5906 Early variations

[mbliss57]

I don't see much literature on these kinds of 3rd gen variations. The info in Supica/Nahas SCSW is much more sketchy than the HE sections. That's mostly due to less documented differences/similarities by collectors. I bought a 2nd 5906 S/N TESxxxx as another early example. The one I already own is an earlier example I believe to be from 1989 based on info from the SCSW... S/N TDKxxxx. I actually believe this to be one of the earliest but would like to see someone with an earlier transition toward the 459/ 659.
These 2 early examples are maybe even from the same year..1989-1990. The variations on the 2 guns is interesting. It's somewhat transitional.

TDKxxx 1989

TESxxx 1989 or 1990

Similarities are basically the square "early or 1st trigger guard"
Also all of the 3rd gen 59 series guns will have same s/n sequence. Example 5903/04/05/06 all share the same S/N sequencing So the 5906 S/Ns are not at all sequential. I am sure many of you experts already know this.

Observatons:
TDKxxx has a square trigger
The TESxxxx example has a square trigger guard.
In Supica's book S/N TFTxxx is a round trigger guard 1990/1991
You can also get some info by studying the product codes and years. They are not all that cut & dry though.

TDKxxx had 4 lines including Marca Registradas
TESxxx has 2 lines Smith & Wesson and Springfield MA

TDK has a larger trigger guard front checkering

TDK as a the larger adjustable sight side plates.
The front sight on the earlier is raised and is an integral part of the slide.
TES is fixed sight.. which is not a transition just an option. But the front sight is not cut from the slide stock.

Also the magazine release is slightly different

One other difference TDKxxx has a 14 round magazine and TESxxx was already up to the more common 15 round mag.

I am sure there are other differences and possibly some of you can fill in s/n
and year differences in this early transition. I don't know if there are examples of transitions between these 2 examples. Also from TEsxx to the round trigger guard there may be more transitions. Any help in identifying more of these transitions would be appreciated.

 

[snw19_357]

Wow. That’s a lot in one post. Hopefully I can respond without confusing myself.

S/N TDKxxxx. I actually believe this to be one of the earliest but would like to see someone with an earlier transition toward the 459/ 659.
These 2 early examples are maybe even from the same year..1989-1990. The variations on the 2 guns is interesting. It's somewhat transitional.

I have seen 59xx as low as TCExxx (69xx in TCAxx) and x59’s in the TBW’s.

I have a 459 with a TBU prefix and a 5904 with a TDD prefix.

Similarities are basically the square "early or 1st trigger guard"
Also all of the 3rd gen 59 series guns will have same s/n sequence. Example 5903/04/05/06 all share the same S/N sequencing So the 5906 S/Ns are not at all sequential. I am sure many of you experts already know this.

Definitely. I have seen 5906TSW’s way down in the TDS prefix so they skipped around quite a bit.

Observatons:
TDKxxx has a square trigger
The TESxxxx example has a square trigger guard.
In Supica's book S/N TFTxxx is a round trigger guard 1990/1991
You can also get some info by studying the product codes and years. They are not all that cut & dry though.

I agree, the clear change from square to round is in the TE to TF range but with later round guard TSW pistols in the TD’s, it can drive you nuts.
The product codes and Spec Ord numbers are very helpful. Which reminds me, what does it say in “Features” and what is the Spec Ord number on TDKxxxx?

TDKxxx had 4 lines including Marca Registradas
TESxxx has 2 lines Smith & Wesson and Springfield MA

This will drive you nuts too.
I have a TFM (5924) with the four line but also a TES (5944)with the two.

TDK has a larger trigger guard front checkering

Gees. I don’t have enough problems. You have to point out something I’ve never noticed before?

TDK as a the larger adjustable sight side plates.
The front sight on the earlier is raised and is an integral part of the slide.
TES is fixed sight.. which is not a transition just an option. But the front sight is not cut from the slide stock.

The base is a part of the slide but the front sight is dovetailed into the base.
5904 TEH69xx does have a one piece front sight but, it also has a 2nd gen slide with a separate barrel bushing. It is a 9x21mm though so who knows why a 1990 3rd gen still has a 2nd gen slide.
TES has the later Novak rear sight. The earlier fixed rear sights were different.

I am sure there are other differences and possibly some of you can fill in s/n
and year differences in this early transition. I don't know if there are examples of transitions between these 2 examples. Also from TEsxx to the round trigger guard there may be more transitions. Any help in identifying more of these transitions would be appreciated.

Welcome to the sickness!! Not correcting you. I’m just trying to raise the questions many of us also have.

Sorry about the links to the album too. Posting the pics in the post would make it long and attachments would get confusing.

 

[lawman90]

My 5906 with the squared guard also has the prefix TDK in the serial, I will try and get pictures up in the morning of it. It has the older style rear sight (non adjustable) as well, I really like it. Very low profile. The bead blast is also more of a flat / matte complexion compared to newer 3rd gens too I find.

