I called Smith and Wesson today to see what year a 659 was manufactured, and was rather surprised by the response, so I wanted to see if any of the guys who have the book could double check that for me. The serial number is TAB 2213, and the Smith CS rep told me it was made in 1991. Was the 659 even still in production then?

Catalog says prod from 1982-1988.....says that prefix dates to 1984.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Thanks, that's more along the lines of what I thought.wonder why Smith guy told me 1991?

Check out the 6590 thread that's currently alive.

There is some overlap between the 659, 6590 and the 5906. there's one marked 659 that has 6590 on the box label from 1991.

I think I would just enjoy knowing I had one of the last 659s.

Pictures???

The 659 marked pistol that BruceB is referring to with the box labeled 6590 was shipped in late 1988, the RSR 6590 marked pistols were built/shipped in 1991, but were stamped as 6590, not 659. Maybe yours was shipped in 1991, wouldn't be the first pistol shipped out way after it was built....you never know. The serial prefix does however put it in the 1984 build range.