lofton&1952...S&W had engraving done by in-house engravers and also sent guns to outside contractors for engraving (I have 44 Magnums that letter as factory engraved, but one was engraved in Germany in 1957 and one by Alvin White in 1958). Given the time frame of your Combat Magnum, Model 19-4, your gun could have been engraved by an in-house engraver such as Russ Smith, or done by a contract engraver in Italy. Guns engraved in Italy generally are very similar in engraving pattern, and while well done, usually sell for less than guns engraved by in-house engravers which usually exhibit more unique patterns of engraving. A photo will generally allow many of us who have collected engraved guns for many years to determine the engraver (or, at least if the gun was contract or in-house engraved) and give a decent estimate of value. I hope this information is of use to you.

Bill