459~5904 transition, the (T)A-B-Cs

[snw19_357]

I find it interesting to see so many differences in three pistols so close together in serial number and dates.

From bottom to top:

459....TAY84xx...05/29/1987...round guard, sideplate on right, "slide stop button" riveted on, allen head manual safety screw
459....TBU21xx...05/26/1988...square guard, sideplate on left, "slide stop button" part of sideplate, phillips head manual safety screw
5904...TCA77xx...10/16/1988...all third gen

Interesting (to me) that both the three letter 459's came with stainless mags, blued basplates with only S&W on them, no "A", no "9mm".
Everything I have before all have the "9mm", "A", "S&W" on the baseplates.
3rd gens seemed to have gone back to blued mags, at least for awhile.

 

[GoodMornin]

Thanks for posting this, BTW, the pictures make it look like the 459's have a slightly longer barrel than the 5904, are they?

 

[jun225]

Thanks for the post. I too have often wondered why the "variants" and none to identify one from the other. Just plain 459.

Mine was acquired around 1988, TBN77XX, square guard, stainless mags with S&W at the plate, phillips head on right side safety. So same as most 459 except that the rear sight is simple, non-adjustable combat type.

Jun