Show me your ASP

[ace22]

This is the only one I have. Devel Model 39-2 Full House Conversion. I have shot it. It's really a nice piece of craftsmanship. IMO

if I didn't know better i'd say that was my devel.

then again maybe I should get in my safe and dig it up just to make sure mine's still there.

 

[mbliss57]

 

[BAM-BAM]

LOL I lusted over those guns in the early 80s........ but send them a gun and $1200-1400....... wow big $$$$s in those days!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fast forward to 1989...... 1st 3913s were a dream come true!!!!!! at about 1/5th the cost of a Devel , ASP or Behlert.

 

[Mercs]

I have to say the Devel, in my mind, is the prettiest little single stack pistol I’ve ever seen. I have a particular affinity for very small pistols that are reliable and combat worthy. I marvel at the engineering, time, and thought that went into these custom Smiths. The Devel just speaks to me. I don’t know if I’ll ever even hold one. I guess I have found my “grail gun”


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[Mercs]

LOL I lusted over those guns in the early 80s........ but send them a gun and $1200-1400....... wow big $$$$s in those days!!!!!!!!!!!!



Fast forward to 1989...... 1st 3913s were a dream come true!!!!!! at about 1/5th the cost of a Devel , ASP or Behlert.

There are still some collectors that don’t even know how Smith came up with the model 3913. If they would’ve listened to an unassuming holster maker, and went ahead with the design earlier, they could have maybe grabbed some more of that market before Glock steamrolled right over them. May have been typical big business not wanting to pay the man his dues, and just go ahead and copy him instead. I’ll see if I can find a good write up on the whole story to post


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[mbliss57]

There are still some collectors that don’t even know how Smith came up with the model 3913. If they would’ve listened to an unassuming holster maker, and went ahead with the design earlier, they could have maybe grabbed some more of that market before Glock steamrolled right over them. May have been typical big business not wanting to pay the man his dues, and just go ahead and copy him instead. I’ll see if I can find a good write up on the whole story to post


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I have that article on the Devel from Guns and Ammo from 1980 not just -the cover page. I'll post it if anyone is interested. (I do't think its copy write protected. It tells alot abut Charles Kelsey the inventor/ salesman/ shooter. The article speaks specifically about the Devel 59. I had a chance to buy 1 of each a full house 39 and 59 at the Columbus S&W meeting (Symposium) in 2013(?) I believe. I really love the Devel 39 ( Its the Ultimate package for 1980) although hindsight tells me I should have bought both as I have only seen a couple of partial conversions since then. Sometimes you have to take what seems to much money and amortize it over 10, 20 or 30 years or more... then it gets reasonable really fast.

 

[Mercs]

I have that article on the Devel from Guns and Ammo from 1980 not just -the cover page. I'll post it if anyone is interested. (I do't think its copy write protected. It tells alot abut Charles Kelsey the inventor/ salesman/ shooter. The article speaks specifically about the Devel 59. I had a chance to buy 1 of each a full house 39 and 59 at the Columbus S&W meeting (Symposium) in 2013(?) I believe. I really love the Devel 39 ( Its the Ultimate package for 1980) although hindsight tells me I should have bought both as I have only seen a couple of partial conversions since then. Sometimes you have to take what seems to much money and amortize it over 10, 20 or 30 years or more... then it gets reasonable really fast.

I would love to read that article


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[charles_the_hammer]

The ASP is just too cool. I'll probably never see one IRL much less own or even shoot one. Love the translucent grips and the sight.

 

[Mercs]

What do you want to know?



It's one of only two know Model 59's conversions Behlert did and the only 'blued' one. He accurized a bunch of them and did conversion on many other pistols but very few Model 59's.

A New York judge had him convert it and I bought it from John Jovino's when his wife sold it.

Thanks for the detailed pics, that is certainly an interesting little pistol! I had no idea Behlert even did any 59’s. Very very cool


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[mbliss57]

I would love to read that article


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Here is full article: I don't think it's a copy right infringement. If I it is I hope can count on the Mods to take it down!

 

[one eye joe]

Absolutely... Brain fade on my part. Hard chrome is a great finish and I’d still shoot a Devel in a heartbeat!

THANKS FOR THE CORRECTION. I DID NOT REMEMBER THE DEVEL AS BEING A STAINLESS WEAPON.....

THEN AGAIN, I'M AN OL' GEEZER WHO ALSO EXPERIENCES OCCASIONAL BRAIN FADES......

 

[18DAI]

Great read! Thank you for posting it mbliss57!!

I have always been amazed at what S&W stole....er..."borrowed" from Paris Theodore and Charles Kelsey. Regards 18DAI

 

[Mercs]

Here is full article: I don't think it's a copy right infringement. If I it is I hope can count on the Mods to take it down!

Great job! It wasn’t blurry or anything. I bet I would never had the pleasure to read that great old article, had you not been able to post it here. That’s just good stuff man


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[Mercs]

The first ASP I’ve seen for sale in a loooooooong time just popped up on gunbroker. Search 39-2 asp


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[18DAI]

Mercs, you may want to delete that auction link. Thats a no-no here now.

I never could afford an ASP, even if I had come across one. So I settled for this. Grandson of the ASP. Regards 18DAI

 

[Mercs]

Mercs, you may want to delete that auction link. Thats a no-no here now.



I never could afford an ASP, even if I had come across one. So I settled for this. Grandson of the ASP. Regards 18DAI

Good catch thx, I edited. Can’t argue with the CS9, at a tenth of the cost of this ASP. I carry a CS9 as well [emoji1360]


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[snw19_357]

There was also one that just ended on Sunday.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/785592181

 

[hacker51]

ASP 9 mm

Here's mine worn a little but still great shooter

 

[Mercs]

Here's mine worn a little but still great shooter

An ASP that looks to have seen some action... VERY cool. You are lucky to be able to shoot that!


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