Make: Smith & Wesson, Customized by DEVEL
Model: Full House Model 59
Serial Number: A331818.007 - (Devel’s Serial Number 007)
Year of Manufacture: 1976-1977
Caliber: 9mm
Action Type: Single/Double Action, Semi-Automatic, Removable Magazine Fed Pistol
Barrel Length: 3 3/8"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramped blade fixed to the slide. The rear is recessed with bright orange-red color fill. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and elevation in a base fixed to the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip panels are smooth two-piece micarta with lucite witness windows and red "DEVEL" medallions. The grips have a few scattered minor marks, but no notable damage. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Nickel
Finish Originality: Original to Devel Customization, numbers match.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The action shows minor operational wear. There are only a few minor marks. There is a little stubborn fouling and dried grease. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Includes two-piece Smith & Wesson box with wax paper, cleaning rod with brush, Devel case gauge, one 13-round Devel customized magazine and original Devel Conversion Services pamphlet. The box appears to have a matching label, but the serial number is interrupted by wear.
Our Assessment: Smith & Wesson is an important name in the story of the American semi-auto double action. In the 1950s Smith & Wesson began the development of the Model 39 semi-auto pistol and it was finally released in 1955. The Model 59 kicked off the "wonder-mine" craze in the police and self-defense pistol market with its double-stack capacity.
The Model 59 is a great pistol with only one problem, guys wanted a smaller carry gun. In New York, Paris Theodore was doing just that, building compact semi-auto carry pistols out of Smith & Wessons. His revolutionary pistol, the ASP, was designed for clandestine organizations and protection of high-ranking government officials. Everybody wanted an ASP, and in the 1970s pistolsmith Charlie Kelsey was also eager to get his hands on one. In 1976, Charlie Kelsey, a Formula One race car driver and mechanical-engineer-turned-gunsmith, sent a pistol to ASP for the conversion, and got back nothing. After two years of waiting he became convinced he could build a better gun himself. He called his attempt "Devel", an old Scottish word for delivering a sudden or severe blow. He consulted with Ken Hackathorn and the result was the DEVEL line.
In a shop near Cleveland, Charles Kelsey took inspiration from the ASP and chopped the frame, slide, and barrel, adding a solid barrel bushing. Chopping the frame was easy, but taking off material from the barrel and slide was a challenge. Removing weight and altering how the tilting barrel lockup interfaces was complex, but he figured it out. There were three offerings from the company, the Function & Reliability package, the Basic, and the Full House. They ranged from minor modifications and reliability work to no-holds-barred transformations. On the top-of-the-line Full House offering, long flutes were cut in the slide, a better rear sight was installed, a hooked trigger guard was added, and clear ASP-style grips were installed so rounds could be counted. On some pistols, such as the one on offer here, the side of the trigger guard was narrowed so you could get to the trigger fractions of a second sooner.
The pistol on offer here comes from the golden era of Devel and features the modifications of the Full House. Number 007, it is in great shape and comes with one magazine, Devel case gauge, and what appears to be its original S&W box. A true find for any collector. Some guns are collectible because of limited production due to unforeseen circumstances. Others are collectible because of their insane workmanship. A Devel is both. These guns combine craftsmanship, beauty, and functionality that is rarely encountered. These are some of the rarest pistols you might be lucky enough to get your hands on. Please see our photos and good luck!
