Update:
There were only 927 steel frame model 39's manufactuered during the mid
1950's; but not assembled or sold until 1966. Alloy frames were actually
made after the steel frame; but alloy frames were sold first and their
numbering started at 1001. There were reports by some armorers from
military units that there were some modified versions sold to the military
without serial numbers, or military markings.
The Hush Puppy: A special production run of 14-shot, alloy frame-steel
slide model 39's with silencers or supressors used in Southeast Asia
in the late 1960's. It included a slide lock in order to fire the weapon in
a single shot mode to silence enemy guard dogs, without the sound of
the slide returning to battery. It was called the Mark 22 Model 0 by the
U.S. Navy; and reportedly the double column model 59 was developed
from this program. The Hush Puppy in its original configuration is highly
sought after by S&W collectors; but is a VERY RARE find, comanding a
large premium price.
FootNote: Source- Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson 3rd
edition by Supica & Nahas.
