Chief-wahoo
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My Non RSR Transitional Family is growing! Pics added!!
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Chief-wahoo
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Come on does anyone have any info on the pilot or transitional series pistols? Articles, advertising pages anything?
Shorty 45 MK2
Member
Nice family! 
Sorry no info.
Sorry no info.
Wa-Hooooooooo-oooo
Oh, I think that's supposed to be "Ya-Hooooo."
Oh, well.
Chief-Wahoo, I too chase transitionals (officially distinguished as "Interim" and "Pilot") and, I tell you, those you have are pretty doggone cool.
As the attached image of an old RSR advertisement (below) shows, these actually existed (there once was doubt of such expressed within this forum) and provides other information, although scant (I know, I want MORE, too!), but which may hopefully ring your chimes, Chief-Wahoo.
In a tangential story: Recently, one of the "real" auction houses - conducted live with floor and 'Net bidders - offered a 459 that had, as does one of yours, a Model 459 in a 4590-marked box (having all those special codes and etc.) and, importantly, a corresponding "RSR XXXX" serial number.
The 459 noted above slipped through my fingers because the auction house evidently doubted my sincerity and lowered a $1,150 "maximum" bid to $550. The $1,150 was actually between the estimated sale numbers the auction house posted and represented what I'd be willing to pay at retail (additionally considering commissions, taxes, S/H and etc.) for that particular gun at that particular time. I've been doing this collecting thing for a while now and feel I've got a decent handle on it . . . not a mistake-free handle, but a decent one.
In something the auction house couldn't have known but in the week immediately before the "459" auction I'd bought a No-No (my second, known as a "Pre-39" to some) and a primo Model 469 (my third and added to a beloved 469-through-6906 mini-collection within the overall collection).
Realizing a personal weakness, I learned a long time ago to put up numbers I can live with meeting and then avoiding like a plague any further actions having to do with that specific auction until AFTER the auction concluded. In that manner I avoid the testosterone rushes during a live auction and which compels a male bidder to go where he darn well doesn't belong, "monetarily" and "stupidly" speaking that is.
It's served me well, now having more than 200 handguns in my collection (99.5% being S&W) with roughly 90-percent having been acquired using my above method.
When I saw the gun had sold for $750 I naturally thought it was mine but then later realized the above occurred after an informational exchange with the auction house.
Sadly, their actions only screwed themselves of gross profit based on at least $800, presuming the other bidder at that price wished to go no further. Had he wished to go higher and then still higher, I then could've potentially gone to at least my maximum bid and the auction house's percentage bump from there.
Indeed, I've even bought two handguns I didn't really want through a combination of brain fade, brain farting and viewing listings late at night when too doggone tired and, no lie, evidently clicking on "Buy Now" when I didn't really want to "Buy Now." I still paid for them without hassle or debate. Funny thing: I made money on 'em upon reselling. It's a strange world out here.
The buyer of that above 459, however, was looking for a quick retail score, having afterward immediately put it up on GunAuction for $1,295. My stomach dropped when I saw it.
That and any buyer had and has every right to pursue a resale. It's what manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers do every single day. Additionally, it's probable the buyer of that 459 is clueless of what happened to me. Frankly, I hope the buyer-turned-seller gets that $1,295. It's just not gonna come from me. I made a $1,150 (about $1,400 when all the dust settled) run at that gun and that is that.
If you're still with me, Chief-Wahoo, upon discovery I promise to provide additional hard material within this S&W Forum and hope you'll be kind enough to do the same for me and all those others out there who are interested in S&W history.
Oh, I think that's supposed to be "Ya-Hooooo."
Oh, well.
Chief-Wahoo, I too chase transitionals (officially distinguished as "Interim" and "Pilot") and, I tell you, those you have are pretty doggone cool.
As the attached image of an old RSR advertisement (below) shows, these actually existed (there once was doubt of such expressed within this forum) and provides other information, although scant (I know, I want MORE, too!), but which may hopefully ring your chimes, Chief-Wahoo.
In a tangential story: Recently, one of the "real" auction houses - conducted live with floor and 'Net bidders - offered a 459 that had, as does one of yours, a Model 459 in a 4590-marked box (having all those special codes and etc.) and, importantly, a corresponding "RSR XXXX" serial number.
The 459 noted above slipped through my fingers because the auction house evidently doubted my sincerity and lowered a $1,150 "maximum" bid to $550. The $1,150 was actually between the estimated sale numbers the auction house posted and represented what I'd be willing to pay at retail (additionally considering commissions, taxes, S/H and etc.) for that particular gun at that particular time. I've been doing this collecting thing for a while now and feel I've got a decent handle on it . . . not a mistake-free handle, but a decent one.
In something the auction house couldn't have known but in the week immediately before the "459" auction I'd bought a No-No (my second, known as a "Pre-39" to some) and a primo Model 469 (my third and added to a beloved 469-through-6906 mini-collection within the overall collection).
Realizing a personal weakness, I learned a long time ago to put up numbers I can live with meeting and then avoiding like a plague any further actions having to do with that specific auction until AFTER the auction concluded. In that manner I avoid the testosterone rushes during a live auction and which compels a male bidder to go where he darn well doesn't belong, "monetarily" and "stupidly" speaking that is.
It's served me well, now having more than 200 handguns in my collection (99.5% being S&W) with roughly 90-percent having been acquired using my above method.
When I saw the gun had sold for $750 I naturally thought it was mine but then later realized the above occurred after an informational exchange with the auction house.
Sadly, their actions only screwed themselves of gross profit based on at least $800, presuming the other bidder at that price wished to go no further. Had he wished to go higher and then still higher, I then could've potentially gone to at least my maximum bid and the auction house's percentage bump from there.
