Devel 39 and 59 need help

mbliss57

mbliss57

US Veteran
Silver Supporter
Joined
Jan 1, 2012
Messages
5,360
Reaction score
8,564
Location
Desert South West
Anyone know how many Devel made of each 39 & 59 and if they came from Devel in original SW box?

Also anyone have prices that are current on either.
I am at the SWCA Convention and there are one of each here.
I have always wanted one and an Asp.These are the 1st I have ever seen.

Any info is helpful

Mike
 
Register to hide this ad
No idea how many of each were made. In fact, I don't recall ever seeing a quess in print.

You might want to call Wayne Novak at his shop in Parkersburg WV. He collects Devel guns and was a friend of the late Charles Kelsey. He also owns a large collection of Devel guns.

The only Devel box I've ever seen was for a Devel model 59. It was the standard blue cardboard S&W 59 box with a square white label on the top, which IIRC said "Devel 59" in red block letters. Hope this helps! Regards 18DAI
 
Hey MBLISS, I to saw the Devels on the table out of my price range! Usualy Dave Caroll is pretty close on prices. I think he was around $2500 I bought a really nice Devel 59 from him 5 years ago paid $1400 the magazines I have seen trade hands recently for $375 each new in wrapping. Hope this helps!
 
I would agree that $2500 seems to be what people are asking. If you want an ASP, you'll have to pony up a little more. For some reason, they seem to be a little more in-demand. Having owned both, I would suggest a DEVEL over an ASP if you actually want to shoot the gun. To say the ASP's Guttersnipe sight "takes some getting used to" is an understatement.
 
Last edited:
I agree with Koz the Devel is fun to shoot but my ASP is well different when you were taught to line up front and rear sights it takes some practice with the ASP guttersight
 
I checked my information The Smith & Wesson 39 variations
It states in 1964 Paris Theodor produced some 250 guns under Seventrees Ltd then went out of business, in 1976 ASP took over and production continued until 1987 production was approx. 3000 guns, guns were shipped with 3 mags and modifications cost was $700 in 1982. There was also later produced ASP Quest For Excellence with production at 100 units they came with Buffalo horn grips, presentation book case and letter opener.

The Devel was produced by Charles Kelsey and Ken Hackathorn and was introduced in 1978.
There were 3 levels of work for Devels
1st level was function and reliability modifactions
2nd level was called Basic
Shortened frame
Barell cut to 3 1/2 inches
Slide cut back 1/2 inch
Permanent bushing to slide
Feed roller ramp added
Custom springs
Red front sight insert
Modified tang, hammer spur removed, flared mag port,
Devel electrolysis nickel finish
3rd level was Full House
All previous mods plus see thru micarta grip
Slide lighting cuts reduced weight
Modified trigger guard
Ambidextrous safety
Belt, holster, mag carrier, 3 mags,
Some time later these were available for the S&W model 59 and 459 pistols.

In august 1983 S&W put the model 469 into production and within a year the Devel company went out of business after modifying approximately 450 guns

I know i have been rambling on but I enjoy the oddball stuff.

By the way there are 39 and 59 pistols modified by Austin Behlert of New Jersey and Personal Protection Systems of Roseville Michigan produced these models called the Scorpion. I do not know any production numbers for these 2 companies.

Hope this helps!
Steve
 
Thanks guys that is a big help... and big $.
I am of 2 minds as I collect on two fronts.. The SW semi autos and the 1950s j frames. There are The Devels and the pre 37 with red box and aluminum cylinder available form same vendor. Both are rare not scarce..choices...
I personally want the Devel 39 conversion. They had to have made the fewest and it looks like a sweet CW pistol.
 
Last edited:
mbliss57 said:
You are not playing fair! both Devels conversions here are full house conversions... bit no mags.
Click to expand...

Mags are pretty pricey, and are difficult to track down. I found an extra DEVEL 59 mag years ago, and bought it for $150. I personally wouldn't pay $2500 for a DEVEL that didn't have at least one original mag. Now if you can score the 59 for a reduced price, you can use 469/669 mags in it. They fit perfectly.
 
Well I bought the 39 Devel.. I will need to sell 3 other guns to pay for it but our unbridled lust for cool things couldn't keep my check book in my pocket.
Devel 39 full like conversion with 3 mags. 39-2 s/n Axxxxxx Then- 063 from Devel.
No pics as it has to be shipped. But I would have kicked myself if I had left it here..
 
Last edited:
Seems you can't look anywhere without the name of Ken Hackathorn coming up... That's a mighty good thing.

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
 
Devels etc.

I collect S&W 39 and its conversions. Have been lucky to assemble an almost complete set of Devels, including a chromed option. Missing only two - 59 F&R and 59 Basic (if anybody has them, happy to trade). Several are in boxes, numbered to the original S&W guns that were converted. The leather (holsters and mag pouches) were usually (but not always) numbered to the guns and fitted to them individually. Kelsey was a great innovator and was ahead of his time.
I must say that the best of Trapper Guns (in numbered wood cases) are great, and the Behlert Mini 39 with molded grips is quite something. Behlert 59 is rather crude, though...
Lets not forget that ASP was there first, and Kelsey only started developing Devel after having waited for six months for his ASP delivery.
There was something in Model 39 that inspired some of the best gunsmiths.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

gjamison
Model 39-2 devel?
Replies
6
Views
658
gmborkovic
G
G
Need help on ISP m-39s
Replies
3
Views
349
gmborkovic
G
O
Need some opinions/advice Model 39-2
Replies
13
Views
867
VASCAR2
V
R
I need help identifying 7 round 9mm mags
Replies
4
Views
519
JohnHL
J
D
Model 59
2 3
Replies
40
Views
3K
oberon
O

Latest posts

Back
Top