Saw a model 39 steel for sale on GB. Looks NIB, but I am not familiar with what these guns are supposed to look like. It looks too good to be true. I know I can't post the link here, but can anyone enlighten me on what to look for? Price, serial number range, markings, etc. Thanks
Model 39 steel - For real?
- Thread starter wingsfan
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If it says it's steel-it probably is! ask the seller? it's easy peasy to do there and they'll not sell much ever again if it's a lie! Price is a big variable. I found several and missed each one over little timing issues. they also show up on AL too-not everyday but i only looked for a 39 for a couple months and plenty around-some bargains, some asking too much, some paying too much. Honestly even at todays prices they're a good value compared to some of the modern junky guns I see in box gun stores with plastic and -rant over... lots of tires-these days cost more than my fine model 39.
I'm not overly familiar with the 39, but I have done some comparisons vs my model 439. Both weapons look almost identical other than the actual finish (mine is nickel plated, most aren't) and the sight, the 39 has a fixed sight where as the 439 is adjustable. Also the standard 39 is only a single action, if it has the model number 39-2 it is a single action/double action.
As far as what to look for on the finish it will only come blued with a wooden grip and an exposed hammer. The safety is on the same side as the rail release (the left side) as well as the mag release (located at the top of the left grip) I'm sorry if im not much help, just figured if share what I know, which isn't a whole lot ha ha
As far as what to look for on the finish it will only come blued with a wooden grip and an exposed hammer. The safety is on the same side as the rail release (the left side) as well as the mag release (located at the top of the left grip) I'm sorry if im not much help, just figured if share what I know, which isn't a whole lot ha ha
If it is a steel model 39 - it is a rare gun. Only 927 made according to SWSC.
jimbo728
Member
Early 39 pistols were indeed DA/SA.
Jim
Jim
DocB
Member
Got a 39-2 made in 1978 late last year. It was new in the box with all the paperwork and stuff. Paid $500 out the door and was glad to get one so nice. It's basically a Walther P-38 WWII design and a really good gun. The all-steel ones are just so rare. I've never seen one.
The all steel ones were called the model 44.
Engine49guy
Member
The original pre model 39 had a steel frame, IIRC some steel frames were discovered in the vault and marked then sold as Model 39's.
The Model 52, 52-1 and 52-2 all had steel frames but there was no steel frame version of the Model 39-2.
The aluminum frame 439 was also offered with a SS frame and slide as the Model 639 and a very small run of carbon steel frame versions were offered in nickel or blue as the Model 539.
The Model 52, 52-1 and 52-2 all had steel frames but there was no steel frame version of the Model 39-2.
The aluminum frame 439 was also offered with a SS frame and slide as the Model 639 and a very small run of carbon steel frame versions were offered in nickel or blue as the Model 539.
I don't think so. The ten (yes 10) single action variants of the Model 39 were called the Model 44.
There were three groups of steel Model 39s. The first was in the 39,000 range, the second in the 60,000 to 64,000 serial number range and the third was in the 81,000 to 82,000 range. Obviously there were a lot of alloy framed guns in these ranges too, as only 927 steel framed guns were made.
THE PILGRIM
Member
Have heard of steel 39s.
I know folks who have told me that They have seen them.
But I have never seen one.
I think it's very unlikely that this a genuine steel 39.
I know folks who have told me that They have seen them.
But I have never seen one.
I think it's very unlikely that this a genuine steel 39.
jimbo728
Member
Maybe it`s a 539?
Nope, just looked at it. Could be authentic but I wonder about the - prefix. Also noticed that the safety is not the stubby one that was worn by the early Model 39`s.
Nope, just looked at it. Could be authentic but I wonder about the - prefix. Also noticed that the safety is not the stubby one that was worn by the early Model 39`s.
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The steel frame should have a short tang at the rear, too.
Let's dispel all the rumors, mis-information and hearsay to support the few members that posted accurate answers:
All pre 39's are on alloy frames, as are all of the 39 and all of 39-2 except for 900 and some odd made in 3 different production runs on steel frames. ALL of the above were ALL double action. Only the very early pre-39's had an extremely short safety. There were a few revisions of the safety arm as there were also revisions of the magazine, the very early mags having a flat follower similar to a pre-Model 70 1911 Colt magazine, as well as other subtle revisions. Only 10 (or less, as not many are accounted for) were Single Action only. Those single actions were released as the Model 44 and worth a small fortune if you can find one.
Steel frame 9mms both as the model 39 and the double stack 147A are coveted by true S&W collectors. Box and papers on a pre-39 (including the original green 9mm booket) are worth appx. $500.00 (just the box and paper but MUST have the green booklet to be worth that). I missed a sn range 33xxx, (similar to the one I have shown but a version newer) 39 box on ebay about a a month ago, with no papers and no booklet in nice condition sold for just under $300.00. I was the 2nd highest bidder on that as I never thought it could possibly go any higher than $280.00, well, it did. Again that was a very nice condition box about a 90% box but JUST the box, nothing else included.
