The development of the Model 52-A is an interesting read. It began with the Model 39 which quite honestly had poor sales in the early years. Even with low sales number the M39 held on and around 1960 the Army renewed it's interest but not for a gun chambered in 9mm, this time they wanted a pistol that would shoot the new, at the time, .38 AMU. S&W developed the Model 39-1 to handle this cartridge but no guns were ever marked with this model number. The ARMY tested three steel prototypes but wanted additional guns this time with alloy frames. S&W manufactured eighty-seven pistols and sent ten to the ARMY for testing. The remaining seventy-seven guns were sold on the commercial market. These guns were basically identical to the Model 39 (same size and also with a 4" barrel) and originally designated to become the Model 39-1. In order to avoid any confusion between the 9mm and .38 AMU, the guns were instead stamped and marketed as the Model 52-A. Starting in 1961 the Model 52 was introduced and developed from the 52-A with changes to include a steel frame, 5" barrel, fully adjustable rear sight and a set screw to deactivate the DA capability. The 52-1 and 52-2 followed with additional modifications and improvement but that's another thread. Included with the pictures below is Unique Model 52-A mag and the early original matching box with the solid border and absent the Bangor Punta Company line in the bottom right hand corner which was added later. Pictures below the box are of a Model 52 for comparison. (Credit R. McMillian 2005 Model 39 Monograph)
