Saw advertised a model 19-3 in 38 S&W with an advertised 8 1/4 inch bbl...(8 3/8 I assume) I didn't know S&W put out an 8 3/8 in a model 19...special order?

More likely someone who doesn't know what they are selling.
Never heard of one in 38 S&W either

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Sounds to me like someone is misreading a 14-3 stamp as a 19-3, and leaving off "special" after 38 S&W

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I have seen at least one model 19 with an 8 3/8" model 14 barrel installed - easy enough to ask the seller if the cylinder fully seats a .357 but I suspect bruner1981 is correct.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I emailed the seller, it is a 38 special but clearly marked mod 19-3

Posting for my boss, who doesn't even know how to turn a pc on!

While he was at a local gun show this past weekend he realized that he may have something quite "special" in his collection.

He's sure it's a 19-3 38 Special with 8-3/8" barrel.

Serial number is 4K3xxxx

I have spent the majority of the morning trying to locate information on this - hard task, I tell ya!

I've attached a photo for reference. Any information I can get is much appreciated!!

Thanks,
R

Attached Images

IMG_0583 (1).JPG (159.1 KB, 233 views)

I've never seen a Model 19 without an under lug. I think that's a photo of a Model 14; or a Model 14 barrel on a Model 19 frame.

EDIT:
According to the 4th Edition only one single Model 19 was ever produced in 8 3/8.

R

That is a fun gun. I would suspect that the 8.375" barrel is off a Model 14 mounted on a Model 19 frame, as it does not have the tell-tale Model 19 barrel that shrouds the extractor rod. It does look to have the longer 357 Mag cylinder. A couple of photos of the back of the cylinder would confirm, as it would be a recessed cylinder if it was a 357 and a non recessed/flat cylinder if it is a 38 special. It also could be a mismarked Model 14 frame (not all that uncommon). As one who has collected S&Ws for a long time, I can say that nothing is impossible with S&Ws. The saying goes that if someone really wanted something, knew someone at the factory and was willing to pay for it, S&W would make it. However, I can tell you with reasonable certainty that an 8.375" model 19 in 38 S&W Special was never a cataloged item.

The only way to know for certain is to request a letter from the S&W Historical Society. Cost is $75 and it takes a few weeks. There is a link to the form somewhere in the "downloads" section of this Forum.

Good luck,

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Thanks RK!

First thing boss had me do today was print off a request letter, it's already in the mail. We will get to the bottom of this, and I'll pass on what we find out!

Thanks again for such a speedy reply!

-R

There's been one on GB. It's a 19 frame with 14 long tube screwed into it as you would expect.

Considering this addition by the original poster --
I see nothing inconsistent with it being a Model 14 that was miss-stamped Model 19. More likely the seller is reading the 4 as a 9. Either way it has no special collector value.

About a dozen more photos would be nice!