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.
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.

