This morning is went to visit a couple local shops that I haven't been to in a couple weeks. I wasn't looking to pick up anything.
The second shop I stopped in generally has the best deals on used handguns around, but they rarely have anything that truly interests me. Today was different. Sitting there in the used case was a blued Smith & Wesson 39. What first struck me was the like new condition of the metal, grips, and finish in general. The next thing I realized was the huge extractor and the small hole in the hammer, which meant it was an early model (It was sitting right side up, so I couldn't see the model # or serial #). After that, I looked at the price and just couldn't believe it. Here was a no dash M39 in like new condition for $339.
Needless to say, I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough. Apparently, it just came in the night before and was priced and put in the case by one of the evening employees. Whoever priced it cost the shop at least $150. I see no dash M39s routinely going for over $500 on GB even without the box.
At any rate, I just bought my first 39 over the summer, which was a still NIB -2 nickel model. As much as I love it, it did not fill my desire for a classic blued 39 and finding an early no dash model in this condition is icing on the cake. The price I paid makes it truly remarkable. After tax and everything, it cost me $365 out the door! This certainly helps me feel better about dropping almost $4K on two Browning Hi-Powers in August.
Anyway, enough rambling. Please enjoy the pics. I'll take some better pics when I have better lighting. These will have to do for now.
No, its not the steel framed model. :embarassed: They sell for a $2-$3,000.
By the way, could any of you S&W gurus tell me what year it was produced based on the serial number that I never try to hide? I'm thinking it was closer to the end of the run of the no dash models, maybe early to mid 1960's?
Thanks for any help and, as always, please let me know what you think. This pistol is in awesome shape.
The second shop I stopped in generally has the best deals on used handguns around, but they rarely have anything that truly interests me. Today was different. Sitting there in the used case was a blued Smith & Wesson 39. What first struck me was the like new condition of the metal, grips, and finish in general. The next thing I realized was the huge extractor and the small hole in the hammer, which meant it was an early model (It was sitting right side up, so I couldn't see the model # or serial #). After that, I looked at the price and just couldn't believe it. Here was a no dash M39 in like new condition for $339.
Needless to say, I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough. Apparently, it just came in the night before and was priced and put in the case by one of the evening employees. Whoever priced it cost the shop at least $150. I see no dash M39s routinely going for over $500 on GB even without the box.
At any rate, I just bought my first 39 over the summer, which was a still NIB -2 nickel model. As much as I love it, it did not fill my desire for a classic blued 39 and finding an early no dash model in this condition is icing on the cake. The price I paid makes it truly remarkable. After tax and everything, it cost me $365 out the door! This certainly helps me feel better about dropping almost $4K on two Browning Hi-Powers in August.
Anyway, enough rambling. Please enjoy the pics. I'll take some better pics when I have better lighting. These will have to do for now.
No, its not the steel framed model. :embarassed: They sell for a $2-$3,000.
By the way, could any of you S&W gurus tell me what year it was produced based on the serial number that I never try to hide? I'm thinking it was closer to the end of the run of the no dash models, maybe early to mid 1960's?
Thanks for any help and, as always, please let me know what you think. This pistol is in awesome shape.