I picked up a 4" nickel M19 no dash 4 screw yesterday for a really good price.
It was residing among all the PD trade in sigs and glocks at a local shop and had to be liberated.
It has really nice diamond target stocks and appeared to be 98%+ condition, but upon removing the stocks for cleaning there was some small spots of rust/pitting around the top of the grip frame. None is visible with grips on.
Unfortunately I don't have a camera to post pics. Curious how one would estimate rating/condition in this case ? Also any value estimation anyone may have would be greatly appreciated. Oops, forgot no box or papers.

Thanks

Your description is very vauge but the nickel 4 screw is more rare than blue.
I would say somewhere between $550 and $1000 ,
A picture is worth 1000 words but for estimating condition try this site.

http://www.armchairgunshow.com/Condition-NRA-Guns.htm

Sorry about that. Nickel is perfect except for turn line. Locks up tight & no end shake. Grips are in great shape. I guess what I was getting at is how much would the small spots under the stocks affect value. I've only got $359.00 in it so I'm pretty happy regardless.

Thx

You should be very happy...

Awesome !

You definately scored with that one and it has "Proud" front site pins as well.



I love that blued FS ramp and proud pins on the older versions !

You will never get hurt at that price...even if it was refinished. Congratulations on a nice addition. For the record, here is a nickel Combat Magnum (aka Pre-19) from Dec. 1956.

That is a beautiful Combat Magnum ! Were the smooth grips original to the gun ?

With the help of Engine49guy I hope to have some much better pics up soon.

See if a No. 2 lead pencil will get some of that rust off. Most gun owners don't oil under the grips enough.

I wouldn't be "pretty happy" with that deal... I'd be freakin' estatic! Congratulations on a great find. I'm not that big on nickel plated guns, but for that one, I'd be willing to make an exception.

Regards,
Froggie

Model 19s seem to be different guns based on barrel length. The hottest commodity seems to be the 3" guns, followed closely by the 2 1/2", and then the 6". The poor 4" seems to be the one nobody loves. I don't understand it, but people seem to prefer the stablemate 4" M66 a lot more. The prices on all of them have moved up above the $500 mark. The general rule seems to be if you find one in really good shape for less, its a steel

As for your rust issue, who knows. There are people who have corrosive skin or sweat. If they even touch a gun, it seems to rust, peal, or change color. The minor surface corrosion back where it does no functional harm isn't a big issue, except to collectors. The folks with sweaty hands that know of their problem usually don't forget to wipe down their guns. The area under the grips seems to be just too much trouble. So they ignore it and it eats away the plating and you get rust.

I'd suggest you buy some Mothers or Simichrome or similar metal polish and really scrub at the rust spots. At least if you confine your work to the area under the grips, you've got a real good chance of removing it. Then either use a good wax product or oil to cover the area where you've worked. With nickel plating, wax seems to work better than any oil because the oil just beads up and rolls off. Regardless, from now on I'd treat the gun as if its made of egg shells. Use is fine, but in the future it really does need proper care. That means cleaning with a good powder solvent and then re-waxing. It really doesn't take much time or effort. Your reward will be owning a really nice looking gun that will serve you well for as long as you live. Even if you're only 21 now.

__________________
Dick Burg

I dont know, around here, the 6" are more common, 2.5" almost nonexistant in any sort of decent shape, 4" can be found.

6" model 66's, on the other hand, not seen too often

The only thing I would add is to avoid Hoppes #9 oil on nickel guns as it reportedly ruins the nickel.

IMO while the Model 19 has jumped in price it has yet to hit its prime ,
When compared to similar models it is a bargain and many shops still cannot tell a 19-1 from a 19-4.
The OP's bargain price suggests this probably might have occurred .

On the other hand alot of private sellers have doubled the reasonable price of run o the mill versions,
suddenly we are hearing about $800 19-3's a the gunshows.

S&W got it right with the Model 19 ,
Back in the late 50's , 60's and 70's a beat cop wanting some "Magnum" force considering his carry options might realize the well finished tiny little Model 19 featherweight had alot in its favour especially when compared to the other two S&W 357 options,
The minimalistic Model 28 brute or its fancy and pricey Model 27 twin .

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll give them a try. Been using Ren wax for a few years and it's worked great on nickel.

New pics.....Nice...

I don't know why the 4-inch version gets the short shrift. In my opinion, the 4-inch Model 19 is the best balanced, most versatile handgun extant. For its size, weight, handiness, and power spectrum, it is my favorite all-around S&W.

You... got it for... how much...