Model 39 (non -2) Picture Thread

[Goony]

This example is in the 8000 serial number range. Of note are the early style rearward slide serrations and truncated curved slide relief cut.

 

[Model39]

Late Model 39 (no Dash) 100000 Range Aftermarket Engraved

Model 39 Aftermarket Engraved (Unknown Engraver) with Keith Brown Birdseye Maple Grips.

 

[Cyrano]

Here's mine. Goony: you can see I've figured out how to size pictures and post thumbnails. Thanks for your help.

First is SN 35584. Note the slide serrations are at the rear. It came to me with the MMC sights shown. It also came without the magazine disconnector which I have since replaced. Evidently it was someone's carry gun.

The somewhat ratty box is unusual. It is an earlier one with solid borders instead of hatched. It has no label but is stamped on the other end for a Model 39. The box is bigger: 9 ½" by 6 ½", rather than the normal size of 8" by 6 ½". The serial number and '9mm' is written on the bottom with white or silver grease pencil.

Next is SN 80090. It came with the S&W sights adjustable for windage and elevation. It has been used fairly hard, and has a little pitting at the rear of the slide; possibly carried in the rain. I inflicted the indignity of painting the front sight with white nail polish.

 

[Goony]

Here's a late example of a Model 39, all the way up in the 105000 serial number range. Unlike the early guns, this one has grooves on the frame for mounting the accessory dustcover. This characteristic persisted well into Model 39-2 production.

 

[625smith]

Here is my ISP no dash 39.

 

[Craig19]

Very nice pics, I really like the 39s.

 

[Goony]

Does anyone have a picture of a nickeled 39 no dash to share?

 

[olwogo]

Here's a deal I fell into. Didn't really want it, until I saw it! Just got it last week. Stripped hrer down and deep-cleaned it. Can't wait to shoot it! It came with 2 extra S&W factiory mags!

Sorry guys didn't read the no Dash.

 

[ispcapt]

Here is my ISP no dash 39.

Yours came out a bit after mine. It would have probably been first issue in 1969-70 time frame. If it was issued out of sequence it could have been issued in 1967-68.
Mine has serial # 106XXX with ISP # just under 1000.

 

[Goony]

Yours came out a bit after mine. It would have probably been first issue in 1969-70 time frame. If it was issued out of sequence it could have been issued in 1967-68. Mine has serial # 106XXX with ISP # just under 1000.

Of note is that both of these ISP 39's have the transitional type extractor. I believe in another thread it was stated that this modification was adopted at the ISP's insistence.

My gun in the high 105000 range still sports the standard 39 extractor, so the question I would have is in the very late Model 39 serial number range, was this transitional extractor configuration limited to ISP issue, or can ordinary commercial examples also be found so equipped?

 

[snw19_357]

Of note is that both of these ISP 39's have the transitional type extractor. I believe in another thread it was stated that this modification was adopted at the ISP's insistence.

My understanding of the ISP Model 39's is that they were returned to S&W and retro fit with that 'broken' extractor because when they received a later order, they were 39-2s, and they didn't want two different extractors. (Even though they obviously wouldn't have been interchangeable.)
The front half is pinned and has spring tension, like a 39-2, and the back half more or less just filled a space.
Due to the rework, a lot of these ISP 39s have the serial number stamped under the rear sight.

My gun in the high 105000 range still sports the standard 39 extractor, so the question I would have is in the very late Model 39 serial number range, was this transitional extractor configuration limited to ISP issue, or can ordinary commercial examples also be found so equipped?

I don't know if it can be considered a transitional because they were done after the 39-2s extractor was out but, it I am also very interested to hear if any commercial examples are out there with this style extractor.

 

[ispcapt]

It's possible there are some ISP stamped 39-nothings out there without the modified extractor. Mine is one of the first issued in 1968 and it was issued with the modified extractor. The modification was made prior to the 39-2 coming on line. It was done as a preventative measure as there was a history of the older long extractor breaking.
The 39-nothing modified extractor is completely different design than the 39-2 extractor. There was more to the modification than simply sticking in a different extractor. I personally always preferred the modified 39-nothing extractor as it had a larger claw which gripped more of the case rim. I never heard of a problem with the 39-2 extractors slipping the rim but I always went with "mo is better".

 

[SonnyCrockett]

Hatin on dashes LOL

I have a dash 2......love it.....whats the difference between the 39 and the 39-2 ?

 

[Goony]

I have a dash 2......love it.....whats the difference between the 39 and the 39-2 ?

The extractor configuration is what differentiates the two.

The 39 has a large extractor that serves as its own spring and is retained partly by that intrinsic tension, but mostly by butting up against the safety lever.

The 39-2 has a smaller, more conventional extractor that requires a small coil spring underneath to function and a transverse pin to both hold it in place and serve as a pivot point. Counterintuitively, this latter design was adopted as being supposedly more satisfactory from the standpoint of durability.

 

[snw19_357]

Mine is one of the first issued in 1968 and it was issued with the modified extractor. The modification was made prior to the 39-2 coming on line. It was done as a preventative measure as there was a history of the older long extractor breaking.

Very interesting. Thanks for the info.

Sounds like it was the forerunner to the 39-2 extractor and makes me wonder even more if there could be some commercial 39s with that two piece ISP style extractor.

 

[Engine49guy]

Model 39 serial no# 68490
Next to Steel frame 539, Transitional 39-2, blue 39-2, nickel 39-2, Nickel 59 and two blued 59's.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

Finally! A picture! Thought this was supposed to be a "picture" thread.

 

[sophie]

Nice pictures of 39's. Some good info too.



______
James

 

[FirebirdV8]

My 39 No Dash that I have posted pictures of before.

My 39 next to a 39-2 showing the differences in the extractors.

 

[Goony]

I have a question - the gospel regarding the Model 39 is that its extractor design was superceded by the 39-2's because of the former's alleged fragility. Has anyone here ever actually experienced (or witnessed) a 39 extractor failure, though?

The one part I have seen fracture (this being on a 39-2) is the safety lever, and it separated completely, sending the left half out into the weeds somewhere.