Highspeed, Who made the first "Wonder Nine"?
According to C.E. Ezell's book SMALL ARMS OF THE WORLD the S&W M59 began life in 1968 as an all stainless steel 9mm pistol for the military. It was adopted by the Navy as the Mk 22 silenced pistol, called the "Hush Puppy" it was used in Viet Nam by SEALs to, purposely, shoot guard dogs (hence the nickname).
Commercial versions of the M59 hit the civilian market in 1971. The M59 was derived from Smith's M39 which was introduced in 1954. The only significant difference between the two is the M59's 15 rd clip.
The CZ-75 was first seen on the commercial market in 1975 (hence it's designation), though it surely existed in some form as a prototype before that, designs that perfect don't just spring forth. The CZ-75 has a lot going for it and in my opinion is superior to the M59. Though they are both "Wonder Nines" there is no doubt the S&W M59 came first.
My personal experience with the M59.... At the behest of my Platoon Sargent, in 1983 I bought a used M59 at pawn shop in Downers Grove, Tx. I was a lowly E-3 Cavalry Scout in the 4/9 Cav of the 6th Cav Brigade (Air Combat) at Ft. Hood, Tx. Since I was issued a M-60 when I got to Hood, Sarge said I should get a 9mm pistol for a personal sidearm. If the SHTF my 60 would end up on a bunjee cord in the door of an OH-58 and I'd be sans firearm since our unit didn't issue sidearms to enlisted men (all the officers were issued .38Spls). In those days the only mission we carried about was the Ruskies charging thru the Fuda Gap, and in a European war 9mm would be the way to go. Most people don't realize what a scary time the early 80s were, how unstable Russia was. I believe we came very close to TEOTWAWKI with the Soviets in '83/'84, some of this is just now coming to light, but that's a subject for another forum. The whole time I was at Ft. Hood I kept that M59 in my wall locker, the kicker is we were not authorized to keep firearms on post, had it been discovered it'd gotten an instant Article 15. Typical Army "Catch-22" logic. -- Kernel
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"A Communist is just a Socialist in a hurry." Dick Culver, USMC, Ret.
[This message has been edited by Kernel (edited December 16, 1999).]