You ask for suggestions but you aren't helping us much?
What comes to mind for me without knowing more about what you seek:
--post pictures for us and give us a serial number or at least a partial serial number
--if it is not in great condition (as you eluded with very little info), then it's value is certainly smacked hard... however, if it is absolutely a steel frame Model 39 then it's value starts higher than most S&W pistols so there is absolutely some value left, almost no matter how poorly it has been cared for
--they only made a small number of steel frame Model 39's before they went to the alloy frame
--they also changed the extractor design when they went to the 39-2, which makes both the top half of an original 39 and the lower half sought after, simply for parts
--there are not a lot of really very good arguments for shooting these particular pistols simply due to their age, scarcity and value (and parts value) HOWEVER, one in somewhat worn or beat-up or poorly cared-for condition again has value for the folks who have better ones and YET wish to have one they can actually shoot
Your next post may very well ask 'oh yeah, how much?!' and that will be VERY difficult to answer without pictures... and even then, not quite so cut and dried.
For most intents and purpose (not all), it will not be the best choice for you to load & fire this pistol without knowing more and having a better idea of what you wish to do with it.
And, just to add:
If you find the pistol extremely interesting and you would love to have one that is similar to shoot and enjoy without worrying about value, parts breakage, etc etc, the Model 39-2 that replaced the Model 39 was produced in great volume and is a fantastic pistol that damn near everyone loves. And when they make a very good pistol AND everyone loves it enough so they produce a lot of them, finding used ones is a fun game because the sheer volume of them available keeps the price from getting too obnoxious. Usually. Less today in 2015 than 3 or 5 or 10 years ago.
What comes to mind for me without knowing more about what you seek:
--post pictures for us and give us a serial number or at least a partial serial number
--if it is not in great condition (as you eluded with very little info), then it's value is certainly smacked hard... however, if it is absolutely a steel frame Model 39 then it's value starts higher than most S&W pistols so there is absolutely some value left, almost no matter how poorly it has been cared for
--they only made a small number of steel frame Model 39's before they went to the alloy frame
--they also changed the extractor design when they went to the 39-2, which makes both the top half of an original 39 and the lower half sought after, simply for parts
--there are not a lot of really very good arguments for shooting these particular pistols simply due to their age, scarcity and value (and parts value) HOWEVER, one in somewhat worn or beat-up or poorly cared-for condition again has value for the folks who have better ones and YET wish to have one they can actually shoot
Your next post may very well ask 'oh yeah, how much?!' and that will be VERY difficult to answer without pictures... and even then, not quite so cut and dried.
For most intents and purpose (not all), it will not be the best choice for you to load & fire this pistol without knowing more and having a better idea of what you wish to do with it.
And, just to add:
If you find the pistol extremely interesting and you would love to have one that is similar to shoot and enjoy without worrying about value, parts breakage, etc etc, the Model 39-2 that replaced the Model 39 was produced in great volume and is a fantastic pistol that damn near everyone loves. And when they make a very good pistol AND everyone loves it enough so they produce a lot of them, finding used ones is a fun game because the sheer volume of them available keeps the price from getting too obnoxious. Usually. Less today in 2015 than 3 or 5 or 10 years ago.
9mm S&w Model 39 2 For Sale
Smith And Wesson Model 39 Steel Frame Serial Numbers
- The Model 39 was produced in limited numbers with a steel frame. This steel-frame model provided the basis for the Model 52 target pistol. The Model 52 had a longer (5 inch) barrel and slide and was one of the few semi-automatic pistols ever chambered for the.38 Special cartridge (with flush-seated, full wadcutter bullets only).
- Smith & Wesson became a subsidiary of Bangor-Punta from 1965–1983. Between 1983–1987, Smith & Wesson was owned by the Lear Siegler Co. On May 22, 1987, it was sold to R.L.Tomkins, a British holding company. By Model.44 Frame Model Number Three. Model 39 Steel Frame.
Smith And Wesson Age By Serial Number
Model 39-2 steel frame: larrydw: Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols: 9: 06:17 PM: FOUND: Seeking 1964 N Frame: Shark Bait: WANTED to Buy: 2: 08:42 AM: Help on a possible Model 39 steel frame: youngk5: Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols: 9: 11:25 PM: How do I know if I have a steel frame model 59: tommy: Smith. Shipped in 1956 and a early model 39 shipped in Jan 1959. There were only 972 steel frame model 39s ever sold in the mid 1960s. The frames were actually made as pre production frames but stored until the 1960s. Your serial number is from 1963-1965 likely. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.
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