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Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The first Model 48, serial number K 348746, was produced on May 11, 1959, and was featured in the Smith & Wesson catalog by August of the same year, as documented by Roy Jinks in History of Smith & Wesson. Since its introduction, the Model 48 has been exclusively available in a blue finish, with barrel lengths of 4, 6, and 8 3/8 inches. Over the years, this revolver has undergone four revisions, each introducing significant changes to its design. The origina …

Bryant RIdge's Analysis: The Smith & Wesson Model 39-2 is a historic and reliable semi-automatic pistol that continues to garner respect among gun enthusiasts and professionals alike. Developed in the wake of World War II, the U.S. military sought a modern 9mm service pistol to eventually replace the iconic Colt 1911. Smith & Wesson responded with the Model 39, which was designed in 1954 for the U.S. Army. However, despite its innovative features, it was not adopted by the military and i …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Smith & Wesson Model 39-2 is a historic and reliable semi-automatic pistol that continues to garner respect among gun enthusiasts and professionals alike. Developed in the wake of World War II, the U.S. military sought a modern 9mm service pistol to eventually replace the iconic Colt 1911. Smith & Wesson responded with the Model 39, which was designed in 1954 for the U.S. Army. However, despite its innovative features, it was not adopted by the military and i …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Smith & Wesson Model 639 is an upgraded version of the Model 39, a semi-automatic pistol that was initially used by military and law enforcement. Smith & Wesson's first-generation metal-frame semi-automatic pistols started with the Model 39, which was released to the civilian market in 1955. As more similar designs were created, the Model 39 became known as a "first generation" design. Second-generation models have three digits in their model number, while th …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Model 16 is a .32 S&W Long double-action revolver built on the square-butt K-frame, previously known as the K-32 Masterpiece. The postwar version introduced several key updates, including a new hammer block for enhanced safety, a serrated barrel rib, and a micrometer-click adjustable rear sight. It features a 6-shot, fluted cylinder with a nominal length of 1.56", a 6-inch pinned barrel, and checkered walnut magna-style grips with S&W medallions and a diamond …