History Lesson; a 5906 with a 659 slide?

[itguy]

Need a history lesson. I saw an early 5906 for sale that was definately a first run 3rd Gen 5906. The slide had the 3rd Gen safety and Novak sights, but, the stamping was identical to a 659. Can't tell if the sides of the slide are as polished as a 659 was, but all of the stamping is just like a 659. Being a hooked trigger guard, it almost makes me think when they very first transitioned from the 659 to the 5906, they made the first few batches with leftover 659 slides.

Any ideas? Has anyone seen one of these before?

 

[itguy]

Need a history lesson. I saw an early 5906 for sale that was definately a first run 3rd Gen 5906. The slide had the 3rd Gen safety and Novak sights, but, the stamping was identical to a 659. Can't tell if the sides of the slide are as polished as a 659 was, but all of the stamping is just like a 659. Being a hooked trigger guard, it almost makes me think when they very first transitioned from the 659 to the 5906, they made the first few batches with leftover 659 slides.

Any ideas? Has anyone seen one of these before?

 

[norfdet]

I have seen some early "transitional" guns that looked to be 5906 frames with 659 slides (or was it the other way around). It is not uncommon for S&W to use extra party lying around the factory and turn out a gun. I think these guns were from the time period when they were phasing out the 659 and releasing the 3rd gen 5906's.

I have a PD buddy that has one but for some reason I also thought S&W also stamped it with a different model #.

 

[itguy]

It's interesting. The frame is stamped 5906. And it is fully a 3rd Gen. It's just as if the slide was born as a 659 slide.

When I say the slide is stamped like a 659, I'm just talking about the left side. It only says Smith & Wesson in the middle, then has the rest to the right, just ahead of the cocking serrations, like the 659 did.

I bet that's the deal; it was born a 659 slide, and was converted to be a 5906 slide...

Must have been a very very early 5906. I wonder if there would be any negatives about buying it, either from a collectors value or mechanically?

 

[AJW]

I've seen this a few times. I actually have a 659 frame with a 5906 upper. Works fine. Have no idea if it came like this. Bought it used.