My wife’s father passed away suddenly over the weekend. Now that the funeral plans are in place we’ve started cleaning out his apartment. We opened his safe today and among the items inside was a SW model-39.

It seems well made with an alloy frame with a decocker. It was a Illinois State Police pistol. I’m not sure if there is any collector value but the finish on the frame could use some help. I’m thinking it would be good candidate for ceracote.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: badcopnodonut!!, August 08, 2018 07:40 AM

quote:

Originally posted by badcopnodonut!!:
My wife’s father passed away suddenly over the weekend. Now that the funeral plans are in place we’ve started cleaning out his apartment. We opened his safe today and among the items inside was a SW model-39.

It seems well made with an alloy frame with a decocker. It was a Illinois State Police pistol. I’m not sure if there is any collector value but the finish on the frame could use some help. I’m thinking it would be good candidate for ceracote.

Wow, don’t ruin that thing with Cerakote.

39’s are starting to become collectible, especially the old no dash models.

As an ISP model 39, I believe its got some history as that agency was the first major one to adopt an auto pistol for general issue. I'd love to see a picture of it, but I would leave it as it is.

quote:

Originally posted by badcopnodonut!!:
I’m thinking it would be good candidate for ceracote.

Don't you dare!

As posted above, from what I have read that is the pistol that legitimized the transition from revolvers to semi-autos. Keep it original and enjoy.

quote:

Originally posted by KevH:

quote:

Originally posted by badcopnodonut!!:
I’m thinking it would be good candidate for ceracote.

Don't you dare!

Yeah, his handle fits this situation perfectly. LOL!

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

Originally posted by KevH:

quote:

Originally posted by badcopnodonut!!:
I’m thinking it would be good candidate for ceracote.

Don't you dare!

Yeah, his handle fits this situation perfectly. LOL!

I'd have to agree with the others about collectors value. That said, there are at least a couple of places that would actually re-anodize it. But, neither offer the glossy finish as originally done by S&W. The finish would bug me and I'd be the oddball that would have it refinished.

Too much character and history in that gun. Keep it as is. IMO. I love it’s looks.

Wow. I looked up the history of that model pistol. Pretty impressive.
Yeah, I'd leave it alone if it were me. Too much history, sentimental value there.
But, it is yours, so...

It will stay as is. I'll order a couple extra mags, clean and lube it and give it to my son. Thanks for the education. I love this place.

quote:

I’m thinking it would be good candidate for ceracote.

That would be a serious mistake and you would very quickly come to regret changing that pistol. You would be ruining it. Flat-out ruining it.

I'll put it this way- if you do refinish that pistol, I don't want want to know about it. Very bad mistake, and you would regret it. Wake up. That is a collectible firearm with lots of history.

If you want to paint a pistol, go find something on Gunbroker.

quote:

Originally posted by badcopnodonut!!:
It will stay as is. I'll order a couple extra mags, clean and lube it and give it to my son. Thanks for the education. I love this place.

thank you!!


may want to get a new recoil spring for it if you plan on shooting it a lot,

just cause,

Years of character, you'll regret it later if you change it.

Yeah don’t mar that weapon with refinishing please.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

I’m thinking it would be good candidate for ceracote.

That would be a serious mistake and you would very quickly come to regret changing that pistol. You would be ruining it. Flat-out ruining it.

I'll put it this way- if you do refinish that pistol, I don't want want to know about it. Very bad mistake, and you would regret it. Wake up. That is a collectible firearm with lots of history.

If you want to paint a pistol, go find something on Gunbroker.

Understood. The pistol will remain as is.

I agree don't refinish. I think the finish shows honest wear and gives the gun a nice character.

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:

quote:

Originally posted by badcopnodonut!!:
It will stay as is. I'll order a couple extra mags, clean and lube it and give it to my son. Thanks for the education. I love this place.

thank you!!


may want to get a new recoil spring for it if you plan on shooting it a lot,

just cause,

Yes, very good advice. Thanks again.

For whatever reason, I really like firearms with honest wear. Thanks for sharing that photo, great firearm!!

That looks to be in pretty rough/well used condition. Still, I would not refinish it. From the ILL. S.P. on the frame, I agree, that's one of the old Illinois State Police Model 39s. They are the first agency I'm aware that went to a 9MM semi-auto as a standard issue weapon, back in the 60s I think. Also the first I know of that had Federal? load +P+ ammunition for their 9MM S&Ws. Then I notice it has, what collectors refer to as the "broken extractor". Not really broken of course, but appears that way when compared with other early long wide extractor guns. I Don't really know how common or collectible these are, but some research, and possibly a factory letter might be appropriate....