Hi all,

This is my first post here.
Could you help me identity one revolver?
I wrote to the S&W FB page but they can't help me.
SN have only 5 digit without prefix.
It looks like a "19" but why there is no model stamp?

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Welcome! This appears to be a factory model 19, but in all your photos the factory stampings have been removed and redone. As seen in photo 3, "15231 US" is not a true model 19 SN (it would have had a K and several numbers, then later three letters and four numbers). "If" the 6" barrel is original to the gun it should have been model stamped and had the SN where the numbers near the extractor rod appear in photo 4, but this appears to have been ground off and restamped as well. The stocks are factory as well, but the upper left panel has been altered.

In the USA this gun would be illegal to own with an altered or removed serial number; the laws of your country may be different. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

That 19 also spent some time in Germany. It was proofed in Germany in 1969.

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Bill Bates

Are there any small numbers stamped on the flat on the bottom of the barrel or the rear face of the cylinder? What is the caliber stamped on the right side of the barrel? Obviously the 15231 US butt stamping is not original.

Obviously, this gun will never be legally re-imported into the US, so Americans' obsession with the legalities of original serial numbers is probably of no concern to you, as long as the gun is legally registered with the number currently stamped on the gun in your country.

The original number is however the best way to positively identify and determine the age of the gun.

THX all for the response. You confirmed my thoughts.
On the barrel is "357 magnum" mark.
Lucky this isn't my revolver.
I was only thinking about buying it... and now I don't.

I will continue hunting for S&W 27 or 28 and 29 of course, and 19 with 6" in my country Poland.
Already I have S&W 19-4 4" and I love it.

THX for your help!

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Well, at least the right side of the barrel has the factory stamping .

Is it difficult to buy and own firearms in Poland? Good luck in your future searches.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Not everebody can have guns in Poland. From 2011 is a little easier, but it cost time and money and determination. Here are few types of permission like a Sport, Collectors, Self Defence etc. I have permission for collectors it's widest permission for many types of guns.
Poland = 38 000 000 people, but official guns owners are under 400 000 with 14 000 collectors.
We have shops, no problem with guns like a Glock's etc., but if you want some less popular it's harder to buy.
Used guns - our market is little and young, many used guns [like my S&W] comes to us from Germany.
At least I'm happy that I have now guns [S&W 19-4, Bushmaster M4 Patrolman, Sig Sauer P320 and Mossberg 195-A - all my guns are made in USA ].
Now we have good goverment that want to change the law. New law will be like in the USA - "my home my castle".

I would think that most in Poland (and most Eastern European countries) would want universal gun ownership, after everything Poland has gone through over the last 80 years.

I think the Czech Republic issues some carry licenses, rare in Europe.

Actually, outside of the USA and South Africa, I don't think many countries allow concealed carry. I think some Belgians can get a license and probably Swiss.

I would like to see Poland added to that list.

Welcome. As a collector I am sure you know that the S&W models you seek (27,28,29) are known as N frames. I wish you the best of luck in finding one- you will love it.

without looking in the "Book", I don't know when they stopped putting the serial number on the backside of the extractor star....you might look there for the original S/N.....kinda like a secret place if you don't know about it.

From what I have seen, stampings of SNs in locations other than on the butt more or less stopped around the approximate time model numbering started (1958-59). I have one very early Model 10 which has no SNs on the barrel, cylinder, yoke, extractor star, or grips. It does have assembly numbers on the yoke and grip frame. It could be different for different models and as usual there will probably be some transition period. I think this one is probably a Model 27 as the barrel has the extractor rod shroud (which is not serial numbered either).

I dont' think this is Model 27. 27 is N-frame, this one looks like the K-frame. Space between cylinder and frame front side is like in 19 not 27/28.

You 're right. Some here have a really hard time determining which size gun they're looking at either here or on TV and in movies. They must have really bad judgement. Dwalt is usually more knowledgeable, and may have typed Model 27 because he wasn't wide awake or paying attention. I think he knows that Model 19's have extractor rod shrouds.

This is clearly a Model 19. The only questions in my mind are the markings/proofmarks and whether the six-inch barrel is original. If it is well fitted, and you aren't a collector, I see no problem there. I've owned several six-inch barreled M-19's and they were very accurate and easier to shoot well than shorter barrel lengths. And they give higher velocity. The lack of a Model marking is most curious, unless a longer barrel was later fitted to a very early Combat Magnum made just before model markings were adopted. I think the CM was on the market by 1955-56, and markings began in 1958. I once owned a four-inch barreled CM made before Model 19 was assigned. It was a beauifully made and finshed gun.