5906 military version

[BLUEBELLYYANKEE]

Anybody seen one of these? What can someone tell me about it. It is new and unfired. I have obscured the serial number that is stamped on the frame and the number is also laser etched on the right side of the slide, frame, barrel hood.

 

[K9 Rex]

The only info. I have is that they are stainless steel with a Melonite finish that is extremely durable. Seems they were only made in 2001, and are worth slightly more than a standard 5906. My speculation is they were made for export and either the ones here are overruns, or the deal fell through and S&W put the ones already manufactured on the market. They are really neat pistols in any case. I have a soft spot for 3rd Gen. S&W's. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me on the Forum will have better info.

 

[BLUEBELLYYANKEE]

I just looked at the label on the plastic box that the gun came in and the label gives a product code of 148865 and Spec. Ord. 8865. Any help on this gun is appreciated.

 

[BADSBSNF811]

Your best bet would be to get it lettered.

 

[POL]

The only info. I have is that they are stainless steel with a Melonite finish that is extremely durable. Seems they were only made in 2001, and are worth slightly more than a standard 5906. My speculation is they were made for export and either the ones here are overruns, or the deal fell through and S&W put the ones already manufactured on the market. They are really neat pistols in any case. I have a soft spot for 3rd Gen. S&W's. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me on the Forum will have better info.

I think you are right my friend, it´s a gun shop in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Take a look
The only thing looks a little bit "strange" for me is the inscription "modelo militar" spanish translation of "military model"

.: Full Aventura :. - Club de Tiro Independencia - Pistolas usadas - Smith & Wesson 5906 9 mm

 

[shawn mccarver]

The only info. I have is that they are stainless steel with a Melonite finish that is extremely durable. Seems they were only made in 2001, and are worth slightly more than a standard 5906. My speculation is they were made for export and either the ones here are overruns, or the deal fell through and S&W put the ones already manufactured on the market. They are really neat pistols in any case. I have a soft spot for 3rd Gen. S&W's. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me on the Forum will have better info.

Prior to seeing these pictures, I knew of two versions. The one they marketed in the US was called the 5906M, and it was advertised for a brief time by the LEO/Military sales sides of S&W and did not have the slide marking lasered like yours. There was also a version made with the marking Modelo Militar, or something along those lines. If I recall, some of these 5906Ms were sold through J&G Sales and perhaps other distributors, when S&W had a "vault cleaning" several years ago. Now, we have this third version, with the "5906 Military" marking lasered on in English. The plot thickens.

 

[snw19_357]

Ditto. The 5906M was made in 2001 and then there was the Modelo Militar that were made for Argentina (20) and Columbia (300) in 1998.
S&W dumped a few of those left overs to Lew Horton in 2003.

The Modelo Militar's also had the lanyard loop and were decock only but haven't seen one like that before.

I'm curious to know what that logo on the left side is.

 

[BLUEBELLYYANKEE]

Is that the "Interarms" logo on the left side?

 

[POL]

Ditto. The 5906M was made in 2001 and then there was the Modelo Militar that were made for Argentina (20) and Columbia (300) in 1998.
S&W dumped a few of those left overs to Lew Horton in 2003.

The Modelo Militar's also had the lanyard loop and were decock only but haven't seen one like that before.

I'm curious to know what that logo on the left side is.

Only 20 pistols were made for Argentina?
It seems to be then a kinda "exclusive" model. That´s why is an expensive model in Argentina ($ 1100).

 

[BLUEBELLYYANKEE]

Seems like making only 20 guns for one buyer is not worth the time and effort for the S&W factory.

Another knowledgeable collector told me it may be a salesman's sample that was intended to be used to try to sell to the LE/Military market. He was very aware of the gun with the "Modelo Militar" etched on the slide but he never has seen one with "5906 Military" on the slide.

 

[snw19_357]

Y'all really read there were only 20 into:
300 for ..., plus 20 went to ..., and the left-overs were sold to ...?

A salesman sample could make it one of less than 10. Having never seen that marking before would make it even more unique.
I wonder if anyone here has ever seen a product code close to that one.

I think you scored. I'd letter that one.

 

[POL]

Have you seen the link I´ve posted above?
I think could be interesting for you

 

[BLUEBELLYYANKEE]

Have you seen the link I´ve posted above?
I think could be interesting for you

I did see it and it looks like the same "Modelo Militar" model that has been discussed in the past here on this forum. I still have not found one that has the exact same markings as my gun. Once the S&W factory is back to work later this month I will give them a call to see what they can tell me.

 

[BLUEBELLYYANKEE]

Just got off the phone with s&w and they say this model was sold to lew horton. The gun was originally a military contract order and there was a few left and they went to lew Horton. The markings are in English because the factory laser etched them to order after a order was placed by the respective military agency. I was told that only a handfull are marked in English like mine.

 

[snw19_357]

I can't hold too many full-sized 59 series in my hand...

Did they have anything to say about the logo etched on it?

 

[BLUEBELLYYANKEE]

Final word is in from Lew Horton on this gun. I did talk to them today and they confirm it was sold in 2001 and was 1 of only 3 made like this one with the markings in English. I will definitely be getting this one lettered. Special thanks to Forum member snw19_357 for his help in pointing me in the right direction.

 

[dsk]

Sounds like it's time to do some custom machining and refinishing on that one!

Seriously, a 1 in 3 sounds like a prime collector's item. Congrats.

 

[EdF702]

Me too... almost!

I just picked up a 5906 Modelo Militar last night... ANIB with 6 mags. The best part is it came with a near ANIB 4566 with the same Melonite finish.

I had never even heard of these before yesterday and now the "market is flooded"! I "thought" that both of these pistols were very unusual... Was I mistaken or has a hidden "stash" been released?

I don't pick mine up until the middle of the week (damn travel) but I'll post picks when I have them in my hot little hands!

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

This is killing me! I have been looking for a Modelo Militar for a couple years now and haven't even seen mention of one until this thread, and now there are two fresh to the market! Ugh! One of you guys needs to sell me one...Please?

 

[Karl in NY]

I believe those guns were ordered by the Japanese Coast Guard.

The "logo" is more properly called an ensign, and in this case represents a stylized
8-point compass.