Pre-39 Picture Thread

[Goony]

Here's an early one to start off with (in the high 1100 serial number range) that has lettered as a salesman's sample, being shipped in July, 1955 to S&W's representative for the southeastern region of the country. That's the original box, with the paper wrap inside practically undisturbed, but the booklet and tools are missing, unfortunately. Has the correct flat follower type magazine (just the one, though). It does show some evidence of being handled, holstered, and shot, which I don't regard as unexpected, given its history. Still, it's a 99%'er, at least.

 

[JJEH]

Such a nice pistol. Congrats.

 

[Engine49guy]

Beautiful example Goony,
As the lowest serial is reportedly 1001, yours would be one of the first 200 guns made.
Wondering if your barrel rollstamp says 9mm cartridge or just 9mm and if it came with a removable ejection port cover ?

 

[Goony]

Wondering if your barrel rollstamp says 9mm cartridge or just 9mm and if it came with a removable ejection port cover ?

The barrel is marked "9 M.M. CTG."

The ejection port cover (aka "dust cover") wasn't an available accessory until quite some time later (well into Model 39 production), the frames of the earlier guns not even having the necessary groove for them.

 

[sophie]

Great looking, rare find. I bet you are proud right now.

 

[Goony]

Great looking, rare find. I bet you are proud right now.

Thank you, but this is no recent acquisition - although I no longer recall where or exactly when I got it, I've certainly had it for around two decades, maybe even longer. However, I didn't letter it until last year.

 

[Cyrano]

Lovely pistol; great find. I'm a delicate shade of green now; my pre-39 is a real dog.

 

[JJEH]

Dog or no, still would like to see it. In fact, I was hoping for a few other photos to be posted by now to justify the "picture thread" title.

Wish I had one...

 

[lah1940]

S&W Pre 39 Serial 1446

Here is mine

 

[lah1940]

ACouple Of More Shots

I purchased this pistol a couple of years ago from the son of the gentleman who originally purchased it. The son said his dad purchased a large number of pistols that he never fired and the pistol looks brand new and unfired.

 

[Model39]

Pre-Model 39 Serial # 2277 (June 1956)

My Pre-Model 39 #2277 (June 1956) complete with original box and green/white glossy instructional booklet.

 

[p0838]

Nice pistol
Try to find a removable ejection port cover or a left stock. You will be looking for quite a while.

 

[kwill1911]

Here's one of the USAF/Goose Bay guns.

I'd also like to see a picture thread on the Model 39 (no dash) pistols. Anybody want to start one?

Regards,
Kevin Williams

 

[Goony]

I'm wondering how consistent the manufacturing details of these early guns we've documented so far are. They obviously all have the truncated tang, as well as the stubby safety lever and corresponding unrelieved left stock.

Do all have the "PAT'S PENDING" marking on the slide's right side? Supposedly some don't.

Another characteristic for which there seems to be some variation is the short curved relief cut at the front of the slide. Serial number 2277 above looks to me as if that cut is longer than is typical, for instance. My example is odd in this respect in that the cut on the right side is noticeably longer than the one on the left.

 

[Goony]

I'd also like to see a picture thread on the Model 39 (no dash) pistols. Anybody want to start one?

Done. Maybe overdone.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...el-39-non-2-picture-thread.html#post136317926

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...me-model-39-picture-thread.html#post136317915

 

[Cyrano]

Here's my somewhat bedraggled specimen. It has a magazine with a stamped, vertical, follower instead of a flat follower that was probably originally sold with the pistol. Left grip is a replacement.

Thanks for starting the other threads: Model 39 and steel frame. I'll be posting there when I get some pix.

Kwill1911: please post the info on the "USAF/Goose Bay guns". Was this a military contract? How many guns involved, etc, etc.

 

[Goony]

Here's my somewhat bedraggled specimen.

Obviously carried a lot, but that's honest, honorable wear. We always have to remind ourselves that the vast majority of our "holy grail" guns were not originally purchased to be set aside and preserved so as to satisfy the lust of future collectors....

 

[kwill1911]

Cyrano,

There will be an article published in the summer edition of the S&WCA Journal that provides as much detail as is known about the Goose Bay guns, as well as information about other military shipments of Model 39 pistols.

Regards,
Kevin Williams

 

[Cyrano]

Thanks, kwill1911; guess I'll hafta join the S&WCA. Who's the author; Richard McMillan?

Gooney: Not visible, but there's an actual groove, fairly deep, in the frame insert where the strap of a holster went across it.

 

[carguy714]

My new to me 39-2.