Interesting 4046???

[beuford]

I picked up this 4046 today. It is absolutely pristine; I couldn't find any evidence that more than a mag has been fired from this gun.

It is interesting in that it has a black finish, similar to that on a Glock. Clearly not normal bluing. The finish is perfect and lettering crisp; it doesn't look like a refinish at all. The subtle clues for refinishes are completely absent.

In addition, the box - which has only a partial tag but matches the serial number of the gun - identifies it as a product code of 148512, and I can find no other product codes anywhere near this sequence in the SCOSW except for commemoratives or special issues.

What did I pick up???

Beuford (Gratuitous pictures below)

 

[SmithNut]

I picked up this 4046 today. It is absolutely pristine; I couldn't find any evidence that more than a mag has been fired from this gun.

It is interesting in that it has a black finish, similar to that on a Glock. Clearly not normal bluing. The finish is perfect and lettering crisp; it doesn't look like a refinish at all. The subtle clues for refinishes are completely absent.

In addition, the box - which has only a partial tag but matches the serial number of the gun - identifies it as a product code of 148512, and I can find no other product codes anywhere near this sequence in the SCOSW except for commemoratives or special issues.

What did I pick up???

Beuford (Gratuitous pictures below)

Nice gun! Very cool looking.
Pics look good, I'm guessing, if original, it could be a special run done with a Melonite finish over the stainless. You can call S&W (800-331-0852, option ? 6 I believe for Cust Service), give them the product code and ask them what the finish was when it left the factory.
They've done several auto runs with Melonite, here is a M5946TSW with factory Melonite finish.

 

[beuford]

Interesting 4046

Nice TSW! Thanks for the information. It certainly does look like your melonite piece.

I have also found no references to the RJF serial prefix. Nothing in the SCOSW shows this prefix. Sometimes these prefixes are reserved for specials or performance center models.

Has anyone seen this serial number prefix before?

Beuford

 

[SmithNut]

beuford,
The best thing to do is contact S&W customer service for additional info to determine what the factory finish should be, as well as when the gun was made.
You need to remember that the last version of the SCSW was printed over 6 years ago (2006 printing), and it's possible that your gun was made since. The factory didn't normally reserve serial numbers on standard production guns, which I'd say would be the category your gun would fall into, albeit (potentially) with a cool finish. Most special numbers were reserved for PC guns and certain commemorative models.
I can't say for certain, but seem to recall the existence of most of the melonite guns showing up the past 4-5 years or so.
Neat gun, if it's original you have a very nice configuration with a very durable non-reflecting surface. Not much to improve on that.

Regards,

 

[Scotter260]

Is the rear night sight dated "99"?

Also, isn't the RJF serial # prefix shared with the Melonite 4566s everyone's ga-ga over?

The reason I ask is because wasn't it determined that those Melonite 4566s started being made around 99? If both are true, it's interesting that they share prefixes and similar dates of manufacture.

PAGING 18DAI!!!!

Very nice pistol sir.

SmithNut - I'm fairly certain that isn't a TSW but if yours is so marked then we've got another thread that needs to be started.

 

[beuford]

Interesting 4046

Is the rear night sight dated "99"?

Yep - it says 99 on the rear site.

I guess that explains the condition of the pistol. The Melonite finish is tough. This gun shows virtually no recognizable wear.

Can't wait to shoot it.

Anyone know the highest serial number seen these RJF-prefixed Melonite finished pistols (either 9mm, .40, or .45)?

Beuford

 

[SmithNut]

Whooooopssss..

Is the rear night sight dated "99"?

Also, isn't the RJF serial # prefix shared with the Melonite 4566s everyone's ga-ga over?

The reason I ask is because wasn't it determined that those Melonite 4566s started being made around 99? If both are true, it's interesting that they share prefixes and similar dates of manufacture.

PAGING 18DAI!!!!

Very nice pistol sir.

SmithNut - I'm fairly certain that isn't a TSW but if yours is so marked then we've got another thread that needs to be started.

Scooter260,
You are absolutely right, not sure what I was thinking the TSW just rolled off my fingertips...

Here's a link to the original thread back when I first acquired the gun above, fairly scarce as only 4 were made with this product code. As mentioned in this tread, the S&W Customer Service individual actually referred to this gun as a "Classic Model"....

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...2-m5946-melonite-pc-150248-one-four-made.html

Regards,

 

[18DAI]

Nice 4046. That finish appears identical to that on my melonite 4566's. I don't see the "M" under finish on the label though. Interesting that you have an "04" on your label. I wonder what that denotes....

The melonite 4566's that were made in 1999, do indeed have RJF serial prefixs as Scotter260 points out. The story on SOME of those is that they were produced in 1999/2000, then sat in the vault till around 2009 when they were released to distributors.

The melonite 4566's were made for LE special orders. I suspect what you have there is from an LE order as well. Not all LE agencies are enamoured with striker fired tupperware guns.

Very nice pistol. Thanks for sharing it with us! Regards 18DAI

 

[beuford]

interesting 4046

Spoke w/CS at S&W today. They identified the 4046 as finished in Melonite, and said that they were a special order of 4046 pistols with Melonite and night sights. Only a few hundred were made.

Goody! A collectable!

Damn! Now I'm afraid to shoot it!

I don't collect safe queens....

Beuford