A Rare Gun For Christmas

Spotted this one from the shop which have the pre-owned Hobby Fix M4 up for sale before Christmas and I grabbed this almost without hesitation (as I'm not going to get the scratched M4)...




An almost brand new MGC M59 - saying it is rare because I can't find much details about this (and can't find it on auctions as well).



The first time I got so addicted to a semi-auto by Smith & Wesson...I think the previous owner replaced the original plastic grips with this perfect wood grips with real S&W logo...



Some hitch: Model 39 stamped on the frame & Model 59 stamped on the slide...



Comparing mine with the more commonly seen MGC M39 - supposed the black one's M39 & the silver one's M59 but this one's messed up...and on the right there's a MGC logo resembling S&W's...



...which mine's completely clear...



Another difference: the clip of mine...



...and the clip for other MGC S&W...




And finally the rounds - seems to have used but maybe with another gun...

More info regarding this beauty is appreciated ...

Awesome Jim!

Lucky find!''

Kiwigunner

That is a nice find Jim, and a really nice looking modelgun too.

Thank you for sharing your photos

Wow, my first impression was that you have somehow posted pictures from a review that I'm working on ;-)
I hope this post helps and doesn't ruin "rare" feeling by accident

Original S&W M39 is single stack, and this feature obviously follows the frame, not the slide. Slides look the same on M39 and M59 as far as I know. I was puzzled by difference in markings, but I thought that this is due to mating silver M39 frame with black M59 slide. Your model is all silver though, but seems to be a combination too. Your clip (and mine) are single-stack for M39. The other one you show is double-stack, so M59.

My box and manual are all marked for M39.

According to the famous reference page, M39 was released as both all black and all silver. M59 was probably available as both, and also released in "Silver Frame" variant (so there are these marked correctly on frame). Maybe using a silver M39 frame (easier to get?) was a method of achieving "Silver Frame" look without buying that edition?
http://homepage3.nifty.com/nkoinuma2/SWAuto.htm

Originally this model used open cartridges, later CP-HW. I've seen one that was modified to work also with Tanio Koba GM7 cartridges, by use of exchangeable detonator pins.

My frame is marked with MGC logo on the right, where you have clear space.

Wooden grips were an aftermarket accessory, probably not too easy to find. Even if they have S&W logo, this is most likely a modelgun version - MGC used original markings for domestic market Getting model with these installed is a nice bonus

Great find Jim ;ooks in great condition, i have a few of these 59 and 39 open rounds and cp one thing when firing my 459 though is it blows the safety off after about 10 rounds an there is a small ball bearing and spring in there. Isnt this the gun starsky.

Yours look real nice as well Smootik - and what a co-incidence ！

I think both of us somehow got the "Deluxe" version...

Extra pics...

Curious... I've owned a chrome-plated Replica of this S&W auto for around 40 years. The grips are emblazoned with "RM" escutcheons, the slide is "engraved" (for which read "cast in to the die-cast zinc alloy") with the words "MGC Combat Auto", then "Model: SW/44, CALIBER 9MM, BY MGC CORP, TOKYO JAPAN." The (grooved) trigger set up is all wrong - almost looks more like a Colt M1911 than a Smith. And there's a screwed-in barrel bushing (not found on the real pistol!) The barrel, trigger, safety, hammer and slide-latchare blued, everything else is chromed. Single stack magazine (also blued). It's a comfortably heavyweight piece.