Model 39 no dash, 4 digit SN

[GT_80]

Picked this up recently, four digit serial number is early manufacture, no dash model 39 - has the original long style extractor. Came with 2 factory mags, one with a plastic follower and one with a metal stamped and formed follower.

Has target sights, and I have the factory ones with an install tool, and the instructions for the sights.

This has to be the nicest feeling semi I have held. Call me a boomer, but the classics are the best- and I have a lot of polymer wonders…

 

[Engine49guy]

Very nice earlyish Model 39,

I have never kept a record of Model 39 serials but IIRC serial 2875 shipped April 1959 , if so that would likely indicate that even though your gun has a 4 digital serial my bet is it shipped maybe like 1960 or the very early 60's, there was just another post with three steel frame examples that are 1964 guns to compare which are in the low 60,000 range.

One thing that is interesting is that while your frame has the new style long tang your slide has the older 50's style slide stop cut.
Neat gun.

Btw would love to see pics of your magazine followers, the 50's era mags had a flat follower but this changed to what I call the "figure 8" follower sometime early on.

 

[cougar015]

That's a nice 4 digit gun, All the model 39's just seem to fit in one's hand like it was part of it. The SWCA data base shows most s/n's in the 86XX range shipped mid 1959. This can be narrowed down with the exact s/n.
The magazine with the metal stamped or "figure 8" follower is original and 9mm and S&W should be stamped on the baseplate. The magazine with the plastic follower is a later mag and depending on the color of the follower could be a late 39 or even a 2nd gen mag and only stamped S&W on the baseplate. The baseplate is probably shorter on this one. The flat followers were discontinued around s/n 8000.

 

[GT_80]

Btw would love to see pics of your magazine followers, the 50's era mags had a flat follower but this changed to what I call the "figure 8" follower sometime early on.

Both Mags are S&W, one has the X follower and the base plate has the script S&W and 9mm, the other one has the plastic follower and just script S&W on the baseplate.

 

[GT_80]

That's a nice 4 digit gun, All the model 39's just seem to fit in one's hand like it was part of it. The SWCA data base shows most s/n's in the 86XX range shipped mid 1959. This can be narrowed down with the exact s/n.
The magazine with the metal stamped or "figure 8" follower is original and 9mm and S&W should be stamped on the baseplate. The magazine with the plastic follower is a later mag and depending on the color of the follower could be a late 39 or even a 2nd gen mag and only stamped S&W on the baseplate. The baseplate is probably shorter on this one. The flat followers were discontinued around s/n 8000.

You are right on with the marking on my mags. Thanks for the info on the year range. I love this thing.

I chased the double stacks for a while, have a 4046 Brinks Security gun (cool laser etched brinks logo), a near mint 469, and a 6906 (which is really bulky to me). But the 39 feels the best in the hand. Second would be the 469 which shoots amazingly well.

 

[gmborkovic]

Brad, there are probably a handful of 39 students that have ever noticed the early rounded slide stop notch. I have examples in the 60K and 80K Sn.
that have the early notch. The notch morphed into the angular notch we see in the later -2s. Just an observation. Mike

 

[GT_80]

I don’t know enough about these to know what is common or uncommon yet. I just know it feels great in the hand and has a great trigger, and amazing style. I like this better than my Beretta 92FS, even though that’s a sweet gun.

 

[Tntcwg3]

Picked this up recently, four digit serial number is early manufacture, no dash model 39 -
This has to be the nicest feeling semi I have held. Call me a boomer, but the classics are the best- and I have a lot of polymer wonders...

Congratulations on a very nice acquisition! You may not be aware of it yet, but the 39 is a gateway drug. I'm afraid you're going to end up yielding to the temptation to acquire all of the 9mm single stack variations that this model spawned!
I don't mean to disparage you........you'll find happiness.....but will go broke in the process!
Now, let's get you in the hunt for the 52 and 952s!

 

[Engine49guy]

Brad, there are probably a handful of 39 students that have ever noticed the early rounded slide stop notch. I have examples in the 60K and 80K Sn.
that have the early notch. The notch morphed into the angular notch we see in the later -2s. Just an observation. Mike

To add another layer of Mod 39 OCD the early pre 39 slide stop notch cut shape is different than the ones from the 60's.
I only recently noticed the slide ribs were different on 50's vs 60's guns too.