The only sure way to determine a manufacture date on S&Ws is to pay for a letter from the factory. However, the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson shows shipping date for Model 39 serial numbers between A565001-A655000 as 1978-1979. A decent guess would be early to mid 1979. What is the age of a smith Wesson model 39 serial number 69344? The smith and Wesson model 39 was introduced to the public in 1955.But in 1949 the U.S. Army used it as a service pistol trials.
- Smith And Wesson Serial Number Catalog 2019
- Smith And Wesson Serial Number Catalog 2019
- Smith And Wesson Serial Lookup
BreakyP: The USAF did indeed purchase small numbers of the Model 39 pistol during the 1960s. They are very scarce guns. None that I have observed, including the example I own which letters as having been shipped to Warner Robins AFB in 1969, bear any US or other factory applied military markings. They are completely indistinguishable from the civilian Model 39s produced at the same time. I am operating from memory since I am not in a position to check my source materials right now, but as I recall there were at least 100 or so Model 39-2s which shipped to the US Navy.
Your left hand holster is indeed USGI but was designed for service with the Beretta M9 pistol, not the S&W Model 39. If you will post here or email me the complete serial number on your pistol I may be able to give you more information.
Smith and Wesson Serial Number Date of Manufacture J Frame Revolver Lookup. For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50 and pre model number versions. 1950 = start at 1. Aug 20, 2021 Smith And Wesson 686 Serial Number Lookup. The 686 no dash you reference, by the advanced serial # (AJV) would indicate manufacture in '85/'86, about the time the -1's were coming out. A Smith & Wesson Model 686, with a 100 mm (4 in) barrel. The Smith & Wesson Model 686 is a six- or seven-shot double-actionrevolver manufactured by Smith.
Without a complete serial it is all just guesswork. You can reach me at and remove the NOSPAM. Regards, Charlie Flick S&WCA #729 Colt Collectors Assoc. NRA Life Member. Breakyp: Thanks for providing the complete serial. I have some further checking to do but for now I can report that your pistol was shipped from the S&W factory no earlier than 1971, when the first Model 39-2s went into production.
In checking with some other long time S&W collectors none have, so far, reported observing a US marked 39-2 before. Of course, that may mean nothing if your pistol was part of a small order of US marked guns that has gone undetected to collectors for the past 40 years.
On the other hand, one would think that such a gun would have likely come to the attention of S&W martial pistol collectors before now if it was indeed a legit US gun. As I said, I have some further checking to do and hope to have more for you in a few days. I hope this information is helpful to you. Regards, Charlie Flick S&WCA #729 Colt Collectors Assoc. I've got a couple of questions about this pistol that I hope are still on topic(don't want to hi-jack the thread). On the Marcas Registradas, which I know is Spanish for brand registered(literal translation) or what we would more probably call registered trademark, why would a US made gun, made for the US military have Spanish writing on it?
I'm just curious about it as it caught my eye. BTW OP, nice looking pistol.
Another question is about when these would have been issued and to who. My dad was an AF pilot who was killed in the VN war in '65. Is this pistol one that he would have been issued or would he have had something else? Breakyp: Thanks for providing the complete serial. I have some further checking to do but for now I can report that your pistol was shipped from the S&W factory no earlier than 1971, when the first Model 39-2s went into production. In checking with some other long time S&W collectors none have, so far, reported observing a US marked 39-2 before. Of course, that may mean nothing if your pistol was part of a small order of US marked guns that has gone undetected to collectors for the past 40 years.
On the other hand, one would think that such a gun would have likely come to the attention of S&W martial pistol collectors before now if it was indeed a legit US gun. As I said, I have some further checking to do and hope to have more for you in a few days. I hope this information is helpful to you. Regards, Charlie Flick S&WCA #729 Colt Collectors Assoc.
NRA Life Thank you for the comments. I took the chance as I know the dealer and he doesn't play games.
Price was reasonable enough that I didn't pay for a stamp job. I know about hush puppies and I do remember AF in late 60's buying same. It was in an early issue of Gun World if memory serves. I've got a couple of questions about this pistol that I hope are still on topic(don't want to hi-jack the thread). On the Marcas Registradas, which I know is Spanish for brand registered(literal translation) or what we would more probably call registered trademark, why would a US made gun, made for the US military have Spanish writing on it?My dad was an AF pilot who was killed in the VN war in '65. Is this pistol one that he would have been issued or would he have had something else?Great: Your question is one that comes up frequently. A fellow member of the SWCA, DC Wilson, recently answered that question for another inquirer and had the following concise answer which I can't improve upon: 'Marca Registrada' is the term for 'Trademark' in both Spanish and Portuguese, though the spelling 'registada' is also seen in Portuguese-speaking countries.