Here is pre-39 SN: 18xx
All pre 39's are on alloy frames, as are all of the 39 and all of 39-2 except for 900 and some odd made in 3 different production runs on steel frames. ALL of the above were ALL double action. Only the very early pre-39's had an extremely short safety. There were a few revisions of the safety arm as there were also revisions of the magazine, the very early mags having a flat follower similar to a pre-Model 70 1911 Colt magazine, as well as other subtle revisions. Only 10 (or less, as not many are accounted for) were Single Action only. Those single actions were released as the Model 44 and worth a small fortune if you can find one.
Steel frame 9mms both as the model 39 and the double stack 147A are coveted by true S&W collectors. Box and papers on a pre-39 (including the original green 9mm booket) are worth appx. $500.00 (just the box and paper but MUST have the green booklet to be worth that). I missed a sn range 33xxx, (similar to the one I have shown but a version newer) 39 box on ebay about a a month ago, with no papers and no booklet in nice condition sold for just under $300.00. I was the 2nd highest bidder on that as I never thought it could possibly go any higher than $280.00, well, it did. Again that was a very nice condition box about a 90% box but JUST the box, nothing else included.
Here is pre-39 SN: 18xx
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Engine49guy
Member
To be 100% accurate 927 steel "Pre Model 39" frames were produced first c. mid 1950's but placed in storage .
IIRC the Military had expressed interest in replacing the 1911 with a 9mm autoloader so S&W made these up to compete in trials ,
IIRC the interest then supposedly shifted to an aluminum frame 9mm handgun leading Colt to develop a 9mm Airweight commander version of their 1911 around the same time.
Those early steel frames were stored (perhaps in case the military reopened their interest in a steel frame 9mm replacement for the 1911) and the decision was made to produce the alloy frame version of the S&W 9mm automatic handgun (future Model 39) for the civilian market.
The first commercially sold pre 39s had alloy frames beginning with serial 1001,
The older steel pre 39 frames were pulled from storage and assembled as whole guns in 1966 with current uppers and serial numbered in the current range for 1966.
Being the original "Pre 39" frames those early steel frames had the same early short tang .
IIRC the Military had expressed interest in replacing the 1911 with a 9mm autoloader so S&W made these up to compete in trials ,
IIRC the interest then supposedly shifted to an aluminum frame 9mm handgun leading Colt to develop a 9mm Airweight commander version of their 1911 around the same time.
Those early steel frames were stored (perhaps in case the military reopened their interest in a steel frame 9mm replacement for the 1911) and the decision was made to produce the alloy frame version of the S&W 9mm automatic handgun (future Model 39) for the civilian market.
The first commercially sold pre 39s had alloy frames beginning with serial 1001,
The older steel pre 39 frames were pulled from storage and assembled as whole guns in 1966 with current uppers and serial numbered in the current range for 1966.
Being the original "Pre 39" frames those early steel frames had the same early short tang .
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splitting hairs
A "pre-39" denotes a 9mm of that style that is VOID of any model number.
Whenever the frames were made is speculation plus or minus a few years. Dwayne Charron (who was "the" entire R&D department as S&W) was the grandaddy of all post war S&W semi-auto pistols.
Also, S&W hardly ever threw anything away that they can sell.
All those steel frames shipped as "MODEL 39", thus, they are not pre-39's no matter how you want to split it. If you'd like to say the frames were manufactured earlier than the series it was released as, so be it.
Further, only those frames were stored, the blank, empty, uncleaned and untrimmed raw frames, save perhaps a few of the X-R&D models that were in progress at the time.
When assembled and produced they had that current year vintage mechanics including the safety lever. Remember that safety lever went through several revisions. The picture I posted has the original "short" definitive, real "Pre-39" safety lever.
The 6x,xxx range steel frames may have a "shorter" safety lever than a 39-2 (maybe not) but the steel frame released and sold do not have "the" 1st model Pre Model number stamped 9mm short safety lever.
A "pre-39" denotes a 9mm of that style that is VOID of any model number.
Whenever the frames were made is speculation plus or minus a few years. Dwayne Charron (who was "the" entire R&D department as S&W) was the grandaddy of all post war S&W semi-auto pistols.
Also, S&W hardly ever threw anything away that they can sell.
All those steel frames shipped as "MODEL 39", thus, they are not pre-39's no matter how you want to split it. If you'd like to say the frames were manufactured earlier than the series it was released as, so be it.
Further, only those frames were stored, the blank, empty, uncleaned and untrimmed raw frames, save perhaps a few of the X-R&D models that were in progress at the time.
When assembled and produced they had that current year vintage mechanics including the safety lever. Remember that safety lever went through several revisions. The picture I posted has the original "short" definitive, real "Pre-39" safety lever.
The 6x,xxx range steel frames may have a "shorter" safety lever than a 39-2 (maybe not) but the steel frame released and sold do not have "the" 1st model Pre Model number stamped 9mm short safety lever.
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Engine49guy
Member
We are on the same page,
Steel frame Model 39's are 1966 era Model 39 slide assemblies mated to 1955 era carbon steel short tang frames.
Steel frame Model 39's are 1966 era Model 39 slide assemblies mated to 1955 era carbon steel short tang frames.
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