 

[Grinder]

Some of the very early pistols had an #AIP prefix

 

[guitarguy423]

I LOVE the square trigger guard. Especially in hi-polished with checkered wood grips. Very classic look.

Question - Was the 4 lines of text w/ "Marcas Registradas" an early 3rd gen thing, or is the absence of it an easy indicator of police issue?

 

[snw19_357]

Some of the very early pistols had an #AIP prefix

Like this beat up poor thing?

Question - Was the 4 lines of text w/ "Marcas Registradas" an early 3rd gen thing, or is the absence of it an easy indicator of police issue?

1st, 2nd, and early third gen thing.
All of them went to the two line later.

 

[mbliss57]

Great.. an early example that was actually used... even better. These guns weren't made as eye candy...they had a job to do. They are working class examples.
Does the AIP prefix only for 3rd gens? Why a SN AIP08 why not 008?
Inquiring minds... Is that the 8th 59xx made? I thought that the 2nd gen guns just continued on into t he3rd gen.
Is not a 99% example but it's an example which is way more than I have

 

[Arizona5906]

I don't see much literature on these kinds of 3rd gen variations. The info in Supica/Nahas SCSW is much more sketchy than the HE sections. That's mostly due to less documented differences/similarities by collectors. I bought a 2nd 5906 S/N TESxxxx as another early example. The one I already own is an earlier example I believe to be from 1989 based on info from the SCSW... S/N TDKxxxx. I actually believe this to be one of the earliest but would like to see someone with an earlier transition toward the 459/ 659.
These 2 early examples are maybe even from the same year..1989-1990. The variations on the 2 guns is interesting. It's somewhat transitional.

Similarities are basically the square "early or 1st trigger guard"
Also all of the 3rd gen 59 series guns will have same s/n sequence. Example 5903/04/05/06 all share the same S/N sequencing So the 5906 S/Ns are not at all sequential. I am sure many of you experts already know this.

Observatons:
TDKxxx has a square trigger
The TESxxxx example has a square trigger guard.
In Supica's book S/N TFTxxx is a round trigger guard 1990/1991
You can also get some info by studying the product codes and years. They are not all that cut & dry though.

TDKxxx had 4 lines including Marca Registradas
TESxxx has 2 lines Smith & Wesson and Springfield MA

TDK has a larger trigger guard front

TDK as a the larger adjustable sight side plates.
The front sight on the earlier is raised and is an integral part of the slide.
TES is fixed sight.. which is not a transition just an option. But the front sight is not cut from the slide stock.

Also the magazine release is slightly different

One other difference TDKxxx has a 14 round magazine and TESxxx was already up to the more common 15 round mag.

I am sure there are other differences and possibly some of you can fill in s/n
and year differences in this early transition. I don't know if there are examples of transitions between these 2 examples. Also from TEsxx to the round trigger guard there may be more transitions. Any help in identifying more of these transitions would be appreciated.

I think the 5906 that you show with the Novak fixed sight is not one of the earliest examples of the 5906. I have one that I bought new in 1989 with a non-Novak fixed sight and serial number TCK1XXX. My memory is fuzzy on this but I think the Novak sights appeared the next year. The Trijicon sights in this photo are recent. Incidentally, mine came with the curved grip and I replaced it when S&W had the recall and offered a choice of straight or curved grips.

 

[mbliss57]

That's that's just a little older than mine with the adjustable sights TDKxxx. I think mine is from 1989 but possibly 1990. You don't happen to have an old photo of it do you?
I agree the fixed sight one. TESxxx is probably 1990 maybe 1991.

I was considering lettering mine but that only gives ship dates. I am more interested in the engineering change dates.

 

[snw19_357]

Does the AIP prefix only for 3rd gens?

Yes. The Automatic Improvement Program (AIP ) is what transitioned the 2nd gens to the 3rd gens.
The AIP pistols aren't really transitional but are 'pre-production prototypes'.
I have seen 5904s, 5906s, and 6904s with AIP prefixes so I assume there's 39xx's out there too.

Why a SN AIP08 why not 008?

Because it's AIP08xx.

I thought that the 2nd gen guns just continued on into the 3rd gen.

There were reportedly 23 changes made to the second generation pistols during the AIP. These are the prototypes and when the first production 3rd gens came out, some of them had LOW SERIAL NUMBER under Features on the label.

It's barely a 60% but you know; it still has never jammed, eats everything.

 

[wyatt66]

Great thread. Informative! Thanks everyone.

 

[dreamer65]

just pick up a 5906 leo trade in, SN begins with a TEP35XX, any idea when made thanks guys

 

[mbliss57]

1990 The 5906 was made from 1988/1989 to 1999. SO yours is after the "break in" period but still fairly early. Does it have a squared or rounded trigger guard?

 

[dreamer65]

I have the squared trigger guard