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SMITH & WESSON / DEVEL MODEL 59 FULL HOUSE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
SMITH & WESSON / DEVEL MODEL 59 FULL HOUSE

CUSTOM SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. Cal. 9mm Luger. S# A351893.084. Bbl. 3 1/2" w/ slight flare (about .007") at muzzle having square cut recessed crown. Mfg. 1976 or 1977 by S&W, then later modified by Charles Kelsey of DeVel having satin nickel finish. DeVel added to the S&W serial number with a dot plus their sequential number; this is their 84th. This was the forerunner of today's compact semi-auto pistols; at the time, most concealable handguns were revolvers. DeVels were coveted customs of the late 1970's; well known pistolero & author Rex Applegate used one. Very costly when produced having a mass of custom features; many of which are common on customs of today. Slide and grip frame are shortened (mags too) plus trigger guard relieved on right (designed for RH use) as well as having pronounced hook added. Very thin dark brown (wood appearance) Micarta grips (retained by small screws not in original locations) with Lexan windows on each side allowing one to view remaining cartridges in mag. that were modified to add viewing slots on their sides; red enameled DeVel emblem on each window. Hard chromed hammer is bobbed and rear spur of frame reduced. For reliability, DeVel used Wolfe springs throughout. Integral feed ramp of barrel is polished, ejection port lowered and pistol functioning tuned for reliability. Slide has long flutes, trough in front sight to add paint or fluorescence and fully adjustable rear sight appearing made by MMC. Even with modern technology, it would be difficult to find a compact carry gun with the features of this DeVel converted S&W. MAGS: 3 satin nickel finished 10 rd. (reduced from original 14 rd.) with dual pin retained finger extension bases. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: brown Rogers M59 double mag. pouch and dark brown form fitted pancake style holster without markings; both items very good plus. CONDITION: simply stated, all aspects are near excellent as if just from DeVel in late 1970's. PROVENANCE: Estate collection of Fred Inganamort. (22-1642/NW). MODERN. $4,000-6,000