The 1980s term "Wondernine" is supposed to refer to a double column "high capacity" 9mm pistol that doesn't require manipulation of safety or hammer to fire the first shot. That combination of features is why neither the Hi Power (hi cap) nor the P-38 count. The Wikipedia article mentions the MAB PA-15, but while that is an interesting pistol and has the first 15 round mag, it is really not different than a single action BHP.
The earliest production Wondernine I can find is the HK VP70, which is DAO and hi cap from 1970. The 1971 S&W 59 is the first really commercially successful Wondernine, while the Beretta 92 and CZ75 showing up in 1975. SIG didn't actually make a Wondernine available until 1983 with the P226, ever though the P220 is from 1975. Steyr GB was 1981 and Glock 1982. I can't find a date for the Star M28, and there may have been military trial versions of the Walther P88 and FN HP-DA as early as 1979 according to some sources, but that may be wrong.
Can anyone think of another gun that is earlier than these, or at least as early as 1980? Or an early non-9mm that otherwise qualifies? It is kind of amazing how few guns met the description until the mid-80s.
The earliest production Wondernine I can find is the HK VP70, which is DAO and hi cap from 1970. The 1971 S&W 59 is the first really commercially successful Wondernine, while the Beretta 92 and CZ75 showing up in 1975. SIG didn't actually make a Wondernine available until 1983 with the P226, ever though the P220 is from 1975. Steyr GB was 1981 and Glock 1982. I can't find a date for the Star M28, and there may have been military trial versions of the Walther P88 and FN HP-DA as early as 1979 according to some sources, but that may be wrong.
Can anyone think of another gun that is earlier than these, or at least as early as 1980? Or an early non-9mm that otherwise qualifies? It is kind of amazing how few guns met the description until the mid-80s.