m39 & 59 conversions
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model 39 and 59 conversions
I've been trying for half a day to post my thread with no success - then it finally just jumped in on its own. Here's what I wanted to say (sorry for the confusion):
About four years ago I saw a non-descript little pistol at a local gun shop. Obviously used, with robber grips – but priced at $1200. I thought it was crazy, but friend told me it was a "Devel", and he had half-a-mind to buy it. Nevertheless, the gun just sat there forever, till something made me to offer $935 for it – and it was accepted. Little did I know that I was entering a quest to hunt down the entire line of Charlie Kelsey Devel conversions for models 39 and 59.
Now my collection is complete – maybe the only full assembly of this kind as of now. On the way, I was adding other M39 – 59 conversions: ASP, Trapper, Behlert. Will be happy to post these if there's interest.
Photo one, from the top: M39 no dash very rare early factory original nickel. Below Devels, row 2&3 left to right: Full House, Chrome Option; Basic Option (#007) and Function & Reliability (the rarest of all Devels)
Photo two, from the top: M59, both smooth straps, one of about 20 made. This was a Sales Rep sample. Note the box, recut to house this gun and numbered to it, and neat wood grips. Under it, left to right: Devels Function & Reliability, Full House and Basic.
Most of my guns came with full set of leathers, 3 mags and original boxes numbered to the guns.
I've been trying for half a day to post my thread with no success - then it finally just jumped in on its own. Here's what I wanted to say (sorry for the confusion):
About four years ago I saw a non-descript little pistol at a local gun shop. Obviously used, with robber grips – but priced at $1200. I thought it was crazy, but friend told me it was a "Devel", and he had half-a-mind to buy it. Nevertheless, the gun just sat there forever, till something made me to offer $935 for it – and it was accepted. Little did I know that I was entering a quest to hunt down the entire line of Charlie Kelsey Devel conversions for models 39 and 59.
Now my collection is complete – maybe the only full assembly of this kind as of now. On the way, I was adding other M39 – 59 conversions: ASP, Trapper, Behlert. Will be happy to post these if there's interest.
Photo one, from the top: M39 no dash very rare early factory original nickel. Below Devels, row 2&3 left to right: Full House, Chrome Option; Basic Option (#007) and Function & Reliability (the rarest of all Devels)
Photo two, from the top: M59, both smooth straps, one of about 20 made. This was a Sales Rep sample. Note the box, recut to house this gun and numbered to it, and neat wood grips. Under it, left to right: Devels Function & Reliability, Full House and Basic.
Most of my guns came with full set of leathers, 3 mags and original boxes numbered to the guns.
I am not even sure what these pistols are or the history behind them but they are sure pretty cool and it is impressive to see them all together. Well done.
loeman
Member
alexan,
I absolutely love your collection. It's always interesting and exciting when I see someone find a niche collecting interest and then relentlessly pursue until the quest is done. You are to be congratulated and commended.
BTW, I've never even seen one of these in person. All the more reason to congratulate.
I absolutely love your collection. It's always interesting and exciting when I see someone find a niche collecting interest and then relentlessly pursue until the quest is done. You are to be congratulated and commended.
BTW, I've never even seen one of these in person. All the more reason to congratulate.
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The 59 Basic looks like it inspired the 469. I always considered the stock 39 the ultimate carry auto, but that 007 - oh, Momma!
Devel
I remember the Devel's and the Asp's quite well.....they were ahead of their time and very nicely done.
I remember the Devel's and the Asp's quite well.....they were ahead of their time and very nicely done.
Beautiful collection!!
Charles Kelsey was quite the interesting fellow to say the least. Here is a link to a brief bio for those that don't know the name that created the Devel.
The Gun Zone -- Charlie Kelsey's Murder
Charles Kelsey was quite the interesting fellow to say the least. Here is a link to a brief bio for those that don't know the name that created the Devel.
The Gun Zone -- Charlie Kelsey's Murder
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Alexan:
What an outstanding collection you have built! Thank you for sharing.
Regards,
Dave
What an outstanding collection you have built! Thank you for sharing.
Regards,
Dave
victorylarry
Member
Very nice collection! I still think to this day there is not better single stack 9mm that is slim, concealable and better handling that one of the custom 39 Devel's. S&W came out with the 469 "Mini" but with a double stack mag making it a bit bulky. Kelsey got it right, and lesser copies from the majors probably put him out of business. Those old Devel's are tough to beat for concealability, reliability and accuracy in an all metal lightweight DA package. Thanks for showing.
