This is a Smith & Wesson Model 39 9mm semi-automatic pistol. This is a "first generation" S&W autoloader featuring all-steel construction and an 8-round capacity single-stack magazine (for reference, the double stack version is the Model 59).
First generation refers to models produced from 1955 to 1980, and all first gen models have a two-digit numbering system. The second generation of Smith & Wesson autoloaders only ran for one decade, from 1980 to 1990, and added a digit for the number (i.e. model 908). The third, and current, generation has a four-digit model numbering system, with the first two digits indicating caliber and frame type, the third digit stands for the action and frame size, and the fourth digit coding the composition of the frame material.
Thus endeth the brief primer on Smith & Wesson autoloading pistols.
That is all.
5 comments:
Saw one of those all-steel First Editions at the nearby Gunporium and sadly had to pass on it, need the money for other things.
Awesome pistol. A friend back in high school days, too long ago to think about, had one we shot alot. Very reliable and accurate. Yours would look great sitting between my 2 model 59's. Thanks for the pic
Hemlock
Wow! That's one pretty auto right there, sir.
Forgive me, but that thing kinda looks like a Browning Hi-Power. Any chance that Smith took a shot at the BHP there, or is it just my uneducated eye?
At any rate, nice pistol!
tweaker
dirtcrashr,
I'm still kicking myself for not picking up a second 39 when the local store had one for $250...
Hemlock,
Yeah, the 59 is quite nice, too - the double-stack capacity sets it apart from the 1911 and was S&W's first foray into "high capacity" magazines...
tweaker,
I'm certain that the Hi-Power played a not-inconsequential role in the styling of the 39, and especially the aforementioned 59 (especially since the 59 has a capacity of 15 rounds to the Hi-Power's 13...)
It's interesting, though - at the time (1950s) there was no hue and cry about "large capacity" magazines and such...
Almost like... there was less PSH re: guns at the time...
Very cool, Jay!
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