Plum slide on a anib 39-2

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BAM-BAM

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To make a short story long....................

About 15 years ago I bought a anib 39-2 with the box , docs and a nice extra set of faux ivory grips; about 2 years later I traded it on "something" (probably a S&W revolver) at a small rural gunshop....... low and behold 3 years ago it was back in that same gunshop's case ...... still anib! Could not resist.......................it's mine again!

The Model 39 seems to have a strange draw on me.... I've had and sold 4 or 5 over the past 30/35 years; but haven't shot or carried one since I got my first 6906 and 3913 around 1990. The 39 just feel so 'right" in your hand........

Anyway the 39-2 I have now has a distinctly Plum tint to the slide.... I've got $400 in it but figure with the Plum slide and more than 300,000 other 39s out there .... I should shoot and maybe carry this one from time to time.

My question is the "plum" slide a deal killer on this gun ever being considered collectible?? If it is my decision is an easy one! :D
 
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BAM-BAM said:
Is the "plum" slide a deal killer on this gun ever being considered collectible?
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I know what I would do, but you know that I am anal about the cosmetic condition of my guns... and this one has "history" with you. :) I'd have the slide refinished. :D Perhaps even by the mothership. :)

Unfortunately, I worry that you'd think I'm talking about a Cerakote paint job! :eek: :eek: :eek: Never!!! :D

No, I mean a high-quality re-bluing job... choosing a company and method such that the plum color will be least likely to come back. :cool: Post on the Dan Wesson forum for a recommendation. ;) Ouch! :p

My most recent case of buying a gun wherein I was not satisfied with the cosmetic condition it arrived in... I took the hit and resold it. :o But it wasn't a Model 39-2. This gun has history with you and deserves better. And I know you can afford the re-bluing job. :p Go for it! :D

As for its collectability status... who cares? :)
 
My expert opinion is that the coloring renders the gun virtually worthless. However, gentleman that I am, I’ll offer you $200 for it AND pay the shipping. I can melt it down and make wheel weights. ;)
 
39-2 as a collectable? I dont know about that. The 9mm (pre 39s)
and the steel frames and military 39s have a very strong following.
Now, if you come across a 39 chambered for .30 cal. Luger, you call me.
 
gmborkovic said:
39-2 as a collectable? I dont know about that. The 9mm (pre 39s)
and the steel frames and military 39s have a very strong following.
Now, if you come across a 39 chambered for .30 cal. Luger, you call me.
Click to expand...

I scored a "minty" 50 year old, never been out of someone's sock drawer pre-39; few years back I sold it a few years back to MBliss a member here as I knew I'd never shoot it......

After 3 years I'm back to my recurring model 39 dilemma/cycle...... it's been sitting in the safe;...... do I actually shoot/carry it or just trade it off.

IIRC there were over 350,000 39s built.... add the Plum color and even though it's unfired ....it's nothing special. Frankly I'd rather have a 639.:D
 
How ‘bout a compromise? Why not sell yours (surely worth more than you have in it) and buy a shooter?
 
BAM-BAM said:
Not and internet buyer and haven't seen one around here in a good while...... come to think of it not since I bought this one!!!!!
Click to expand...

For a moment, I considered trying to work out a deal with you, as I have multiples (a couple NIB and a shooter each in blue and nickel). So, I had a look and I paid a lot more than $400 for each of them, including the shooters. :(

I really believe this is a chance for you to make some money. Regardless of whether their actually “collectible” or not, they do sell for real money.
 
On the S&W 39 series I've never seen a original blue slide turn plum color from age or wear. Fade out and / or lighten up, yes but plum colored, no.

That includes the entire series of pre-39s, Model 39s all the way through the entire 39-2 production.

That usually indicates a refinish at some time in the past. Originally the blue on the slide is much softer color than the black on the alloy frame, right out of the box.

During a certain run of 39-2s there were some plum-ish looking and / or more slightly straw colored slide stop but that's it, only that part.

The only guns I can recall a plum-ish / blue is on the slides of the early Clark 1911s with the extended slide to accomdate the 6" barrel.
 
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Makarovs and Norinco 1911s turn rightly purple when blued. Something to do with the super hardness of the steel.
 
Back in the 1980's I had a Model 39-2, it had not been refinished, but the slide was a plum color. My current Model 439 slide also has a plum tint to its bluing. Again, my 439 is a factory original piece, not refinished. The plum color on S&W steel slides seems to be a common occurrence, I'd wager that it is due to the steel alloy they used for their slides.
 
I have to agree with stansdds. In the mid to late 90's I bought a NIB 52-2. Over the years the slide has developed the plum tint to the slide (only). The gun has never been refinished.

Does this hurt its collectability? Yes, probably! However, I shoot this pistol on a regular basis and its going nowhere. I get too much enjoyment in it to sell it.

So BAM-BAM, my advice to you is to shoot it, and carry it from time to time to time. There were so many of them made, I doubt it will become a true collectable anyway, at least in our lifetimes.
 
I'm quite surprised at the above two posts. I haven't encountered any serious plum coloring and I've come across a whole lot of blued 1st Gens in my travels. :confused: Maybe we need to differentiate between a serious plum problem à la Dan Wesson (below) vs. a minor plum tint that we sometimes perceive only because the 1st Gen frames are so rich jet black! ;)

Or maybe I don't get out as much as I think I do. :p
 

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