3953 TSW

jframe

jframe

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Latest find. 3953TSW. Three mags, and virtually new and unfired. It came in this little wood box. The box itself is almost art. Fits like a glove, and has black flockin on the bottom. I figure it probably isn't original, but it just looks like such a neat package. Think these TSW guns are a little unusual,but not real sure of the differences over my standard 3953. Anyway, just couldn't pass it up.Sorry it's upside down; can't figure out how to fix from my phone.
 

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That's VERY nice. Love the figured walnut in the lid and now I've got another model to search for. I didn't think I needed a TSW but this model has the old style action that I like and no rail,..........and I already have a couple of the 7rd magazines. Arrrrrrgggggg!

Back to pistol shopping. I thought I was finally done.

The differences are the 7rd inset magazine as opposed to the 8rd in the 3953 and the notched grip. Also the short tang. TSWs usually have the square frame rails but I'm not sure about this one,.....gotta be an early model I think. I'm no expert and have never handled one of these but I do know that it's NICE and I was wrong when I thought I didn't want one. I thought the only TSW I liked was the 4053TSW but it looks like the 3953TSW is cut from the same cloth.
 

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Very nice, congrats.
I had a 3953TSW that had the ugly rail, once. I was sort of new to these guns, and bought it because it was in mint condition. I got rid of it in the classifieds as soon as I could, after realizing what I had done.
I'd love to find a pre rail 3953TSW or even a 3953.
 
TTSH said:
Oh, trust me Bam! :D I'm even broker than broke these days! ;)

But that is a VERY nice custom box. It would fit my 3913 perfectly! :p

Just got to sell a little more of my old, watered-down blood! :p
Click to expand...
I hadn't thought about selling blood !! :) THANKS !!!!
 
Nice Find!

Nice catch, Kave!

The 3953TSW is a close cousin to the 3913TSW, the former being a DA ("Double Action," not "Dumb A . .") and the latter a DA/SA (single action) combo.

The two entered S&W's distribution channels in 1998, the 3953TSW getting the production axe in 2002, while the 3913TSW lasted another four years.

Your "presentation" box is something to keep with that 3953TSW, though something more practical for a regular carry of the "53" is warranted for obvious reasons.

However, if your newly acquired TSW doesn't show heavy use you might want to pop it a couple more times and then shelve it. If it doesn't appear used at all, then keep it that way because it certainly has entered the "collectible" stage of life. Then call me.

Why the "presentation box?"

A best guess is that it most likely was intended from its production get-go to land in the hands of somebody "special" from an appreciative purchaser for whatever celebratory reason.

It's mostly a best-guess scenario when absent of an additional protective cardboard box having coded production particulars thereon. (Um, you wouldn't happen to also have that box, Kave?)

A standalone "TSW" can be an acronym for one of two things: "Team S&W," a late-1980's and early 1990's professional shooting team sponsored by S&W; or, "Tactical S&W," which, in your matter, may have occurred before circa 2000, when a "TSW" was a Smith & Wesson Performance Center gun.

Beginning in 2000, the "TSW" appendage was used to identify third-generation S&W handguns other than Chief's Special, Lady Smith and Value Series models (remember, please, that at the time the 3rd-gen handgun was nearly completely being shown the production door as S&W had joined the polymer party with its Sigma series).

A check of your serial number, Kave, will determine from whence it came.

Again: Nice catch, Man.

Later - DC
 
BAM-BAM said:
It looks like that TSW slide is shorter than a stock 3913?

Could be wrong..... my wife says I am a lot..... :D
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Well, the frame is certainly different toward the rear. :( I see that now. And even with the magazine out, it wouldn't fit. :rolleyes: Not sure about the slide. :o

I didn't win the bidding war anyway. ;) Probably for the best. :p
 
Just to clarify,.....all I did was flip the picture that Mark posted and marvel at HIS new gun. I don't think I have anything quite that nice!
 
Thanks, kave, for flipping the pic for me. I also have a "standard" 3953, although I don't know for how long, and it indeed has a tang on the frame like a small beavertail where this TSW doesn't. Dc, this gun's serial is a MSE prefix, not sure if that tells you anything or not. Based on the info you gave me in your post, would this gun be worth the expense and wait of a factory letter? BTW, thanks for your informative post; I'm aware of your fine collection of Third Gen S&W's, and I am IMPRESSED to say the least!
 
A Certain Uncertain TSW Date

Mark, you are most kind and generous with your remarks, and I thank you.

I, um, kinda sorta got the names of you and Kave a little twisted in my brain. However, should anyone ever have the power to "see" what is inside my brain, they'll discover one seriously twisted thing.

It's kinda like my S&W collection, to which I added two 39s and a 39-2 over the last two weeks. And, hopefully, a 3954 (an all-blue version of the '53) later today. Furthermore, should things progress as I would desire, I'll add still another 39 and 39-2 sometime next week. Oh, and then there's a nickel 59 . . .

See what I mean? Had someone 10-years ago predicted I'd today be standing knee-deep in S&Ws - or any manufacturer's wares of any sort, for that matter - then I would have generated some decent odds because, remember, "twisted" is a way of life for me.

In pursuit of learning your 3953TSW's birthdate I crapped out. Well, at least from my usual first reference: The S&W Gospel according to Jim Supica and Richard Nahas (of course, their effort is best known as "Standard Catalog of Smith&Wesson, 3rd Edition" and, soon, the 4th edition).

Indeed, discovered was a manufacturing date discrepancy between SCSW3 and another well-respected informational source: author S.P. Fjestad's "The Blue Book of Gun Values" (Web edition), this collector's most-frequently referenced source.

The latter notes the 3953TSW's build period as 1998-2002; the former reference pegs the begin date as Y2K (remember that?) and at least through the publication date, 2006.

So, given the mismatched dates, a third source should confirm one of the two, right?

Going back into time for some specious information, the 18th Edition (1994) of the Gun Trader's Guide had 3953/54 production as starting in 1991 - which matched both of the aforementioned sources - but didn't have anything on the TSW versions, which wasn't terribly surprising given the guide was published in 1994.

Mark, I'm up against the wall so, yes, one of Roy Jinks' background reports on your 3953TSW probably would be quite helpful, at least with respect to the above.

Whew! Well, this deal has made my "to-do" list.

Later- DC
 
I notice that right now there are two 3953TSW's on GB,......one early version like Mark's with elongated frame/slide, short tang, round firing pin retainer and no rail. This one will have the older style DAO lock work. Still don't know about the slide rails but everything else points to it being a standard 3953 with the grip modification, a shortened tang and the TSW markings. Something of a transitional model I would say.

The second TSW is a later model with TDA length frame/slide, standard tang, kidney shaped fpr and rail(removed).
 
I too, referenced the 3rd Edition of the Standard Catalog on the serial number, and drew a blank. The three letter prefix starts in 1984 for all products, and the autoloaders begin with a "TAA" prefix. All the autoloaders start with "T" up until 1994, when "V" was used, then '97 when they went to "U", and '98 when they went to "V" again. No "MSE" in the bunch ANYWHERE. I'm thinking a letter is the way to go as well. Are they still a long wait to get these days?
 
I have , and just looked at my 2nd Edition standard catalog and it lists the production date of the 3953TSW 7 rnd. single stack mag no rail with the laser etched "TACTICAL" on the slide as being introduced in 1997 and produced through 1999.
 
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