Early Model 39 Serial No.

TRH · Nov 23, 2008

I know this has been discussed many times before, but I might have an opportunity to buy an early Model 39 that would be legal for sale in California--provided that the gun is at least 50 years old and therefore a curio or relic. The four digit serial number is 232x, and I need to find out whether this gun was manufactured in November of 1958 or earlier. Thanks for any help you can give.

Terry

CTPete · Nov 23, 2008

In order for it to be C&R, the gun would have had to be "shipped" in Nov. of 1958 or earlier. If you call S&W cust. service, they can probably tell you right away.

Frank53 · Nov 23, 2008

Originally posted by ted1trading:
In order for it to be C&R, the gun would have had to be "shipped" in Nov. of 1958 or earlier. If you call S&W cust. service, they can probably tell you right away.

Not to argue, but I don't believe that is true. The regs state "manufactured". Firearm could have been in a warehouse for years and then shipped. But if it was "manufactured" 50 years ago, I believe it is C&R eligible. A call to ATFE would be the best verification of this. Of course, with S&W, their SNs do relate to shipping dates, so it may be difficult to actually figure out a manufacture date. I would imagine it would be eligible..I had a 39 with serial number 6677 that was "shipped" in 1958 but only contact with S&W will confirm your serial number.

(To be recognized by ATF as a C&R firearm, a firearm must fall into at least one of the following three categories:

1. Firearms which were manufactured more than 50 years prior to the current date, but not including replicas thereof;

CTPete · Nov 23, 2008

Not to argue, but I don't believe that is true. The regs state "manufactured". Firearm could have been in a warehouse for years and then shipped. But if it was "manufactured" 50 years ago, I believe it is C&R eligible.

Frank53, You may be correct, but I have always been of the impression that S&W cannot supply MFG dates, just shipping dates. That is why we have always used the shipping date at the documented date for a 50 year old C&R.

Frank53 · Nov 23, 2008

ted1trading,
You are also correct when we speak of S&W firearms..anyone else stipulates "manufactured" date, whereas S&W is always "shipped" date...guess we both are right (or wrong!!)

Back to the original post..if S&W can verify that it was shipped Nov of 58 (or earlier) then it was certainly manufactured at least in Nov of 58 but in all practicality, probably prior to that. Clear as mud? But a call to S&W should give you the date...be interested in knowing when that sn was in fact shipped.

oldrip57 · Nov 24, 2008

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson is less than definite about your serial number. Basically, it only states that those with an A prefix begin in 1970. Thus, if yours has no A prefix, it is pre-1970. However, the pre-1970 range is from 1001 (1954) to 115000 (1970). I assume the fewer the digits, the earlier it would be. So, yours -- with 4 digits -- appears to be very early -- but only S&W can verify that. And, I think Mr. Jinks has retired.

H Richard · Nov 30, 2008

If the S/N falls between 1001 and 2600 with an alloy frame, it would have been made and shipped in the early 50's and "should" be eligible for C&R. Only a confirmation from the factory or Historian Roy Jinks will be accurate. Since S&W did not and does not log Mfg. dates, the "shipping" date is considered the eligibility date for C&R.

JudgeColt · Nov 30, 2008

Wouldn't serial number 232X be early enough to be a "Pre-39? Since model numbers did not come in until 1958, you can safe in knowing that any "Pre-39" will be more than 50 years old.

I have a Pre-39 in the 15XX range and it letters as having been shipped April 9, 1956. I think it is likely that more than 800 9mm Double Action Automatics were made before November 1958 so 232X HAS to be over 50 years old now.

Does my logic seem correct?

TRH · Dec 7, 2008

Thanks to everyone who responded. All responses were consistent with what the seller eventually was told by S&W, which is that by 1958 the Model 39 serial numbers were in the 8000 range. However, even before the seller called S&W, my FFL transfer agent had already agreed to receive the gun as a C&R based on the strength of your responses here and others that I was able to find in the S&W Forum archives. As to the pre-39 issue, that's an interesting question that I don't as yet have an answer to but would like to know more about.

Terry

Early Model 39 Serial No.

TRH

CTPete

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Frank53

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CTPete

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Frank53

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oldrip57

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H Richard

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JudgeColt

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TRH

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