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model 39 smith

jsclarkeyjsclarkey Member Posts: 41 ✭✭
edited April 2002 in Ask the Experts
does anyone know the value of my model 39 smith in 9mm. the blue book has several variations but mine is the model 39 ser# is 35280 and in 90% condition with windage adjustable sights. also would like to know how to tell if it has an all steel frame or an alloy one, jsclarkey
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Comments

  • JudgeColtJudgeColt Member Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A M39 in the serial range mentioned with only 90% finish is hardly more than a shooter. I assume a M39 in this range has the long extractor, and you may find some who will pay more for one of these earlier guns. A magnet will tell you whether the frame is steel or alloy.
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  • azgunnut2@yahoo.comazgunnut2@yahoo.com Member Posts: 305 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey , These are decent shooters , I was issued oneby ISP years ago , then shot compitition with mine and done well , take a magnet to the frame...the standard "39" was a alloystuff and a magnet will not stick at all and they almost wear shiney on the edges of theframe....small variations (long ext.-diff.safety lever-rear sites -spl.markings ect.)"poor" collector values unless "mint" or as new in box !!!! if you wish to sell , let meknow, will see what we can do...good luck...azgunnut2@yahoo.com.......................
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey, is the model 39 S&W's the single stack 9mm that all of their new guns are pratically based on?
    Visit me http://www.geocities.com/gunsmithlee
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If its blued and the lower and upper match colors then its probably not an alloy frame.
    Visit me http://www.geocities.com/gunsmithlee [This message has been edited by leeblackman (edited 04-03-2002).]
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  • JudgeColtJudgeColt Member Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I disagree with Dr. Pig that there is no collector interest in these pistols unless they have the steel frame. I think there is collector interest in alloy-frame pistols, but in the early pistols, and they have to in excellent condition and usually boxed. I have a boxed pre-M39 and a fairly early boxed M39 with the long extractor and long safety, but I do not have a M39 (not pre-M39) with the early short safety. I have great interest in such a pistol.The M39 design is extremely important from a historical standpoint, as it is the basis for a whole class of pistols, the "Wonder Nines." It is therefore a collectable design in my opinion.
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  • p0838p0838 Member Posts: 248 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Judge Colt; I believe you will spend a lifetime looking for a Moder 39 with the short safety. It doesnt exist unless the factory screwed up and maybe a couple got through the assembly line. The change from pre 39 to 39 was in fact to have the larger safety. Frame also changed as well as left grip.
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  • p0838p0838 Member Posts: 248 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Price ranges for MINT guns Pre 39 $1600 39 $700 39-2 $400 All Steel 39 $1700 with box and all paper
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  • JudgeColtJudgeColt Member Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well, I have spent my lifetime looking for rare guns of all kinds, and the short-safety M39 is one of them. According to Jinks (Page 243), the model number 39 was applied beginning at about serial number 2000, and the long safety began at about serial number 2200. That would indicate about 200 Models 39 with short safeties were made. I have several guns that are one of fewer than 200 so it is not impossible to expect that someday I may find a Model 39 with a factory short safety. My "somedays" grow fewer day by day, so I could use some help from anyone who has an eye for stuff like that when attending shows.
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  • JudgeColtJudgeColt Member Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Dr. Pig, do you mean you have never seen the SHORT safety version? The long safety is the current length, and has been the standard since 1957. Unless you have seen only a pre-M39, or one of the 200 rare M39s with the short safety, you have never seen a short safety version. Very early guns had a safety that had just a nub (maybe a 1/4-inch long - I do not have my pre-M39 at hand as I write and am going from memory) on the safety axle. If you look at the later pistols, you will notice the frame and grips have a crescent-shaped cutout on their left top area to clear the safety lever as it swings down to engage. The short safety was designed so that its lever would not be long enough to reach the frame and grips when engaged. The difficulty in operating such a small safety led to the change to the longer lever.
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  • BarrockyBarrocky Member Posts: 74 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I just measured the safety levers of the Pre-39 and the 39 - short version is 3/4" long total and the long version is 1-1/16" total. As the judge said,the short lever only has about a 1/4" tab for the thumb to activate even though the total lenth is 3/4". I have never seen one of those rare model marked 39's with the short safety but according to the book a few have to exist. I seem to recall that George Wimer had or might still have one.
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