I recently saw, in the film " American Gangster ", what looked like a 3 inch model 19. I am not very familiar with 19s. If there is a 3 inch version, would one of the members please post a photo?
Thanks,
DLB

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Be Kind! John 3:16,14:27

I know of only one 3" model 19. I believe it was a pinto. Can't help you with pics.

I just went to IMFDB.com and it listed the 2.5 inch Model 19.

Model 19s with a 3-inch barrel are rare and very expensive when offered for sale. I bid on a couple several years ago, but my bids of $3,200 were too low.

Bill

I think ex-forum member Mike Kelly had one, it was for a foreign police agency if I remember.

If SmithNut doesn't have one or more, I'd be really shocked.

I know that member snw19_357 has at least one. He has some really nice 19's! (hence the name???) He just might post a picture for us.

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RIP Shipmate

There was one on Gunbroker about a month ago. The bids got up to around $1800 I think, but the reserve price wasn't met. It wasn't relisted after the end of the auction, so no way to know if it sold or not.

The one owned by Mike Kelly is a 19-3, with FIXED sights, 1 of 50 of a French contract overrun.

Here's a 3" M19



and pictured with a 2.5" and 4" for comparison

Too bad Mike Kelly isn't a member any longer he was a very knowledgeable guy. Think he could be talked into re-joining again, or was it the other way around?

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Very sweet Chris !!!
Let me know when you get tired of the three inch.
BTW, whats the dash # for the 3 inch or is it no dash?


chuck

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They hold no Quarter

Thanks for the photos!
DLB

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Be Kind! John 3:16,14:27

It's a 19-2.

They're all -2s. The 2.5" is a 1966, the 3" a '67, and the 4" a '68. Now I just need a 1969 6" to complete the picture. Oh wait, they made a couple 5" too. It never ends...

That is one beautiful model 19 snw19_357 !!

I've only ever seen one 3 inch model 19 in person. It was on display encased in glass at the SBI headquaters in Raleigh. I asked if they would swap me for the 2.5" 19 in my holster. The agent who was with me didn't even grin......he just said "No."

Someday....... Regards 18DAI

I'll second that! Never seen one for real in my life.

It's revolvers like that cause me to keep buying them S&W's! Especialy K frame snubs and .41 magnums.

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V/R
Roger / SG

Had what looked like a factory nickeled 3in Model 19 come thru my shop back around '90-'91. Only ever saw 1 other. Couldn't afford to keep it then. It's my grail gun now.

I like a 3in because ya get a full length ejector stroke.

Had one for a few years, never shot it. Letter from Mr. Jenks indicated it was made during a short run in the 60's, and best estimate about 45 produced. Very nice indeed - should have kept it!! (woulda, coulda, shoulda, etc) Live & learn.

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Martin Co,FLA(finally made it)

If they still made them like snw19_357's, I would buy one a year.

About 1970, a US AID operative named Harry Archer (now deceased) took one of those nickel three-inch M-19's to a South American country. Also had a M-60, which he handloaded hot. He wrote articles about this for the now-defunct, "Gunfacts", edited by Ken Warner.

The guns accounted for animals up to capybara, I think, including brocket deer. Archer told me privately that he also found the gun useful to impress an ex-Nazi who hated him.

The three-inch M-19's were made mainly to fill an order from the French President's protective detail. Archer got his nickled one from a friend at the S&W factory. Most were blued.
BTW, the wet climate in the jungle damaged the nickel finish, but had no effect on the stainless M-60.

There have also been some three-inch M-66's, and I suggest one of those stainless ones for actual use, especially in humid areas.

I knew Harry Archer through a mutual friend. Harry got that Smith through Mrs. Van Orden, who owned the Evaulator's Gunshop. Mrs Van Orden always got Harry his Smith & Wessons from the factory since the 1950's. S&W had just done a run of those pistols for the California Bureau of Narcotics.....but all were in blue. I have seen one "Pinto" version in the Washington, DC area in 1972 that belonged to the late Norm Strebe, who was a stockholder in S&W before Bangor Punta bought them out. Those were great handling pistols and made to perfection.....if you ever get to handle one, just look at how the factory mated the front sight ramp to the barrel rib........don't see machining like that on any pistol no a days.

Harry was a serious handgunner, and he had the resources to test all the new hardware being made by US and Foreign weapons makers.......he often had gear custom made from pistols to knives to survival items........it has been a long time since his passing. There are very few like him anymore.

All three are great looking, but nobody even noticed the best of the three..
Has that 4 inch 19 ever been fired? I can't see a turn line on the cylinder.
As a matter of fact I can't see one on the 2.5 inch either.

You're right, you need a 6 inch too........good luck !

