I recently acquired a S&W 5906 “MODELO MILITAR” and thought there should be a dedicated thread to collect and share information about this unique 5906 variation.

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 4th Edition lists the Modelo Militar under “Model 5906 – 5906 NS” heading, but it really belongs under the “Model 5906-M Military” heading. The pistol is described as:

“Caliber – 9mm, this is a stainless steel variation with an overall Melonite finish with a Rockwell Surface Hardness of 70C. Almost impervious to corrosion, surface wear and scratches. 15-round magazine, with a frame mounted lanyard stud and serial numbers engraved on the slide, frame and barrel. 4” barrel with Ambidextrous slide mounted decoking lever. 37.5oz. Premium above standard model.”


The product codes and features are listed as follows:
108097 Melonite black finish, Novack FS (Stainless Frame), SLD (Spring Loaded Decocker), RMS (Reversible Magazine Catch), lanyard loop.

108098 Melonite black finish, SLD, Some (not all) marked “Modelo Militar”.

308097 LE/Military sales only 2001 (this product code is basically identical to 108097 except it was shipped with 15-round magazines during the 1994-2004 Clinton Gun Ban).

148865 Slide marked “5906 MILITARY” in lieu of “MODELO MILITAR” and includes what appears to be a Japanese Coast Guard insignia.


5906 Military brochure found in a Latin American version of the S&W catalog (note the product code is 108097):



Production Numbers:
It has been reported that approximately 500 units were made with 320 being sold to South American military/police customers (20 Argentina, 300 Columbia); with the balance being sold to other distributors including Lew Horton, J&G Sales, and Desportes Salvador Co in Puerto Rico.

Lew Horton - received 20 units of 108098, and 3 units of 148865
J&G Sales - unknown quantity
Desportes Salvador Co - received 100 units of 108098

Lew Horton Production Letter for 108098 (LJF1987)



The MODELO MILITAR was originally slated for international sales so the box is typically of the red, white, and blue S&W export variety.




Known Serial Number Prefixes:
KJF - No information (interesting note, the KJF prefix is shared with the domestic 5906 Super 9's and some 4566 that have a melonite finish)
LJF - Reported serial number prefix for Columbian contract
MJF - Observed serial number prefix
RLF - Observed serial number prefix for product code 148865

Value
It is hard to place a good value on the MODELO MILITAR because so few come up for sale, however according to the Blue Book of Gun Values 34th Edition, it has a 100% premium over the standard 5906. Auction results for the last few years can be seen further down in the post.


MODELO MILITAR Images
KJF44xx


KJF4462


LJF1934


LJF1987


LJF1995 Left


LJF1995 Right


LJF2026


LJF2027 (aftermarket grips requiring removal of lanyard stud)


LJF2028


MJF1115




RLFxxxx Right


RLFxxxx Left


RLFxxxx Insignia


Japanese Coast Guard (why would the "5906 MILITARY" be in English?)
MILITARY in Japanese


MODELO MILITAR Threads
WTK: 5906 MODELO MILITAR

5906M Question

5906 military version

what is a 5906 MILITARY model?


5906TSW Addendum
Smith & Wesson also produced a factory demo 5906TSW that had a Melonite finish and a lanyard ring, this may have been the only one produced.

BDJ9172



Auction Results 2021

LJF1995


LJF2027 - This one has a twist, about $1,075 worth of work done to make it a Performance Center Hybrid. Take away the PC stuff and your looking at a $1,070 Modelo Militar.


LJF1995 - Listed as new old stock


Auction Results 2022

LJF1995


LJF1995 - For the 4th time


Auction Results 2024

MJF1115



If you have more information on the 5906 MODELO MILITAR Military Model or a picture you would like to share, please add it to this thread and I will incorporate it into the original post.

I just acquired a M5906 melonite product code 108097. The "date" code on it is "4444" which does not follow the normal format. Any ideas on the date of manufacture?

Attached Images

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The SCSW shows the military model (#308097) as being produced only in 2001. As I understand it the only difference between the 308097 and the 108097 is the magazine capacity. During the Clinton gun ban only the military and law enforcement could receive 15RD magazines, civilians were stuck with 10RD mags.

The letter I received from Lew Horton on my 108098 shows that they received it from S&W in 2002, but it was likely produced before that.

This leads me to believe that the 5906 Melonite/Military models were all produced around the 2001 time frame.

Thank you for the information. I noticed that the label of the 108098 you have has the same spec code of 4444.

Finally got some auction results on a Modelo Militar (sort of), information added to the original post.

For the 5906TSW Addendum, Jerry Miculek very briefly mentions the one he is shooting in a YouTube video. He said the performance shop had them and I believe he said they were Mexican Army SF pistols. I cannot remember if he has they were over run or a failed bid. He uses it as a demo gun perks of being a S&W sponsored shooter.

The thumbnail has the gun and it is different. It has forward slide serrations. My mistake.

rare unicorn guns.......loved the video. never gonna find one of those for sale near me. just have to find a regular 5906 or keep my 915. S&W should have kept making the "value series" guns at the very least. Even though Polymer guns are selling well, some metal would bring good $$ for the company too, wouldnt you think?

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm