Help me ID this 39 ??? magazine

[bobt]

I picked this up at a local shop (cheap) and thought I only had one mag for my 39-2 Nickel, but did have two.

This one has a much longer floor plate, is bright nickel or chrome compared to the 2 that I have that look like SS. It also has the old metal figure 8 follower.

It has to be for a single stack 9mm, but sticks out way to much for my 39-2,,,,,,,,,,is it possible it is a "factory second"?

I could Dremel it down, but it would loose the nickel/chrome and would be prone to surface rust.

I also threw it in 3 second generation single stack 9's, and my blue 39 & 39-2 and it also stuck out,,,,,,,,for whatever that is worth.

Any ideas as to the story behind this one?

Thanks Gang!

(click on photo twice to supersize it)

 

[Cyrano]

Sometime before serial number A180000 the small cut was made in the bottom of the grip frame at the front of the pistol, as illustrated in your photos. Magazines for guns made before that time had a longer baseplate that projected out the front a little more for easier removal. That's why your baseplate is so long.

I don't know about the finish; wiser heads than I will have to answer that one as I thought all Model 39 magazines were blued, even for the nickled guns.

 

[Model39]

M-39 Magazines

Two of your magazines appear to be made of Stainless Steel, most likely from a M-639. I have several early blue finish M-39's/39 magazines and they all have the same features of yours with the S&W/9MM markings. I have never seen a shinny nickel magazine like that before, and suspect that it was aftermarket nickel plated. I could be wrong. My nickel M-39's all came with blue finish magazines. But I have learned to "Never say Never when it comes to Smith&Wesson". Hope that helps a little.

 

[Sebago Son]

Any chance this is for a 952?

 

[bobt]

Thanks Guys!

I'm not sure on the 952 unless i tried to fit it to one,,,,,,,,,and at the price for a 952,,,that "ain't gunna happen".

What Model39 and Cyrano said make sense, there is a chance it was chromed, because it looks more "silver" and most nickel has a "brass" tint to it. If it was chromed they did a great job as when you prep/polish metal before plating, if you are not very careful you will loose detail like the "S&W 9MM" stamped on the bottom,,,,,,,,,and the stamping is fairly crisp, so that is why I say they did a good job on the plating.

I may "Dremel" the edge down and then try to polish the edge starting with 320 grit and working up to 1600,,,,,,,,then make sur it is not exposed to damp conditions,,,,,,,,,I may even tape the edge off and spray it with clear coat.

Thanks again!