6944 DAO Blue Compact 9mm (1 of 512 produced)

[grcoffman104]

What ???

I received my letter from Mr Jinks today. The reply was very fast, less than a month. Thank you Mr Jinks.

The letter states the following along with a ship date of 1-25-92.

"This model was manufactured from parts that were in stock from the Model 669 and the Model 6904 as a special order for RSR Distributor Group. It was a combination to use up the parts that were in stock when the factory changed to the Third Generation auto-loading pistols. This is completely unique model. The factory produced 512 units of the 6944 between serial number TFB0047 - TFB0558."

But my 6944 has a s/n of TVD 0634 ????

 

[ACEd]

But my 6944 has a s/n of TVD 0634 ????

At least 3 S/N groups exist of 6944 with curved trigger guards P/N 108138 produced after the initial group of 512 with square trigger guards P/N 103124.

First by alphabetical order is the TVD group of which there are at least 2 examples including yours and a TVD057x.

Second is the TZB group of which there are at least 5 examples (TZB6740, TZB6776, TZB6778, TZB6813, and TZB6817) which according to SW were produced in late 1992 and shipped in early 1993.

Third is the TZZ group of which only 1 example has surfaced (TZZ3317)

I can only say anything definitive about the second (TZB) group - of which I posses one - It has what appears to be a blackened stainless slide with 6944 marked inside the top on the muzzle end (See photo). It does not have the Model 6944 marked on left of slide, nor does it have the parts caution on the right side of slide. It does not appear to have anything obvious in common with the second generation 669 - certainly not the frame or the slide. It has 3 levers at the rear of the frame unlike my earlier 6946 (1990) which has only 2 levers, but the same as my late 6946 (1998). I have also seen 1991/92 vintage 3953's with the 2 lever setup (See photo).

 

[grcoffman104]

Thank you!

For digging into this!!!

 

[ACEd]

At least 3 S/N groups exist of 6944 with curved trigger guards P/N 108138 produced after the initial group of 512 with square trigger guards P/N 103124.

First by alphabetical order is the TVD group of which there are at least 2 examples including yours and a TVD057x.

Second is the TZB group of which there are at least 5 examples (TZB6740, TZB6776, TZB6778, TZB6813, and TZB6817) which according to SW were produced in late 1992 and shipped in early 1993.

Third is the TZZ group of which only 1 example has surfaced (TZZ3317)

I can only say anything definitive about the second (TZB) group - of which I posses one - It has what appears to be a blackened stainless slide with 6944 marked inside the top on the muzzle end (See photo). It does not have the Model 6944 marked on left of slide, nor does it have the parts caution on the right side of slide. It does not appear to have anything obvious in common with the second generation 669 - certainly not the frame or the slide. It has 3 levers at the rear of the frame unlike my earlier 6946 (1990) which has only 2 levers, but the same as my late 6946 (1998). I have also seen 1991/92 vintage 3953's with the 2 lever setup (See photo).

Per SW, 6944 Manufacture Dates as follow:
P/N 103124 (Original D Trigger Guard) S/N TFB 043x 7/1990
P/N 108138 (Curved Trigger Guard) S/N TVD 063x 4/1993
P/N 108138 (Curved Trigger Guard) S/N TZB 674x 4/1993
P/N 108138 (Curved Trigger Guard) S/N TZB 681x 1993
P/N 108138 (Curved Trigger Guard) S/N TZZ 331x 7/1993

 

[Dparker]

Nice find!!! I have one as well!!

Cheers!
David

 

[grcoffman104]

S/N ?

Seems like there was a run after the first 512....
Where's yours at in the scream of things?

 

[ACEd]

It appears that in addition to the 512 in the TFB block with early squared trigger guard circa 1990, there was 1 or more special orders placed for 6944s with the curved trigger guard for delivery in 1992/1993. I seem to have hit a brick wall in finding information on subsequent order(s). Assuming serial numbers were assigned in a block like was apparently done for the first 512 - and there is no guarantee such was done - there would be at least 60-70 in the TVD 057x-063x group, another 70-80 in the TZD 674x-681x group and an unbounded quantity in the TZZ33xx group (single known example) Mine is in the middle group. Of course these could be a single order and there is no guarantee they were made in continuous S/N blocks and at least one, but only one known has reimport marks.