I saw a stainless steel 19-3, today. I did not think that such a thing existed. Is this a transitional model, possibly?

I've only ever known the factory stainless version of a "Model 19" to be the "Model 66". Perhaps you're looking at a Model 19 with an aftermarket finish like hard chrome. There are some veteran collectors on this forum who I'm certain can enlighten us.

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Ad Astra Per Aspera

Definitely stainless; definitely stamped 19-3. 7K serial number.

Hmm, interesting, well, my only other guess that I've never seen personally would be the "fabled unicorn" Model 66 that left the factory incorrectly stamped as a Model 19.

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Ad Astra Per Aspera

Pretty frequently owners appear here with this same question. It's almost certainly a refinish. It the days before stainless guns were widely available it was not uncommon for guns expected to see weather& outdoor service refinished with Armaloy which looks very much like stainless. Or another chrome finish.
You have an excellant revolver for the purposes it was intended.

When I started as a rookie in 1981, it was nearly impossible to obtain a M66 as they were all going to PD contracts. I carried my blue M19 for nearly a year & bought the frst M66 I saw.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

I am going to ask a question and with the question I do not mean to offend you. What about the revolver causes you to be certain it is Stainless? Did you find a "S" under the barrel flat or on the grip frame?

I have seen blued firearms soaked in a 50/50 mix of water an white vinegar. Within an hour or so the gun is back in the white with all the bluing removed. Then someone has done a lot of polishing to make them real shiny. It might be mistakenly thought to be SS.

If it says "19-3" then that's what it is, not a 66.
I was among several people back in the 1970s-80s that had guns refinished with Armoloy. They looked almost exactly like stainless. I was in Colorado at the time - maybe you have one of my old guns?!?!

Definitely NOT stainless.... seems that quite a few hard chrome guns have surfaced recently which have fooled some owners. Look for the S on the frame, check the serial range and look for a 6 prefix in the model number as a start.

I have a 19-3 that is nickel finish, are you sure what you saw was SS ?

Attached Images

19-3.jpg (46.4 KB, 70 views)

It wasn't shiny enough to be nickel. Looked like brushed stainless, but a little duller. I've never knowingly seen armaloy, but that seems like the likely answer. No box, no docs, and a Hogue rubber monogrip-it had a $1000 asking price. Did not remove grip to look for an "S".

Sounds like hard chrome..

$1000... guess he likes it alot... 'cause he'll be keeping it at that price.

duplicate..

So...it’s a refinished shooter, with after market grips and no goodies. It’s in very good condition, feels tight, no cracked cone, timing is right on.What’s a fair price?

I wouldn't give him more that $500 for it, but that's just me.

A friend bought one recently that he swore had to be stainless, and I was about to be convinced, until I contacted Roy Jinks and he confirmed factory nickle.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

No idea of barrel length. Makes a difference.

Check it with a magnet?

Ordanance grade stainless will attract a magnet.

looked like 4"

wouldn't carbon steel still attract a magnet through the chrome?

One picture is worth one thousand words!

Yes it would

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

That looks like some kind of aftermarket finish to me. Definitely not a factory nickel finish, which would be bright and shiny.

Checking with a magnet is no guarantee. SS firearms are usually made with 400 series stainless, which will is magnetic. A magnet sticks to my 66 -1.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

There is no doubt the firearm pictured is finished in one of the various hard chrome plating procedures of the day.

The major giveaway is that the hammer and trigger appear to be identical to the frame.

Smith and Wesson used carbon steel hammers and triggers that were flash chromed for cosmetic purposes. The Factory flash chromed parts are visible different from stainless steel finish on revolvers. Here are a couple of examples of stainless S&Ws
You can see the difference in color and the very matte look of the hammers and triggers

I used the comment section to inform them that it's Armoloyed. Interesting that it's located at the Cabela's where I lived between 1975-2014. I don't think it's one of my old ones, but....

Can't believe Toby at Cabelas Gun Room made such a flat out mistake, but I've seen many mistakes in online gun listings, we all have. I made a purchase from that site years ago. I bought a W&C Scott full sidelock double, Scott's finest 1898 engraving, finest grade damascus barrels and in stellar condition for half its value, just because they didn't know what they had. That particular store didn't deal in very fine, high grade doubles back then and apparently didn't do the homework. I didn't complain then and I still ain't.

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Jeb

I'll second on the hard chromed finish..... looks just like my Model 36 which I showed here on the forum, questioning what in heck was the finish. As many a collector here pointed out to me, good for its purpose.....but not for its collectability! That said, I carry mine almost daily and love it!

Certainly looks like a hard chrome finish to me, which makes it very resistant to rust. $1000? I have three words for a refinished 19 at that price; no, no, and no.

This is not stainless, it is a Metaloy finish over a blued gun.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

After getting a message from gfors with the location I can say I’ve seen this 19. It certainly looks like every hard chrome finished Smith I’ve ever seen.

In my opinion that Cabela’s is notoriously high in their used gun prices.