Help Dating a Model 39

[masonk]

Hello All -

I'm new to this forum and came hoping to find some help dating a recently acquired Model 39. My grandpa recently passed and this it was willed to me, though I had never shot it before. I understand there's a catalog that helps with this sort of thing, though I haven't been able to track down a copy. The serial number is 37385. I'm not looking to sell it but if anyone had a general idea what it could be worth that might be great to know as well. Seems to be in decent condition for how old I assume it is. I got it cleaned and lubricated up (careful not to scratch or take away from its age). Let me know if I can provide any additional info to help get the date I'm looking for. Thanks in advance for your help.

Mason

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, Mason! The Model 39 is a semi-auto 9 mm. This is a revolver forum. Do you have a revolver? If so, we need to see some pictures so we can help you identify the model and it's date of manufacture.

 

[murphydog]

Here is needed ID information if you have a revolver:

To IDENTIFY your Gun >

On the revolver frames under where the barrel threads in there is a model number, but only after 1958. It is common to see a number there and presume it is a model (or serial) number. If your handgun is indeed stamped MOD 39 with the five digit number mentioned above, my apologies (and we'll get your post moved).

 

[Sevens]

Welcome, Mason. There is a phenomenal reference book that helps with many serial numbers but it isn't the absolute source. There are some particular models where it can do no better than a range.

At that point many of us (who are enthusiasts!) make note of what dates others have learned from factory letter requests and that helps us to try and date others nearby in a serial number range.

You can try to e-mail S&W but I'm not exactly confident in what answer they would give for this particular pistol. You could request a factory letter however there is a fee for doing so and I think there is also currently a hold on these letters due to volume.

I have a Model 39 with a 31xxx serial number and my best guess is 1963 or thereabouts, so I would guess yours to also be 1963 or perhaps 1964. This is only my guess.

As to value, we would need high quality pictures and multiples of them. If the pistol is not dead mint and with it's original box and all original stuff, but it is fully functional and ready to shoot with original wood stocks, a fast guess is $500-$800 I'm average condition.

The good news is that we have some fine minds on these pages that are better with Model 39 info than I am, so hopefully they add to this discussion.

 

[CB3]

The last model I dated who was 39 was over 30 years ago. I don't even remember her name.

 

[Sevens]

Oops, I certainly should have mentioned that the name of the phenomenal reference book is The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson and that book is currently in it's 4th Edition, written by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas. Amazon has it, but other sources are better . The book is an absolute treasure trove and worth well beyond it's price.

 

[jimbo728]

The last model I dated who was 39 was over 30 years ago. I don't even remember her name.

I do. how could I forget.
Jim