Being represented as a Model 39??
- Thread starter Truckerjim
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Alk8944
US Veteran
It's an early Model 39, what is the question?
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Truckerjim
Member
That serial number makes it a pre 39
Should not have Model 39 on it. Pre models went up to the low 2600's
Should not have Model 39 on it. Pre models went up to the low 2600's
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I never put much stock in serial numbers for that type of thing as S&W was known to complete serial numbered frames WAY out of order. It is almost as if the fitters would draw down from a bin of frames, then before the bin was empty along would come another, newer, batch that would be put on top of the older ones. I have no idea if that is really how it happened, but it certainly seems so.
EDIT: Pay no attention to my speculation. Kevin Williams has the solution. See Post 6 in this thread.
EDIT: Pay no attention to my speculation. Kevin Williams has the solution. See Post 6 in this thread.
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Truckerjim
Member
If you look at the stamping on Model 39 it appears maybe double stamped. Frame looks to definitely be a 39 there's differences between pre and 39. My only question is that serial number. I guess it is possible as you said.
kwill1911
Member
Richard McMillan explains this anomaly in his monograph on the Model 39.
A number of Model 39s have serial numbers which should be a pre-39 gun, but are, in fact, Model 39s. The guns were apparently returned to the factory at some time, probably for a major repair such as for a cracked frame. The factory rather than repairing the gun, obtained a new gun from the then current production, stamped the old serial number on the new gun, and returned it to the owner. These reissues are relatively common, particularly among guns in the low 2000 serial number range.
A number of Model 39s have serial numbers which should be a pre-39 gun, but are, in fact, Model 39s. The guns were apparently returned to the factory at some time, probably for a major repair such as for a cracked frame. The factory rather than repairing the gun, obtained a new gun from the then current production, stamped the old serial number on the new gun, and returned it to the owner. These reissues are relatively common, particularly among guns in the low 2000 serial number range.
Kevin, so these re-placement frames were np doubt the Model-39s with the long tang? Mike
kwill1911
Member
Presumably yes, but I've not seen enough examples to know for sure. I'm sure S&W used what they had on hand so it's possible that on some they could have used a pre-39 frame but stamped it as a Model 39. The guys in the factory were thinking about future collectors. "We'll drive them *** crazy with this stuff!"
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Truckerjim
Member
Appreciate the help. I believe it to be a return that was replaced with a Model 39 and as you had stated,with them giving the original guns SN.
I have a few questions. If you had an original factory mid 1950s pre-39
with a cracked frame? And sent back. OK, they grab a new, in the white mod-39 frame. Stamp the orig. Sn., but why the Model-39"?
with a cracked frame? And sent back. OK, they grab a new, in the white mod-39 frame. Stamp the orig. Sn., but why the Model-39"?
Engine49guy
Member
The frame has the old style short tang so it's an early frame.
Interesting it has the long safety lever and relieved stock.
The factory released the early 50's era steel frames in the 60's and built them as Model marked 39's, those had short tangs too btw.
On a side note notice the slide serrations are around the safety lever, that's also an early feature, I'm wondering if the frame is cut for the ejection port cover, early guns were not.
Interesting it has the long safety lever and relieved stock.
The factory released the early 50's era steel frames in the 60's and built them as Model marked 39's, those had short tangs too btw.
On a side note notice the slide serrations are around the safety lever, that's also an early feature, I'm wondering if the frame is cut for the ejection port cover, early guns were not.
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kwill1911
Member
Why not? What would you expect?
Brad, glad you chimed in. Ref: just the frame, not slide. The only diff. I can see is the tang and groove for cover? Agree? or was there an alloy change to prevent cracking? We will cover lever and slide later. Mags are a whole
other chapter. Stay with me. Mike
other chapter. Stay with me. Mike
So this gun just sold on GB for a decent price and I was just a little too slow to grab it with the buy it now option. Mac covered a lot of ground on re-issues for guns that were sent back to the factory and deserves a re-read. GB had more pictures of this gun for the auction and it looks to me like a pre 39 frame a with the short tang and matched up to an early 39 slide with the serrations under the safety lever. The Model-39 stamped on the frame seems irregular and indicates it might have been added, maybe by hand. I was hoping to win this auction as it definitely is ideal for an in depth inspection.
Presumably yes, but I've not seen enough examples to know for sure. I'm sure S&W used what they had on hand so it's possible that on some they could have used a pre-39 frame but stamped it as a Model 39. The guys in the factory were thinking about future collectors. "We'll drive them *** crazy with this stuff!"
Kevin, Reasonable explanation and They have succeeded in driving us crazy.
Rich, I have Macs 2006 article on re-issues. Im looking at the article on page 22 . He gives the re-issue subject 5 lines. If you have more info, pls. share.
If the frame cracked, my question is why. And how did the factory cure the problem? You just give me another similar frame to shut me up? If all
pre-39 frames have a weak spot, we should not shoot them. Right?
If the frame cracked, my question is why. And how did the factory cure the problem? You just give me another similar frame to shut me up? If all
pre-39 frames have a weak spot, we should not shoot them. Right?
jim, Im sure who ever bought this 39 did not get a re-issue but a frame that stuck around for a few years. And got stamped and assembled
with a 39 slide. It was shipped in 1960 to a dealer in SF, CA.
Fair buy with two correct 1960 mags. Should have pushed the buy now.
with a 39 slide. It was shipped in 1960 to a dealer in SF, CA.
Fair buy with two correct 1960 mags. Should have pushed the buy now.
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