Texan

I have the Model 19-3 3 inch barrel that you mentioned that was on gunbroker. I did not sell it since I thought it would be good to have the Smith and Wesson letter. I did get that letter back finally last week which says that the 3inch model 19 was a test undercover weapon alongside the 2.5 inch in the mid 60s. and the 2.5 inch won out and the 3 inch was dropped. Indication from letter is that they were not offered for sale. In August 1970 Smith made 14 Model 19-3 with 3 inch barrel , target hammer and trigger, RR front and wo rear for the State of California.. I have one of these guns and bought it new. It has probably less than 500 rounds through it and no holster wear. I am probably going to talk with more of you about it before I decide what to do next. i will post some photos of letter and revolver in short order.

My 3 inch 19-2

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I also have a true 3 inch Model 19. I picked it up at a gun show back in the 1980s. I paid $350.00 for it. When I picked up I thought it was a 2 1/2 inch model 19. The owner said it was a true 3 inch. I bought it and I didn't dicker with the owner.

Rule 303

My "Grail gun"......... I've heard the number.... 50 ...... were made but have no idea how many remained in the US...

I'm lucky enough to have 3 three inch 66s two -3s and a -4......

I got the -3s new in the mid 80s....for less than $300 out the door. Nobody wanted them; everyone wanted a 15 shot Beretta 92 or a Sig 226.

The -4 I found used in a LGS about 7-8 years ago.......priced as a used 2 1/2 incher $325......picked it up and never set it down until the paperwork was done!!!!!!!!!!!!!




but I need a "pepper" to go with my "salt".

So...pics?

Here is mine

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Steve, SWCA # 2802

There was a thread about these on CalGuns recently. I guy in my neck of the woods found one.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=955807

Were any model 19-4 revolvers manufactured with a 3" barrel?

I have a 19-4 with a 3" barrel, red ramp front sight, and white outline rear site that I purchased at a local gunshop a few years back. It was magnaported, had an action job, and a polished trigger. I assumed the 3" barrel might have been swapped out for an original 2.5".

I know that a Forum Member has a Factory Nickel 3" Model 19,I think it was a -2.He got it from a local Gun Show with the Factory Letter....Must be Nice!

Samwood, that's probably my idea of a perfect concealed carry 19. I have a magnaported model 29-2, and it doesn't flame my nose hairs, so that .357 probably wouldn't, either. If you ever get tired of it..........

I own this Lew Horton 66-3. Supposedly its one of 300 made. Its ported with all the bells and whistles. A few weeks later at another guns hop I seen another that was identical except that one had a ivory diamond inlay in the grip. Never seen another since.

FWIW, last night I examined a 19-2 3" at the Reno Cabelas. I'd guess it to be 90 - 95% with stock magnas. Didn't ask about box and goodies. Asking $2999

Coincidentally, I was packing my 19-4 2.5" that I paid $600 for. May be rare, but not worth 3k for an extra 1/2 of barrel.

Hope it will help someone here that may need it for their collection.

There was also a satin blue Performance Center 3" Model 19-7 "K" comp (right) ...
Should you ever happen upon one in your travels I highly recommend acquiring it !
pictured below with a 2.5" barrel 19-5 (left)

19-2 3 inch nickel

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Show off!!! But if u got it flaunt it! Right? When u gonna sell the Combat in Clamshell case? That's truly a Grail Gun for me. Have a good day Steve.

A super rare 3" gun...WITH a rare YELLOW front sight insert as well? What a combination. Great gun...thanks for posting.

Beautiful revolver. How do you like those Hideout Grips? Are they the rough or smooth ones?

To Texas Star and SpartanDCI. I worked with Harry Archer in
1980. One day, out of the blue, he gave me a handmade fixed
blade knife by W.C Wilber. In the 1980's I was offered $200 for
the knife sight unseen. I didn't sell it.

Old or new, the 3" Model 19 is a special bird....


The one that has eluded me over the years is the 3" fixed sight export model... bummer.

The newer PC models are great to carry and a pleasure to shoot.

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.............SmithNut

My 19's are all 4"...
I still have this 3" 66-2 I bought new in 1986. Holding in my hand, it speaks to me.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

Haven't been around the forum for some time. Below is a photo of my 3".
If you search my profile, you'll see a discussion about this M19 from years back. It has since been lettered and authenticated including front sight replacement. Was recently offered $1800 by a collector but haven't pulled that trigger yet. I love it too much.

Wow! Awesome revolvers guys! Thanks for posting pics of those 3" 19s.

Thanks for all the pics, I didn't even know S&W made the 19 with a 3 inch. Yes AWESOME

I acquired mine a few years ago. Unfortunately Billie Weems engraved it at some point.

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SWCA #1917

Thank everyone for the great pictures.
I have been tempted to bite on a couple 3" 66's but held off waiting for a 3" 19. It may never happen, but the search is half the fun.

I have a 19-3 3 inch bluing is 97 % wondering the value

[email protected]

Welcome! If it is a factory original 3", the numbers quoted above ($2-3000) are probably in the current range. Not many of these sell so it would likely be difficult to find current sales prices.

A history letter from the S & W Historical Foundation would be a very good idea to verify it came from the factory as a 3" gun. We like photos, by the way . Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220