Indeed, I've even bought two handguns I didn't really want through a combination of brain fade, brain farting and viewing listings late at night when too doggone tired and, no lie, evidently clicking on "Buy Now" when I didn't really want to "Buy Now." I still paid for them without hassle or debate. Funny thing: I made money on 'em upon reselling. It's a strange world out here.
The buyer of that above 459, however, was looking for a quick retail score, having afterward immediately put it up on GunAuction for $1,295. My stomach dropped when I saw it.
That and any buyer had and has every right to pursue a resale. It's what manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers do every single day. Additionally, it's probable the buyer of that 459 is clueless of what happened to me. Frankly, I hope the buyer-turned-seller gets that $1,295. It's just not gonna come from me. I made a $1,150 (about $1,400 when all the dust settled) run at that gun and that is that.
If you're still with me, Chief-Wahoo, upon discovery I promise to provide additional hard material within this S&W Forum and hope you'll be kind enough to do the same for me and all those others out there who are interested in S&W history.
skjos
Member
If I'm understanding the Interim and Pilot models correctly, they pre-date the RSR transitional models, and carry the old 2nd gen model number on the frame, but the box has the model number with an extra "0" (4690 or 6590).
Were the interim and pilot model of the 645 both marked with a 6450 on the box?
Were the interim and pilot model of the 645 both marked with a 6450 on the box?
I don't know if it is exactly what you are looking for but Cherry's Fine Guns has a 6690 for sale for $600.00. Or at least they did a day or so ago.
I have no connection to them or the gun, just saw it on their website.
I have no connection to them or the gun, just saw it on their website.
Yes and yes, they predate the RSR models by three years, and they all have the added "0" on the box only. The RSR models, although limited in production, were made circa 1991, and utilized "leftover" second gen parts, primarily slide assemblies. So to be clear, RSR models are not transitional models at all, as they were all made way after the introduction of the third gen models, they just happened to use some of the designations only found on the box of true transitionals, not the pistols themselves...and the photo shown above by DCW is actually mine, it's a photocopy of a sales flyer I took a picture of and posted here on another thread. It has nothing to do with RSR prefix models....it was printed in 1988, as you can see by the hand written "1988" circled on the photocopy....this flyer pertains to the TBY, TBU, TBV, and other prefix true transitional models...
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Just to clarify, an RSR model will have that serial prefix, as well as the corresponding four digit model number stamped on the frame, "6590", or "6690" for example, while the true 1988 transitionals will have three digit model numbers stamped on the pistol, and four digit model numbers on the box only.....
OP
Chief-wahoo
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Yeah thanks 10ring I saw that Friday on Cherrys web page actually had it on hold until today I decided to stay away from the rsr guns and stay focused on Transitional and interim pistols along with Colt Double Eagles
A bit more info, based on my own research into the interim/transitional models (non RSR). I have found that it appears only the "pilot" versions have "special" on the box label, and all seem to have a Spec. Ord. number of 14xx (1408, 1410), which is clearly not a julian date. The "interim" models, which were built on second gen frames, do not have "Special" on the box label, and carry a julian date (all late 1988). I also should note that the box labels do not have the SI or SP suffix on the product code, this appears to be added to the sales flyer as an item number only, and some models carry the second gen standard product code. It also appears that ALL interim/pilot models were only available in fixed sight versions. There are clearly models not listed in the example flyer, as 6690, as well as 4590 models were made as well (again, non RSR prefix).
skjos
Member
skjos
Member
"TBS" is shown on the 6590 box in the original post.
Thanks, Grif84, no malicious intent existed in my heart.
I failed to note the originator of the above image when I first DL'd it and I'm rather embarrassed that such transpired. I read and acquire so much doggone S&W material I couldn't remember from whence it came.
It won't happen again because the file now contains proper notes.
Furthermore, thank you for delineating the supposed "RSR Transitional," of which "being one" is even noted within one notable, oft-cited book within this S&W Forum and from which most sellers derive information.
Sometimes "corrections" smart; but learning is even smarter.
Thanks, again, Grif84.
I failed to note the originator of the above image when I first DL'd it and I'm rather embarrassed that such transpired. I read and acquire so much doggone S&W material I couldn't remember from whence it came.
It won't happen again because the file now contains proper notes.
Furthermore, thank you for delineating the supposed "RSR Transitional," of which "being one" is even noted within one notable, oft-cited book within this S&W Forum and from which most sellers derive information.
Sometimes "corrections" smart; but learning is even smarter.
Thanks, again, Grif84.
OP
Chief-wahoo
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Hey Griff, what happened to the article you had up?
Not sure what article you're talking about Chief, if you meant the ad, DCW posted it above...
RSR Box End Label and Questions
For the sake of comparison to the true transitional labels* supplied by Grif684, above, is an image, below, as taken from one of my RSR-serial number boxes.
Question:
Recognizing that a handgun plus its original, properly labeled box equals a more desirable condition than a handgun without its box, are the serial-number prefixes TBS, TBU, TBV,TBW, and TBY likely to have been solely affixed to the transitionals as are the "RSR" prefixes assigned to the, well, the RSR guns?
Thanks.
For the sake of comparison to the true transitional labels* supplied by Grif684, above, is an image, below, as taken from one of my RSR-serial number boxes.
Question:
Recognizing that a handgun plus its original, properly labeled box equals a more desirable condition than a handgun without its box, are the serial-number prefixes TBS, TBU, TBV,TBW, and TBY likely to have been solely affixed to the transitionals as are the "RSR" prefixes assigned to the, well, the RSR guns?
Thanks.
