Strange Model 39

[TNZ71]

A friend asked my opinion on this Smith and Wesson. It has no model number and the serial number looks like a re-stamp. It's single stack so I'm thinking Model 39.

 

[jsbethel]

My first thought is that it was stolen at one time and the serial number tampered with.

 

[Sevens]

It could be an aftermarket steel frame which was a thing available back in the day.

 

[Sevens]

Hmmm then again, although the picture isn't very good, almost looks like the S&W logo on the right side in the other picture. Hmmm.

 

[murphydog]

It has the appearance of an alloy frame model 39, but with the obvious non-factory serial number, missing model stamp and mismatched finish to the slide I would be concerned about the authenticity and legality of this one.

 

[s&wchad]

No way I'd own that gun.

I guess it could be an aftermarket frame, but it looks to me like someone removed the finish and used an end mill to obliterate the original serial number.

Photo swiped off the web.

The choice of serial number is interesting too. The S&W 9mm Automatic (pre-model 39) was introduced in 1954 at serial number 1001. I think the "B" prefix was exclusive to the Escort.

 

[stansdds]

The area where the serial number would have been located appears to have been milled and a number re-stamped. I would not want my fingerprints on this pistol.

 

[gwpercle]

Did you ( your friend) buy it from a FFL Dealer or out the trunk of some guy's car on the street at night ?
If FFL Dealer purchase ...keep it .
Gary

 

[squidsix]

This was my thought also. If it entered the bound book of an FFL, and the price was right, who cares? Keep it as a shooter.

 

[kwill1911]

Running the gun through an FFL does not suddenly make it legal. It may be low risk but why take ANY risk of a felony conviction on a piece of junk?

 

[Mainsail]

Just about everyone in here is going to be more knowledgeable than me, but nobody thinks it might have been a test article or prototype?

Send off for the letter. It might tell you a lot about that s/n.

 

[kwill1911]

...test article or prototype.....

0% chance. There are copies of the factory ledger on prototypes around. S&W used X and T prefixes on prototypes. The history of the S&W 9mm Automatic Pistol is well documented. I think it is clear that someone stripped the anodizing, milled out the serial number and stamped a bogus number on the frame. It is even a silly number.

 

[stansdds]

Not a chance of it being a prototype or test pistol.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Just about everyone in here is going to be more knowledgeable than me, but nobody thinks it might have been a test article or prototype?

Send off for the letter. It might tell you a lot about that s/n.

Don't waste your money. That pistol is not legit. If anyone thinks its okay to own because it might have been entered into an FFL dealers bound book, walk into your friendly BATFE office. I'll be right behind you watching the fun!

 

[edubbie]

Ghost Gun?
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq1TXEE_QK4[/ame]

 

[gmborkovic]

I can not understand why anybody that is a gun guy would even stop
and look at a gun that bogus. With todays gun climate, the boys are just looking for a gun like that. And the guy who buys it.

 

[squidsix]

By this rationale, any used gun bought anywhere could be potentially not legit. Think of it like this:
You buy a used pistol. You arent super familiar with handguns, but its a good price at your local gun shop.
You bring it home, shoot it a little, clean it, put it away.
You have no reason to expect the fuzz is coming to lock you up for owning this thing.
According to this thread, you have EVERY reason to expect the fuzz to come take you away.
Why? Because the serial number has been re-stamped? How is that criminality on the part of the new owner?

 

[gmborkovic]

Sir, great logic. Use it in court. Let me know how you do.

 

[edubbie]

Ask the guy on here that posted about his legit laser etched serial numbered gun that he polished and polished some or all of the serial number off. Not sure he did anything but try to make his gum bling.

 

[squidsix]

Again, how would it get to court? The buyer has not committed a crime. He has bought, from a dealer, with a background check, a used firearm. Several forum members have told their tales of being called by their local police or their FFL holder saying "hey that gun I sold you was discovered to have been stolen. Please bring it to the police station…"
None of those people went to court or to jail for this. They delivered the firearm as required, and maybe even got their money back from the dealer or if not, were out a few hundred bucks.