A deuce of Pre Model 39s

[mbliss57]

Well I can thank Model3sw for my 2nd pre model 39. A LNIB example with proper green instruction booklet, mags, tools and box that numbers to the gun .. S/N 1843. Shipped July 1956. It mates up nicely with the one I bought from Bam Bam several years ago. S/N 2219 . Probably shipped 1956. Then the other day I found another Pre 39 via the SW NE Ohio bunch meeting. S/N 2325. Likely shipped 1956 or 1957. Also came with matching box, tools mags and green booklet. ( although this book came from another gun based on s/n penned on booklet.

So I present s/N 1843 via Model3SW

2325 thanks to Dave Nowak

2219 thanks to Bam Bam (purchased maybe 6 years ago)

Then a shot of the 5 pre 1960 39s in which I include the Steel frame since it was technically around from the beginning. And model marked 39 s/n 6129 shipped Jan 1959. ( Late for that s/n)

Then a family photo of all my 39s up to the 539 and including a Devel. 2 blue 39-2s and a Nickel 39-2.

 

[RobertJ.]

One of my favorite handguns. Nice collection!

 

[BAM-BAM]

2219 looks like it's missing it's 45 years in a sock drawer

Neat...... the one book ..... Mid'n Shipman TL Roth Class of 57 US Naval Academy????

 

[TTSH]

Wow!!!

Wow!!! All I can say is Wow!!!

 

[hkcavalier]

Wow! I feel lucky to have ONE pre-39!

 

[model3sw]

Those green pre-39 green & white booklets are extremely hard to find in any condition. Even harder to find in upper percentage condition. Most times even when you find a pre-39 with the correct box, many ... MANY ... more times than not, the green & white booklet is gone

protect them in little plastic baggies that they don't get any further stressed or oil stained.

Nice stuff ! Sal

 

[raykdman]

Great collection! A pre 39 is on my wish list.

 

[kennethg]

That is a great collection. I passed on a pre 39 many years ago. It was well used and way over priced. Can't say that I regret that decision now.

 

[oldman10mm]

Got a question. Is a pre-39 magazine any different from those that came after ?

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Mr. bliss, a really nice collection of 9mm S&Ws.
The available, to the public , thru normal commercial channels, is Sn. from 1001 thru 2625. Lets not count Jack Webs or the tool room and experimental examples that some how entered the collector market.
So we are at 1625 examples of a very desirable S&W auto to possess.
As I stated, nice group. But those boxes and booklets are the real gem.
And, Happy Mothers Day!

 

[Farmer17]

My very first center fire pistol was bought when I was 19 in 1979 and I traded a well used Ruger standard .22 auto pistol and $70 for a brand new M-39 at the Tulsa Gun Show. It is one of the prettiest pistols of all time and very under rated and at the time everyone was into .45 acp 1911s and they acted like only sissy wimps would own a 9m/m. That convinced me to trade it on a new Colt Combat Government Model and I've missed that M-39 ever since.

 

[touchoneoff]

Man, that's an amazing collection you got there!

 

[kwill1911]

Hello Mr. bliss, a really nice collection of 9mm S&Ws.
The available, to the public , thru normal commercial channels, is Sn. from 1001 thru 2625. Lets not count Jack Webs or the tool room and experimental examples that some how entered the collector market.
So we are at 1625 examples of a very desirable S&W auto to possess.
As I stated, nice group. But those boxes and booklets are the real gem.
And, Happy Mothers Day!

Actually, there are quite a few examples of model marked pistols (Model 39, of course) below 2625 so the number of non-model marked pistols is less than 1,625.

 

[mbliss57]

Got a question. Is a pre-39 magazine any different from those that came after ?

The short answer is Yes. the very early ones had a 9mm and a S&W stamped on the bottom. Then later just S&W.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Kevin, Im working within data I have collected over the years.
Is it all definitive? heck no. We are S&W collectors and quote data we have collected. If you have more or new info, just chime in. All ways appreciated.

 

[kwill1911]

I've recorded 50 Model 39 marked pistols below SN 2625. The lowest is 1434. These are what Richard McMillan calls "the pre-39 reissue," i.e. guns that were damaged (probably a cracked frame) and got a replacement frame. It is a little hard for me to believe that 50+ of these guns got new frames but...? It is certainly an interesting variation.

 

[Aircrewman]

Was going to write something meaningful and pleasant about your collection but just noticed myself in the bathroom mirror and saw that my complexion is a curious green color so I will have to delay my response until I see the doctor...….

 

[gmborkovic]

Thanks Kevin, that re-issue fact was one I had read years ago, but just forgot. The ole memory needed a kick start.

 

[brucev]

The stuff that dreams are made of. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[mbliss57]

I've recorded 50 Model 39 marked pistols below SN 2625. The lowest is 1434. These are what Richard McMillan calls "the pre-39 reissue," i.e. guns that were damaged (probably a cracked frame) and got a replacement frame. It is a little hard for me to believe that 50+ of these guns got new frames but...? It is certainly an interesting variation.

Does anyone know whether these were model 39 or 39-2 frames SW replaced these pre 39s with? Or both?
It seems odd that SW would restamp any gun with original S/N if it was model marked differently than original and the frame was also different. Minimally the pre 39 backstrap would have been different and probably the extractor.
I’m sure it was done.. just not sure why they wouldn’t reissue a new gun.