Model -39 1062xx serial number value?

[Boonelicious]

I received this gun when my grandfather passed away in excellent condition. just wondering its history and approximate value? Thanks

 

[824tsv]

Hello, and welcome to the forum from snowy Canada. It's going to take some educated guessing to pinpoint the date of manufacture without requesting a factory letter directly from S&W. The serial number tables that I'm referring to are in the Standard Catalog of S&W, 3rd edition. Serial numbers start at 1001 in 1954, but that encompasses several models. The serial numbers without a letter prefix end in 1970 at 115000. Serial numbers then begin with an "A" prefix at 115001, or A115001. Previous to 1970, there is no break down with serial numbers to given years. Here's where the guessing starts. I'm going to say 1968-69. Maybe someone else can chime in with some better information if they have a lettered 39 from S&W with a close serial number. In affixing a value to your pistol, condition is everything. We will need a couple of pictures to give you a decent value estimate, but I'll go out on a limb and say an excellent original 39 will go for $400-$500 in my area, maybe more in your neck of the woods. To quote the SCSW "The Model 39 is the beginning of the first generation of S&W centerfire semi-autos. It was the first American made double action 9mm semi-auto and as such is the predecessor of the "wonder-nines" which began to figure prominently in the U.S. market in the 1980's and 1990's."

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

68-69 is correct - very close to year-end 68 - first of 69