S&W had experienced problems with Spanish knock-offs of their revolvers in the early 1900s; they had also fulfilled two huge contracts to provide weapons to Brazil, a Portuguese-speaking nation, in 1937 and 1946. Factory Historian Roy Jinks has reported that the company found it necessary following an infringement lawsuit in the 1920s to mark their exports to Spain with a Spanish-language trademark to protect their legal rights there. Before WWII, some exported guns were so marked. Shortly after WWII, with the recent 1946 Brazilian contract still visible in the rear view mirror and with the possibility of new international trade opening up in Spanish-speaking countries, S&W president Carl Hellstrom decided to simplify export labeling by just putting the phrase on all company products. It was easier to mark all guns than to keep track of the ones going to specific countries and labeling only those. The order to make the change to the four line address block containing the phrase ' marcas registradas' was issued in April of 1948. As to what handgun USAF pilots carried in SEA, there were many choices and many stories of individual pilots choosing their own weapons.
However, most often the weapon was the 4 inch S&W Model 15 Combat Masterpiece in.38 Special. Less frequently seen was the 2 inch S&W Model 56.38 Special revolver. Most of the alloy Aircrewman.38 Special Revolvers (both Colt and S&W) had been withdrawn and destroyed by the time the war really cranked up. Again, many USAF airmen carried weapons of their own choosing (M1911A1 pistols, the Victory, etc.) so there is no absolute answer. If I had to pick the most likely handgun that a USAF pilot carried in SEA I would select the Model 15. Hope that helps you.
Regards, Charlie Flick. I cannot remember where, or how long ago for that matter, I saw this, however. Some of the 39's for the USN (?) had a small sheet metal dust cover for the ejection port. It was very simple, sort of a stamped 'U' shape with two holes near the bottom, the slide stop held it into place. To install the cover, one removed the slide stop. Placed the cover over the slide, and reinstall the slide stop thru the hole on the left side, thru the pistol, and thru the hole on the right side of the cover. The slide moves to the rear, the cover was held stationary by the slide stop.
In regards to the quality of the S&W Model 39, it was the favorite pistol as I recall of Major George Nonte who was a well known gun writer in the late 1960s early 1970s but who unfortunately died fairly young. I had a fair amount of respect for most of Nonte's writings and opinions. I thought Hush Puppies were typically the high capacity Model 59 variants but admit I am not sure. The Model 59 was probably the first 'wonder nine' of all but was largely damned due to its ergonomics or lack thereof. S&W commercialized the Model 59 after military didn't buy it was my understanding.
I had heard some complaints that the Model 39 wasn't so hot on handling hollow points of the day if I remeber correctly, but was widely praised for its ergonomic grip. It was adopted by the Illinois State Police and if I remember correctly, you may see some in 'Blues Brothers' comedy movie. Hello again, BreakyP: I now have the information I was seeking for you. Your M39-2 was shipped from the factory in January, 1971. However, it was not shipped to a US Government or US military destination.
Instead, it was shipped to a commercial distributor. Thus, unless some evidence can be found that in the 1971 time frame the US military or other Government agency bought M39-2s from a commercial distributor rather than the factory and then had US markings applied (a dubious proposition), I would have to conclude that this pistol is not USGI. I am sorry that I don't have better news for you. I was hoping to find that this was the first legitimate, USGI US-marked M39-2 known to collectors. Regards, Charlie Flick. Greatguns, I think your Dad went to his reward before the 39. I was issued one of the Aluminum frame models to carry as survival weapon in late 66 by USN.
It was one of the first we got and did not last long. Don't remember what markings were on it from factory but it was great to shoot (until the frame stress cracked). My Ham Hands did not like the 38 spc so I borrowed a 1911 from my dad to carry. Most of the guys just carried 38's (navy carrier fighters and attack).
Smith And Wesson Serial Number Catalog 2019
Hope that info may be of some help. BTW - 1 put 6 or 700 rounds throught he S&W before it got wacky cause of the cracky. Scopes of all trades! It may have belonged to one of the various federal agencies. Just because it did not go to the military does not mean it didn't end up someplace interesting at some time. I'm not sure why someone would stamp a fake 'U.S.'
S W 39 2 Serial Numbers
Stamp on a gun never issued to the military in hopes of making a fortune. Before I'd discount the gun completely more research would be in order.
Smith And Wesson Serial Number Catalog 2019
Shipping info is not the end all of information on a gun. It could have been a gun intended to go to the govt originally and then sold off as overstock.
Smith And Wesson Model 39 Serial Numbers
There are more than a few reasons it could be marked correctly.
S&w 39 Serial Number Dates
Hi all New to the forum and new to serious shooting and recently earn hunting license. I just purchased a Model 39 (Understand it is 39-2) and see some of you have ability to date these.
Have not even received the gun since California 10 wait. The serial on my paperwork states 61524. No prefix or letters. Was gun of families deceased father and gunsmith at shop says looks as if maybe only fired few times or just the factory firing. Could someone let me know approx.
Smith And Wesson Serial Lookup
Year on this. Very excited to shoot after reading all the positive things said on here. Thanks New to forums also.