6904<>469

[demkofour]

While doing laps around the internet in search of interesting and (maybe) elusive first, second and third generation S&Ws, I recently discovered a model marked 469 that looked different. It appeared to have a second gen slide but a third gen frame. It was advertised as a plain Jane 469 and the price was reflective of that.
As it turns out, what I initially thought was a replacement of a defective/cracked second gen frame with a third gen frame is more likely one of the reportedly less than 200 guns shipped with 6904 features but model marked 469 (as described in the SCSW.) You just never know…

 

[TNZ71]

Some call them Pilot Models as the transition was made from Gen 2 to Gen 3

 

[toddimusnimski]

You may be right. Your gun's frame does not have the red dot indicating "fire" like the slide does, as seen on many replacement frames. TBU prefixes are known to have shipped in 1998 1988, the last year of the 469 and first year of the 6904.
If the price is good, it may be worth picking up.

Todd

 

[4T5GUY]

Usually a telltale sign that a 2nd Gen frame was replaced with a 3rd is the double safety “dimples.”

I initially thought I actually had a special 669 but it’s not.

Jim

Edit to add…. Todd beat me to it

 

[Pocketrocket]

I have one of those. Supposedly unfired. I'm not really into S&W autos but it seemed interesting. I've never shot it. It's in the same serial range as yours.

 

[toddimusnimski]

I have one of those. Supposedly unfired. I'm not really into S&W autos but it seemed interesting. I've never shot it. It's in the same serial range as yours.

Very nice! Does yours also have ambidextrous safety? If it included box w/label we can get the shipping date from the Spec Order code.

Todd

 

[Pocketrocket]

Todd- it does have the ambi safety. Unfortunately i did not get the original box.
I got it from a gal at my LGS. It was her father's, who was a Sacramento Sheriff if i recall correctly. I thought about listing it here for sale as I mostly collect revolvers.

 

[toddimusnimski]

It sure wouldn't hurt to request she ask her dad about the box as it helps the gun's value and history.
OP didn't mention box for his but with these I sure wouldn't let that stop me. Y'all done good!

Todd

 

[demkofour]

It sure wouldn't hurt to request she ask her dad about the box as it helps the gun's value and history.
OP didn't mention box for his but with these I sure wouldn't let that stop me. Y'all done good!

Todd

Good morning!
No box on this one although it’s in great condition with two mags…
But, I do have a duplicate in the same Alpha Prefix that I did get ANIB- interestingly, the SPEC ORD code hints of a day in 1991 that doesn’t exist, a Product Code that appears to exist for both the 469 and the 6904 and the box is marked Model 4690, although the pistol itself is marked 469.

 

[Sevens]

interestingly, the SPEC ORD code hints of a day in 1991 that doesn’t exist

This is definitely a part of the “fun” of the SPEC ORDER code as we attempt to use them for a born-on date.

It usually works… except when it doesn’t. S&W, in their infinite wisdom chose to use it for other purposes and I’m not sure that anyone has ever decoded it, or perhaps more accurately, nobody that has the insight behind all the secrets of the SPEC ORDER code has ever shared it.

 

[Doug M.]

I recall that there is some special significance to the "4690" (and other models have similar odd model # markings). I THINK that it reflects a transitional model on the way from Gen 2 to Gen 3, but don't rely on that memory. I am sure that there are members who have a much better understanding who might chime in anytime.

 

[demkofour]

I recall that there is some special significance to the "4690" (and other models have similar odd model # markings). I THINK that it reflects a transitional model on the way from Gen 2 to Gen 3, but don't rely on that memory. I am sure that there are members who have a much better understanding who might chime in anytime.

As per the SCSW 5th. edition, there are two separate 4690 pistols listed. One is the very limited run for RSR (<300) and those pistols are model marked 4690 with a distinct RSR serial number.

The other 4690 is listed as a Pilot- early prod. 6904, frame marked 469, box marked 4690, (103101), <300; as in my original post.

As always thanks to Jim and Rick for their outstanding work with the SCSW!