[bac1023]

In discussions in my thread yesterday about my new S&W 39, the rare steel version was mentioned several times. I added that one of the 39's descendants, the seldom seen 539, was basically a steel 39. All the while I knew that my favorite local shop had one in the case for a few days.

Well, all that talk made me want to grab it. I do about 75% of my over the counter purchases and ALL of my Gunbroker transfers at this shop. Because of that, they usually give me a huge discount on used guns when they buy them cheap and their margins are high.

This 539 is in the same beautiful condition as the the 39 I bought yesterday. They gave me $100 off the $519 price tag it had on it, so I got it out the door at $450. Its not the amazing deal I got yeaterday, but still a great deal in every way. The 539 is not common and Gunbroker prices are usually over $600 for models in great shape. That's when they're on there. Many times, I don't see a single 539 listed.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=308583309

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=308749725


At any rate, the 539 has the guard on the rear sight and a steel frame, but otherwise its basically the same gun as the 39. I'm not sure the exact number S&W made, but it was between 5 and 10,000. That's rare compared to many other Smiths. They were only built from 1982-1985.

Can anyone tell me which of those years mine was produced based on the serial #?

Anyway, please enjoy the pics. As always, I appreciate your thoughts on my latest addition. I've bought quite a few S&W handguns this year.

Thanks!

[bac1023]

[glock2740]

Damn Brian! You're on a roll brother!

[oldnoob]

All the S&W semi owners. Bac is coming! HIDE YOUR GUNS!

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by oldnoob

All the S&W semi owners. Bac is coming! HIDE YOUR GUNS!

No, this is it.

At least for a while.

[Rick C]

Nice.

1982 A745001 – A806399

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by Rick C

Nice.

1982 A745001 – A806399

Thanks Rick.

Its one of the earlier models, I guess.

That was a lot easier than trying to date my 39.

[m2hmghb]

Very nice shooter. Do you have a 3 inch model 19 revolver by any chance? Or a 2.5 inch? Those are my favorite Smith's of all time.


The A serial numbers are when they started keeping good records in the 70s, when the feds started to get off their asses because of the 68 GCA.

[countrygun]

Nicely done. The whole "39" series is a field, specialty if you will, that has been overlooked. There are several "variants" and enough model changes to make it, I think, almost more interesting than collection the "dash" numbers of some Smith revolvers.

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by m2hmghb

Very nice shooter. Do you have a 3 inch model 19 revolver by any chance? Or a 2.5 inch? Those are my favorite Smith's of all time.

No, just a 6" 19.

They are great revolvers though.

[Bruce M]

Very nice find! I have seen more steel frame 39's (two) than I have seen 539s.

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by Bruce M

Very nice find! I have seen more steel frame 39's (two) than I have seen 539s.

Thanks Bruce.

Yeah, the 539s are not very common. This is the first one I've seen in years, actually.

[CajunBass]

Man, that is nice Bac. I passed on one a few years ago, and kicked myself for that.

I do have a really nice 59-2 on layaway.

[rv4driver]

WOW! Nice catch! Immaculate by the looks of the pics. And a steal, to boot!

J

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by rv4driver

WOW! Nice catch! Immaculate by the looks of the pics. And a steal, to boot!

J

Thanks. I thought it was a great deal too.

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by CajunBass

Man, that is nice Bac. I passed on one a few years ago, and kicked myself for that.

Thanks, my friend.

I've passed on a couple guns I really regret as well.

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by CajunBass

I do have a really nice 59-2 on layaway.

I have a nice nickel 59. I honestly didn't know Smith made a -2 model in the 59 model line.

I learn something new every day.

Here's mine.

[CajunBass]

You know...now that I look at the paperwork from the shop, it doesn't say it's a -2. I had just assumed it was based on most of the 39's I see being -2. I'll have to check the next time I'm in there and see.

That one's on the back burner for right now anyway. I've got a line on a nother 24-3, 44 Special. The semi can wait.

[38 Super Fan]

I bet those guys at that gun shop love you.

[countrygun]

Originally Posted by CajunBass

You know...now that I look at the paperwork from the shop, it doesn't say it's a -2. I had just assumed it was based on most of the 39's I see being -2. I'll have to check the next time I'm in there and see.

That one's on the back burner for right now anyway. I've got a line on a nother 24-3, 44 Special. The semi can wait.

IIRC the -1 or fist change was a change to the feed ramp on the 59, -2 was the change in the factory sights. Somewhere in there ther wa also an extractor change IIRC.

Some of the first 59s had some feeding problems that were corrected by a change in the feed ramp

[CanMan]

That one be nice! Darn good photography too.

[janice6]

You make me want to believe in the tooth fairy and wishes.......

Nice gun!

[ArmoryDoc]

Those are "real guns". I love seeing the classic Smith's. Takes me back about 30 years.

[pennlineman]

Another very nice addition to your collection. Of my older S&W semiautomatics the 1066 and 559 are my favorites. The 559 is in wonderful condition.



It's also a pretty good shooter to.



I did not add any new S&W semiautomatics to my collection this year. Got side tracked with N frames and older K frames, a couple off nice rifles too. I'll make a point of getting at least one next year, hopefully a 4506. We'll see. For the time being I've got a Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull in the works. They're getting hard to find so I jumped on it.

Anyways, congrats on both of them!

[12131]

I officially declare bac a gunaholic, in an exclusive club with membership of one! No one can touch you. Congrats, brother.