 110000 Plus serial number 90000

 

[cougar015]

My answer to this question would be 5001.
The serial range being 105001 through 110000 Plus serial number 90000

Didn't the model 39 serial numbers go up to and even beyond 120,000?

 

[Aussie Collector]

From my research I would suspect that the next serial number is a Model 41. My guess is based on the fact that S/N 90014 is a Model 41. However, with how S&W did serial numbers, I wouldn't bet on my guess.

Considering the numbering appear to start will #001 then the previous run ends in 000 putting 90000 as a model 39
In the 90001 to 100000 serial number range are 41, 46 and few 41-1s

 

[Aussie Collector]

Didn't the model 39 serial numbers go up to and even beyond 120,000?

Um..yes and no and no. Depending how you look at it.
120000 no
A120000 yes and no. Meaning 39 no 39-2 yes.

 

[kwill1911]

Perhaps I've lost the fox here but I don't know how any exact count is possible. The model numbers (39, 39-2 and 39-2 with the -2 hand stamped through the finish), and the serial numbers (with and without the A prefix), and the features are all intermixed toward the end of the range.

 

[cougar015]

Perhaps I've lost the fox here but I don't know how any exact count is possible. The model numbers (39, 39-2 and 39-2 with the -2 hand stamped through the finish), and the serial numbers (with and without the A prefix), and the features are all intermixed toward the end of the range.

Kevin, I agree with you totally. With Aussie Collectors last few posts, I'm now confused as to what the real question is. There are some 39's that have an 'A' prefix (I own one) and surely some 39-2's without an 'A' prefix. I even have a s/n with an 'A' prefix that has no model number stamped on it. These are probably all transitional guns.

 

[gmborkovic]

Rich, all those variants you mentioned were shipped in the Spring of 1970. Im working off of an initial list that a nice 39 collector sent to me.
Been adding to it. Bork

 

[Aussie Collector]

Kevin, I agree with you totally. With Aussie Collectors last few posts, I'm now confused as to what the real question is. There are some 39's that have an 'A' prefix (I own one) and surely some 39-2's without an 'A' prefix. I even have a s/n with an 'A' prefix that has no model number stamped on it. These are probably all transitional guns.

My belief is the 39-2 came out after the A prefix serial number range introduction. And the 39 stoped before the A serial prefix. Yes there are model 39s with an A prefix these being duplicate serial numbers. If I'm wrong that's ok it's about learning what's right.
Is your A prefix 39 above A120000 or below?

 

[cougar015]

Above. A120184. There is also A120182 and A120183 that I know of.

 

[kwill1911]

Not even close:
106979 Model 39
106984 Model 39-2
A106984 Model 39-2
107014 Model 39
107226 Model 39-2
107382 Model 39
107433 Model 39
107564 Model 39
107627 Model 39
107860 Model 39
107917 Model 39
108003 Model 39
108059 Model 39
108127 Model 39
108239 Model 39
108290 Model 39
108295 Model 39
108476 Model 39
108640 Model 39-2
108677 Model 39
108752 Model 39
108821 Model 39
108918 Model 39
108993 Model 39-2
109000 Model 39-2
109020 Model 39
109214 Model 39
109390 Model 39-2
109422 Model 39
109474 Model 39
109475 Model 39
109554 Model 39
109647 Model 39
109649 Model 39
109763 Model 39
109778 Model 39
109867 Model 39-2
109893 Model 39-2
109978 Model 39-2
A120182 Model 39
A120183 Model 39
A120184 Model 39
A120282 Model 39
A120555 Model 39-2
A120871 Model 39

 

[CalM]

39-2

I have been trying on-line for hours to find the date of manufacture of S&W 39-2, # A 238837. No luck with the
S&W "find the date". website, as it is a mess. Several of you guys, are more helpful, as giving me a lot more info than I had (thank you), but confusing as I think what I got is "chase your tail" exercise due to S&W mixing gun models and serial numbers.
will try one more time. Anybody that can nail down the date, even within a few years. Anyone with one with close date?
Thanks very much, Cal