Model 39 1st gen.

[Charlie68]

Can Anyone help me. I have a first generation Smith & Wesson model 39 serial number 313XX. Smith & Wesson tells me it was made in 1950. The pistol came with the original blued slide but also what i think in a second gen nickel plated slide, are the 2 interchangeable? Thanks in advance with any information anyone can give.

 

[snw19_357]

Why do you think it's a 2nd gen slide?

No, they are not interchangeable, without modification. The 2nd gens have a firing pin safety and the 1st gens didn't have a lever in the frame to move it out of the way.

 

[Charlie68]

Thank you for the information. I think it's a second gen slide because I can't find anything first gen nickel plated. I could be wrong. Semper Fi brother.

 

[Sevens]

1950 is not a correct date for a 31xxx Model 39 ni-dash. I suspect your pistol is closer to 1964.

Indeed, re: slide, flip it over and look for a round button on the underside of the slide, that is a lever-actuated firing pin lock which is a key and very noticeable upgrade on a 2nd Gen slide. If it has the firing pin lock it will not function on a 1st Gen frame without alteration.

For what it's worth, I believe it would be a poor idea to make any changes to a classic no-dash Model 39. These have been out production since 1970 (I think?) and if the desire to customize or alter a 39 were had, there are literally hundreds of thousands of 39-2's out there to be to chased.

Not that you even suggested you would do that, but I still wanted to say it. ;)

 

[Sevens]

Charlie, there were LOTS of 1st Gen 39-2's and 59's that were nickel plated. (39-2/59 slide is exactly the same and have nothing to distinguish between them)

It could be that you are using the term 1st Gen mistakenly -- both the 39 no-dash and the updated 39-2 are 1st Gen pistols. All of the 2nd Gen pistols were given three digit model numbers.

 

[Charlie68]

Thanks! the nickle slide looks to be first gen also. No I wouldn't modify this pistol. Now it looks like I need to get it properly dated

 

[H Richard]

This 5 Digit S/N with no alpha prefix would be a very early Mod 39, probably from 1955 to 1956. It should have the long extractor.

 

[Charlie68]

Yes it has the Long extractor. I checking with S&W again today last time I talked to them they told me 1950 for serial number 313xx double checking

 

[kwill1911]

I think 313XX would have probably shipped in 1958 or 1959 but a lot of these were shipped out of sequence. It cannot be 1950 since the pistol was not introduced until 1954.

 

[NDFRC]

4 digit serial

What year would my 4 digit 39 no dash land? Just curious
#7175, I happened on it in a local pawn.
Thanks