FBI? 459

[RG22lr]

Hello forum members, been out of the game awhile. But trying to break back in.I have a new toy and would like some opinions on it. Is it something special or run of the mill. Its not a real dull blue but not the shiny blue we have come accustomed to. What I have is a 469 with lanyard loop, round trigger guard, fixed rear sight,and the grips are matte. Ser. # A881xxx. Could this be one of the 800 shipped to the FBI. Or an over run of said pistols. Thanks in Advance Dennis

 

[MDB1056]

Post pictures

 

[RG22lr]

Trying to figure that out as we speak

 

[PhilT]

Yeah, just wondering...do you have to create an album before having the ability to post a picture?

 

[RG22lr]

 

[RG22lr]

469 pic

 

[RG22lr]

One more try!!!
S&W 469 | FBI? | Dennis Thomas | Flickr

 

[RG22lr]

S&W 469 | FBI? | Dennis Thomas | Flickr

 

[toddimusnimski]

So its a 459, not 469. Serial number fits the range well (A881000 - A881950) of possible FBI guns, military XM9 contract, or experimental finish guns. Interesting! I reckon only a letter from the mother ship will answer that question for sure.

How did you come across it?

Todd

 

[RG22lr]

Traded a fellow in a neighboring town. Pics look rough. But looks good in person high edge blue wear. He had replaced the grips with uncle Mike's. I called him the day after to see if he had the originals and he did luckily. I guess I will have to letter it. Thanks for the reply. Hope everyone gets to look at the pic

 

[jpage]

The FBI used 469s ?

 

[RG22lr]

There SWAT unit supposedly did. Read that 2 that got shot in the Miami shoot out where packing 459's

 

[snw19_357]

Congrats on your new 459.

I really like the finish and grips on these.

While you're waiting for your letter..

 

[toddimusnimski]

Traded a fellow in a neighboring town. Pics look rough. But looks good in person high edge blue wear. He had replaced the grips with uncle Mike's. I called him the day after to see if he had the originals and he did luckily. I guess I will have to letter it. Thanks for the reply. Hope everyone gets to look at the pic

Excellent follow-up with him - it does pay to ask. It sure would be something if he still had the box too but not everyone sees the value in holding on to them. Any idea of how he acquired it, original owner, etc? I think you did great on this one!

Todd

 

[RG22lr]

Good morning Todd, No box unfortunately. I got the feeling talking to him that he was not very experienced in the art of collecting. I had no Idea as to what the pistol was when I saw the pics first. Just looked like a gun that had been carried quitte a bit. When I got home and researched it I kind of got to think maybe it isn't what it seems. Just one of those you luck into sometimes.

 

[hoytx10]

Looks to me that the frame has been reblued / coated and the grips have been coated with the same lacquer. Attached is a screenshot of two auctions of documented FBI 459s. Note the color difference of the grips and frame. Also note how much crisper the stamping of the serial number is on the documented pistols. On the plus side, the grips on RG22lr's 459 have the same rough texture as the documented pistol and not the smooth texture found on a regular 59/459.

 

[stansdds]

Hoytx10 makes a good point about a probable refinish. Factory anodizing produced a uniform finish, the pics of the OP's indicate a receiver that looks like it was painted with Cerakote, Gunkote, or similar finish. The hammer and trigger finish are also suspect. The color and texture of the stocks also seem to match that of the receiver.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

A while back now my Buddy and I bought some Gov Contract Overrun 459s from a Police Dealer in Penn.
These were reported to have been made for Embassy State Dept Security Personnel.
I managed to get Roy Jinks on the phone. He told me he had heard about them but had never actually seen them.
Later I realized that I wasted a once in a lifetime opportunity!
When I talked to Roy Jinks it should have been concerning Revolvers!
Don't actually remember that much about those guns.
They were slightly different from the regular guns and there was some different wording on the label.
Back then we were burning and turning Guns, they're all long gone!

 

[shawn mccarver]

I do not believe the 459 pictured by the OP is one of the 803 with special features, and even if it were, those 803 were not purchased by the FBI, they merely had dull grips like those used on FBI contract pistols and a dull finish like the State Department specified. They are very nice, and buy for that reason, not because it is represented as an FBI weapon.

 

[RG22lr]

Looking closer I do believe the frame has a thin coat of Ceracote. The grips however do not appear to have been refinished to me. I may strip the receiver and see what is under the coating. Guessing this being the case just consider it a shooter and save the 100 bucks?