Trapper Guns
Those are Trapper Guns Scorpions by Lin "Trapper" Alexiou. I think they are quite outstanding in workmanship, especially the presentation packages. I only saw two, and have them both.
These are my four Scorpions:
This is presentation package #29
And this is #22
Those are Trapper Guns Scorpions by Lin "Trapper" Alexiou. I think they are quite outstanding in workmanship, especially the presentation packages. I only saw two, and have them both.
These are my four Scorpions:
This is presentation package #29
And this is #22
The gun that started it all
Paris Theodore started the trend with his ASP - I consider it a great innovation. Here's one of my ASPs - came with shipping box,holster, mag pouch and the letter from company president, among other papers:
This is the famous Quest for Excellence, #070 out of 100 made:
And, at the end, back to M39-2; factory Nickel A+ engraved, with ivory grips:
Thanks for looking!
Paris Theodore started the trend with his ASP - I consider it a great innovation. Here's one of my ASPs - came with shipping box,holster, mag pouch and the letter from company president, among other papers:
This is the famous Quest for Excellence, #070 out of 100 made:
And, at the end, back to M39-2; factory Nickel A+ engraved, with ivory grips:
Thanks for looking!
Ed Fowler
Member
Carried a Mod 39 for over 5 years, every day! Love them dearly, personally would not change a thing from the factory original.
These days only shoot it on special occasions.
These days only shoot it on special occasions.
DEVEL 39 and 59 Full House, and a Behlert full house 59.
Is your Behlert signed? All Behlerts I have are signed, but I heard that sometime he didn't sign.
Great collection. I got rid of my ASP, but still have theses three: DEVEL 39 and 59 Full House, and a Behlert full house 59.
Is your Behlert signed? All Behlerts I have are signed, but I heard that sometime he didn't sign.
Very nice collection(s), guys.
The owner of the largest collection of Devels of all shapes and sizes is pistol smith Wayne Novak, who was a personal friend of Charlie Kelsey. I have been fortunate enough to be friends with Wayne for the past 30 years, and usually visit his shop every year. While my taste runs more towards the excellent work his shop does on 1911s and BHPs (and own/have owned dozens of each from them), Wayne has shared his collection with me over some fine scotch. He has all of Kelsey's personal guns, including some that no one knows about, and Wayne also has cornered the market on my personal favorites, the Devel Gammons. Go to his website for some pictures.
When the 3913 came out, I had the opportunity one day to do a comparison shoot between the 3913, a full-house Devel 39, and an ASP. Smith & Wesson certainly learned a lot by then. The 3913 was actually the best gun as s hooter of all three, and I carried one near the end of my LE career. I would pick the Devel next, as the quality of work was superior, IMHO, to the ASP. The ASP was the first, however, and deserves its place in history.
The owner of the largest collection of Devels of all shapes and sizes is pistol smith Wayne Novak, who was a personal friend of Charlie Kelsey. I have been fortunate enough to be friends with Wayne for the past 30 years, and usually visit his shop every year. While my taste runs more towards the excellent work his shop does on 1911s and BHPs (and own/have owned dozens of each from them), Wayne has shared his collection with me over some fine scotch. He has all of Kelsey's personal guns, including some that no one knows about, and Wayne also has cornered the market on my personal favorites, the Devel Gammons. Go to his website for some pictures.
When the 3913 came out, I had the opportunity one day to do a comparison shoot between the 3913, a full-house Devel 39, and an ASP. Smith & Wesson certainly learned a lot by then. The 3913 was actually the best gun as s hooter of all three, and I carried one near the end of my LE career. I would pick the Devel next, as the quality of work was superior, IMHO, to the ASP. The ASP was the first, however, and deserves its place in history.
Novak collection
Of course Wayne has the most comprehensive collection of Devels. He's been very helpful to me in my quest and I'm most grateful. It was he who told me that to his knowledge I have the only full collection of Devel M39 and M59 in the country.
And yes, IMO ASP was the trailblazer.
Of course Wayne has the most comprehensive collection of Devels. He's been very helpful to me in my quest and I'm most grateful. It was he who told me that to his knowledge I have the only full collection of Devel M39 and M59 in the country.
And yes, IMO ASP was the trailblazer.
Engine49guy
Member
Paris Theodore started the trend with his ASP - ...
Just saw the same gun in a friends collection, He thought it was a 60's era conversion until I pointed out the A serial prefix and new style narrow extractor (IIRC was app A-400,000 era so late 70's ?)
SCSW has them as rare and collectable but do you have a fair market value range for a gun only with one mag , no box or docs in VG+ to Ex cond, exactly same config as one pictured above ?
Thanks for sharing
