According to the included factory letter this pistol was part of a 200-piece shipment sent out on 16 September 1966 to Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Coronado, near San Diego, California. Established in 1944, NAB Coronado was originally a training area for the landing ship crews responsible for delivering American Soldiers and Marines into combat in the Pacific Theater, and would grow from that role into a major facility for the Navy special warfare community including the Underwater Demolition Teams and the Navy SEALs, in addition to serving as a proving ground for equipment intended for the amphibious warfare role. The Model 39 was the parent weapon for the Vietnam War-era Mk 22 and Mk 22 Mod 0 Pistols, both high capacity Model 39 variants carried by Navy SEALs into action. The included paperwork contains a supply department Equipage Stock Card identifying this pistol as the issued sidearm of U.S.N. Captain Wade C. Wells. A Tennessean by birth, Wells graduated from Georgia Tech in 1937 with a bachelors degree and an Ensign's commission through the Navy ROTC, entering the service in 1939. With the outbreak of World War II Wells transitioned to the regular Navy, serving in gunnery and staff roles through the conflict. Afterwards, he would alternate between sea duty, land staff roles, and stints as a professor with the NROTC. In 1966, he was posted to NAB Coronado as the commander of River Assault Flotilla One (aka RivFlotONE). A major "brown water" combat force in Vietnam, RivFlotONE operated out of waterborne barracks ships with a variety of semi-custom assault craft, including up-armored landing craft, boats that doubled as helicopter pads for resupply and casualty evacuation, and the Monitors, heavily armed gunships that rolled out with machine guns, 40mm autocannons (later upgraded to 105mm howitzers) and in some cases bow-mounted flamethrower turrets. A matching S&W blue box with two extra magazines is also included, along with a Bucheimer-brand shoulder holster. Also included with the documents are newspaper clippings and write ups on Captain Wells and RivFlotONE, original photographs of the Flotilla's interesting combat boats, and two related shoulder patches.

Excellent, with 99% plus original blue/anodized finish, showing some light handling marks overall, along with a few mild dings on the grips. The holster shows some light scuffs and stains overall, with mild verdigris buildup around the metal fittings and the leather remaining supple. The box shows a few minor scuffs, but is generally intact. Mechanically excellent. A scarce and excellent Smith & Wesson military-purchased handgun, documented to a major naval figure in the Vietnam War.