Smith and Wesson Model 39, HELP!!!!

[2K7]

Left Hand Holsters

....and the M39 was carried in a flap holster at the 10 o'clock position, crossdraw for a right hand shooter with the muzzle pointing away from the body. Left hand shooters flap holster was also carried at the 10 o'clock position with the muzzle pointing toward the crotch for stronghand draw. The reason...when in formation, all holsters had to be on the same side of the body for uniformity.

 

[NDFRC]

llinois State Police adopted the Model 39 in 1967 after a two year evaluation process. The agency's first order of 500 guns were Model 39s, but the followup order of 600 guns was Model 39-2s. However, the State Police objected to the two different extractors found in the different models. Therefore, the original order of Model 39s were returned to the factory and retrofitted with a unique interim coil spring loaded extractor. Other police agencies also were given the option of having their guns fitted with the interim extractor. Many of these reworks will have the serial number stamped under the rear sight. Illinois State Police Model 39 handguns are easy to identify because they are stamped on the left side of the frame " ILL. S. P." followed by a property number. In 1972, the Illinois State Police placed a third order for 500 of the Smith & Wesson Model 59.

 

[ispcapt]

Some points of clarification...

llinois State Police adopted the Model 39 in 1967 after a two year evaluation process. The agency's first order of 500 guns were Model 39s, but the followup order of 600 guns was Model 39-2s.

The ISP started transitioning to the 39 in 1967 and by 1968 every sworn was carrying the 39. I forget the exact number of sworn at that time but it was well over 500, closer to 1500. The 39-2 were not produced at that time. Therefore there were more than 500 39-nothings ordered.

However, the State Police objected to the two different extractors found in the different models. Therefore, the original order of Model 39s were returned to the factory and retrofitted with a unique interim coil spring loaded extractor.

The 2 piece long extractor was the fix of the original long extractor on the 39-nothing. The theory that the ISP didn't like 2 different extractors doesn't hold water. The 2 piece long extractor was done before the 39-2 was ever made. Additionally when the 39-2 was finally issued there were still a lot of 39-nothings in the field. The 2 piece long extractor and the 39-2 extractor are 2 different animals and neither interchange with the other.
That means there were still 2 different type extractors issued.
I was issued a used 39-nothing at the Academy. Most of my class got new 39-2. The re-order of new 39-2 was delayed so about 1/3 of my class got turn in re-issue 39-nothings or 39-2.

In 1972, the Illinois State Police placed a third order for 500 of the Smith & Wesson Model 59.

The ISP never issued the Model 59.

 

[NDFRC]

Wow ok, that pretty much discounts everything I posted. I found that info on the net, and that I maybe helping with info, I should know better and I do apologize for any confusion. On the other hand, I do appreciate the corrections for my own knowledge.
Thanks !!
Keith

 

[ispcapt]

Wow ok, that pretty much discounts everything I posted. I found that info on the net, and that I maybe helping with info, I should know better and I do apologize for any confusion. On the other hand, I do appreciate the corrections for my own knowledge.
Thanks !!
Keith

There are a lot of 'experts' posting on the internet and writing gun rags who don't have a clue what they're talking about. There's a well known gun writer who has written for various gun mags and wrote a book claiming the ISP issuing S&W 59. I wrote to him correcting his information. The ISP never issued the 59. He replied back that I was wrong, that he knew what he was correct because he knew the history. He continued other articles about the ISP history of the 39 and issued ammo that was nearly totally wrong. I don't know where he got his information but he sure didn't get it from talking to anyone from our main range or any of the old guys who were around back then.
There's not much being written about the 39 and the ISP anymore. Occasionally an article will refer to the chain of events. Sometimes they get it right, sometimes they don't. When they don't they usually are rehashing the erroneous information from the other gun writer who didn't get it right from the beginning. So the myth gets repeated as fact because some 'expert' wrote a book and for a gun rag.
The best source of info is from the guys who were there. PJO1425 is an excellent resource for that. I don't think I've ever met him but every post I've read of his he's a guy who knows his stuff. He hasn't steered anyone wrong yet that I've read.

 

[PJO1425]

ispcapt, thanks for the kind words.

 

[NDFRC]

I wanted a ISP model 39 for my collection and I think I got lucky finding one with its original box; isp#123 serial 83333. This one has been carried and shows but I think it's part of history and the wear and tear is just genuine provenance!

 

[gmborkovic]

Its kind of amazing the number of these ISPs that have their matching box.
Most people threw them in the rubbish bin.

 

[2K7]

I wanted a ISP model 39 for my collection and I think I got lucky finding one with its original box; isp#123 serial 83333. This one has been carried and shows but I think it's part of history and the wear and tear is just genuine provenance!

... and to add to the confusion, your M39 serial number is some 180 numbers later than mine, however your ISP property code number is 20 some numbers before mine.

Just goes to show they were shelved in no specific order and randomly had the property numbers stamped on.