Description
Every legacy has a beginning, and for the Smith & Wesson Model 4006, it starts here—with this original factory prototype. This isn’t just another 4006—it’s the one that came before the production models, a tangible piece of Smith & Wesson history marking the transition into their celebrated third generation of double-action/single-action pistols.
Debuting officially in January 1990, the Model 4006 became an instant law enforcement favorite. Its stainless-steel frame, rugged reliability, and balanced .40 S&W chambering were so well-executed that the California State Police adopted it as their standard issue sidearm. This decision lasted more than two decades. But long before that iconic partnership, this prototype set the blueprint for everything that followed.
Distinctive design cues set it apart from later models: a white-dot front sight paired with a fully adjustable rear sight with protective ears, giving it a refined yet tactical silhouette. Its markings are all correct and clean—the Smith & Wesson address on the slide, the model designation on the frame, and an unmistakable “X”-prefix serial number, confirming its status as an actual prototype.
The pistol comes in a simple hard case with an extra magazine—Spartan and practical, exactly how a developmental piece should be. But its real value isn’t in the accessories; it’s in what it represents: innovation at the turning point of modern American sidearms.
For serious Smith & Wesson collectors, law enforcement historians, or anyone drawn to the evolution of functional design, this is the kind of discovery that rarely surfaces. The S&W 4006 Prototype isn’t just an early version—it’s the foundation of a legacy that defined a generation of duty pistols.
