Model 39 Steel S/N
- Thread starter mtmbrab
- Start date
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Be careful of sellers using the magnet test. Inside that alloy frame are steel parts. A magnet will look like it's sticking to the frame when actually it's attracted to the steel parts inside.
I was at a gun show many years ago and saw a seller demonstrating to a potential buyer that he was getting a real steel frame 39-2. That should have been the first clue. He was asking about 4 times what a typical used 39-2 was bringing at the time. He put a magnet to the frame and it stuck. Either the dealer didn't really know or he was trying to scam unsuspecting buyers. In this case I'm thinking scammer. He showed the potential buyer a single piece of white paper with what he claimed was a list of serial numbers for steel frame 39s. The gun he was selling was listed and highlighted. Nothing else on the paper but a column of numbers.
I was at a gun show many years ago and saw a seller demonstrating to a potential buyer that he was getting a real steel frame 39-2. That should have been the first clue. He was asking about 4 times what a typical used 39-2 was bringing at the time. He put a magnet to the frame and it stuck. Either the dealer didn't really know or he was trying to scam unsuspecting buyers. In this case I'm thinking scammer. He showed the potential buyer a single piece of white paper with what he claimed was a list of serial numbers for steel frame 39s. The gun he was selling was listed and highlighted. Nothing else on the paper but a column of numbers.
The steel shipped box will have steel printed on the end label.
It is a short tang frame.
Test with a magnet on frame with slide and mag removed.
Or, just weigh it on a digital scale!
It is a short tang frame.
Test with a magnet on frame with slide and mag removed.
Or, just weigh it on a digital scale!
I have a list of most steel frame 39's by invoice. PM me with your exact number and maybe I can verify it.
For me, the dead giveaway was the shortened tang. Recently there was a 39 advertised on guns.com and priced like an alloy 39 with no mention of it being a steel frame. But the short tang was evident. The serial number was in the range of a steel framed 39 as well. After checking with cougar015 I purchased the gun. Let’s say I got a steal on a steel framed 39…
Demko4 the only guns with a short tang are Xguns, M44, Pre 39 or steel frames and each of them is easily identifiable as to which it is. You got a great deal on your steel frame.
Just for my own edification, I weighed a steel 63043 and an alloy 63235.
For one thing the short tang and finish of the frame jump out at you.
Steel 36.15 oz. (2lbs. 4.1oz.)
Alloy 28.15 oz. (1lb. 12.2oz.)
For one thing the short tang and finish of the frame jump out at you.
Steel 36.15 oz. (2lbs. 4.1oz.)
Alloy 28.15 oz. (1lb. 12.2oz.)
