First Generation 59
- Thread starter Fortcouragearmory
- Start date
Looks like a 1977 shipped gun. Nice find in the PRK :).
S&W 59 A371XXX Feb-77
S&W 59 A391XXX Apr-78
S&W 59 A402XXX Mar-78
As usual - S&W/Jinks is the source for YOUR ship date
S&W 59 A391XXX Apr-78
S&W 59 A402XXX Mar-78
As usual - S&W/Jinks is the source for YOUR ship date
HYPURR
Member
My 59
I too have a 59. Mine is BNIB with all-Never Fired. I have dated it 1977. However SN A342xxx is earlier than the reply above.
> Is my A342xxx an earlier date?
Thanks for the input.
I too have a 59. Mine is BNIB with all-Never Fired. I have dated it 1977. However SN A342xxx is earlier than the reply above.
> Is my A342xxx an earlier date?
Thanks for the input.
Last edited:
S & W doesn't ship in numerical order; 1976 is more likely for A342xxx given 371xxx shipped in early '77, but you can't count on that in the absence of a factory letter.
gunnyjack
Member
I've had two differing answers, both from 3 different old timers at S&W on my Mod.59 with A359XXX... I was told by the first and last that she's first run and #73712 of that first run, then the middle of the three tells me on a guesstimation it was closer to mid'75... Not that it matters much to me as she will be my "Legacy Pistol" to my son having been my Father's duty carry before she became my own duty piece 20+yrs ago... Thoughts on this Gentleman?
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All three might be right :). Factory letter time also for a specific date, or maybe someone here has a nearby known date.
gunnyjack
Member
From the two with the same answer she was first production run in late'71 which would fall into a more proper time frame according to what my Dad had told me however,: having that one gentleman inserting the later date into the conversation kicked over my water pail so to speak... Ha ha ha you are right though, the Factory letter would be the most reliable source as well it may be something my son appreciates having when he inherits her after my passing.. Good call Sir, thank you.
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Engine49guy
Member
IIRC the earliest 59's are in the A170,000 range so by serial it is considerably higher and one would assume shipped in the mid 70's due to certain features found on 59's close to your serial range,
What is surprising is it appears to have a relieved frame beneath the safety lever which is an early feature that should have been gone by your serial range.
Would you mind posting some clear pictures of both sides ?
What is surprising is it appears to have a relieved frame beneath the safety lever which is an early feature that should have been gone by your serial range.
Would you mind posting some clear pictures of both sides ?
gunnyjack
Member
I wish I could post pictures however I got suckered into using this "Taptalk" app and I learned earlier today that it has a major malfunction that will not allow it... I can however look at this early model and pit later model photos against it to tell.
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gunnyjack
Member
Also this particular model has no safety lever. Only a decocker under which there is no relief in the frame leading me to believe it is of the production run of '75 as I was told by the one of three gents at S&W... That would be a fairly good indicator that he was indeed correct.
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gunnyjack
Member
Honestly and either way her performance is still stellar when compared to today's striker fired semi autos and after firing the new M&P 9mm as much as I enjoyed it, I still can't quite yet justify the purchase for only a 2 round greater capacity. Especially as I have four of the 15 round magazines for this 59... I've been in the Firearms Community for 35+ yrs and anyway you look at it, having 60+1 at one's disposal is still a thing of beauty to me. Ha ha ha...
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gunnyjack
Member
There is a substantial relief in the frame below the slide lock however I'm fairly certain that it is common amongst all 59's
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S&W 59 A3363XX Jan-76
S&W 59 A3633XX Sep-76
S&W 59 A3716XX Feb-77
As usual S&W/Jinks for yours
S&W 59 A3633XX Sep-76
S&W 59 A3716XX Feb-77
As usual S&W/Jinks for yours
Engine49guy
Member
Thats what I was referring to and IIRC its an early feature not common on mid 70's Model 59's .
The 59 was basicly introduced in 1971 during the 39-2 series and has several early 39-2features that changed from introduction to around 1973 or 74.
BTW I use photobucket to store pics then just post links ,
gunnyjack
Member
Here we are...
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gunnyjack
Member
A little trial and error paid off.
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gunnyjack
Member
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gunnyjack
Member
The relief in the frame shows better in this 2nd photo of the left side.
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gunnyjack
Member
Still, not a good photo...
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gunnyjack
Member
Late'71 was what I had been initially told by the two gents at S&W, of the three I had spoken with one guesstimated '75..
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gunnyjack
Member
As a matter of fact it was one of the gentleman who had claimed her a late 71 production that told me she was number 73,712 of that first run..
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gunnyjack
Member
Just got my hands on another couple of magazines for her and two more double magazine pouches to carry my spares in... Great deal. $48.28 shipping included..
