S&W No-dash 39

[Winchester-42]

Hello all. I've gotten some very good information from knowledgeable people on this board regarding what is considered a C&R S&W model 39, and I thank you all. We've established that all no-dash 39's were built between 1954-1970. The problems I'm running into are certain sellers and my FFL are not as knowledgeable. I have sent a pdf of the C&R list showing the 39 no-dash on the list, and still are hesitant to sell or register.

1. How many people have run into this problem?
2. Is it possible to convince the seller that the S&W 39 is a C&R?
3. Does anyone know of an FFL in the Orange County area that is knowledgeable and would register a 50+-year-old S&W 39?

Call me frustrated! Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Quiet]

Moved, not a legal inquiry.

Questions about people's experience with C&R firearms and how to obtain them are better suited in the Curio & Relic/Black Powder subforum.

[Winchester-42]

Thank you

[Russian Bot]

Hello all. I've gotten some very good information from knowledgeable people on this board regarding what is considered a C&R S&W model 39, and I thank you all. We've established that all no-dash 39's were built between 1954-1970. The problems I'm running into are certain sellers and my FFL are not as knowledgeable. I have sent a pdf of the C&R list showing the 39 no-dash on the list, and still are hesitant to sell or register.

1. How many people have run into this problem?
2. Is it possible to convince the seller that the S&W 39 is a C&R?
3. Does anyone know of an FFL in the Orange County area that is knowledgeable and would register a 50+-year-old S&W 39?

Call me frustrated! Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Is the seller out of state?
What is your goal with convincing them of C&R?
My understanding is that C&R handguns still have to go through FFL01 In California, best you could hope for is a dealer transfer ($$) and avoiding the 10 day wait.

[Winchester-42]

Yes, the seller is out of state.
They won't sell the gun if they think it's not a C&R.
Yes, it would have to go through a CA FFL.

[Mr. Beretta]

Simple.

Have the seller call S&W Customer Service. 1 800 331 0852. Remember they're on EST.

Provide the SN.

They will verbally confirm the year and sometimes the month, the gun was shipped from the factory.

Then have your local FFL do the same thing.

If that doesn't satisfy all parties, then walk away. Find another model 39 seller and local FFL.

Good luck.

[Winchester-42]

I called S&W CS and the best they could do was tell me that a no-dash 39 was manufactured between 1954-1970. Which would qualify as a C&R.

I have been in contact with a "respectable" auction firearm dealer who has some for sale but can't (or won't) verify the dates of 39's that are clearly older than 50 years. They are listing them as "Modern", which they are not. I ran into this problem with another dealer.

I know, it should be simple but S&W model 39's are not that easy to find.

Thank you for the advice.

[dfletcher]

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson should have the information needed. It will list years of manufacture under the Model 39 section and in the back of the book DOM by serial number.

So far as "convincing" someone - I don't bother. You can't tell someone something they don't want to know. Give them the info and sit back. Sometimes folks convince themselves they thought of it on their own.

[Winchester-42]

I just learned that all the supporting documents I sent did convince them that they were indeed C&R. Looks like I'm home free.

[bigbossman]

Honest question.... If you live in CA, everything has to be shipped to an 01 FFL. Is it a roster thing - C&R's being exempt, otherwise no?

[Capybara]

Honest question.... If you live in CA, everything has to be shipped to an 01 FFL. Is it a roster thing - C&R's being exempt, otherwise no?

In state:
In California, an FFL03 + COE holder can acquire any C&R qualified long gun, either shipped to them or face to face, from any private seller as long as that seller resides in California.

All C&R handguns acquired in state must go through an FFL01, although FFL03 + COE holder is exempt from the 10 day waiting period, IF the FFL01 knows the right buttons to push in the DROS system. I'm lucky, all of my dealers do, but always call ahead first to make sure.

Out of State:
FFL03 + COE holder can acquire any C&R qualified gun, long gun or handgun out of state, face to face with anyone, but of course, must be logged in FFL03 holder's bound book, registered on CFARs, etc.

All shipped C&R firearms from out of state must go through an FFL01, long guns AND handguns.

Kind of dumb, a Californian can ship me a K98 Mauser, but if Dennis from Empire ships me the exact same gun from Florida, gotta pay a visit and pay a hefty transfer charge and DROS to my FFL01. Totally arbitrary, stupid rule considering more than half of my long gun collection I had shipped directly to my door in 2014-2016. But that's how California is, if you want to be law abiding gun owner, you will be punished and humiliated, even after you've gone through the hassle and time of acquiring an FFL03 from the Feds and the COE from the State and you are cleared and pre-vetted as a law abiding citizen.

[DanGunner]

I had that problem with C&R S&W .32 being shipped by out-of-state seller a few years ago. I copied page out of S&WE Catalog, the bible, showing years of production and that did the trick.

[CalifEd]

Contact OC Guns in Lake Forest.
The can receive it from an individual, they need photo ID with address and do the paperwork.
If you have an FFL/03 and COE it will be immediate release, if no FFL/COE 10 day jail time.

[bwiese]

As a genneral caution, do remember that C&R status (i.e, > 50yrs old)
applies to THAT ACTUAL GUN UNDER CONSIDERATION, esp if the production
run(s) of that gun did cross the 50 yr mark.

In this particular case, the production of 39s stopped at 1970, which means
all 39s are guaranteed to be over 50 yrs old and thus C&R.

But for a gun model in a production run which spans the '50 year mark',
you'd better determine the exact production date OF THAT PARTICULAR
GUN using its serial number.

Remember 50yr old doesn't need to be considered if the gun is listed in
the 'Brown book' ATF list of specific C&R models.