19-3 Questions?

Mirvin 264 · #1 07-06-2020, 06:52 PM

Looking at this beautiful 19-3 that is for sale on another site. Does it look all look original? I'm curious about the trigger and hammer which look to be highly polished like the rest of the gun. Is it supposed to be case colored or as it shows in the pictures? Thanks for any input!

JP@AK · #2 07-06-2020, 06:55 PM

A refinished revolver.

Mirvin 264 · #3 07-06-2020, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP@AK

A refinished revolver.

Has the entire gun been refinished or just the trigger and hammer? Who might have re done the nickel finish, because it looks very nice?

Mirvin 264 · #4 07-06-2020, 07:06 PM

I just saw an area above the grip that looks to be flaking. I can get the revolver for $575, so would it be worth that to a collector?

old bear · #5 07-06-2020, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirvin 264

I just saw an area above the grip that looks to be flaking. I can get the revolver for $575, so would it be worth that to a collector?

To a collector, NO.
But if you want what appears to be a nice shooter grade M-19, I don't think is to far out of line. Try offering $525.00. All the seller can do is say no.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Vulcan Bob · #6 07-06-2020, 07:40 PM

About five years ago I bought a nickel 19-3 that had been repaired by S&W. The repair invoice statement, R and R that I took to be repair and replace. It had a flash chromed hammer and trigger. Looked a bit weird at first but I got used to it.

stansdds · #7 07-07-2020, 07:07 AM

The hammer and trigger are definitely not factory finished. As to the rest of that Model 19-3, I dunno. If the extractor star is also nickel plated, then definitely not original. The flaking of the nickel plating makes me suspect the entire revolver was refinished.

cmansguns · #8 07-07-2020, 08:37 AM

Factory Nickle guns also had a N stamped on the cylinder, as well as on the frame (visible with the grips off).

Pics below are my Model 10 that is original S & W factory Nickle so you can compare.

Also if you cannot inspect that gun personally, and up close with a magnifying glass, ask for some better pictures of the forcing cone area...there are many stories running around (with some actual validity) about cracks in the flat portion (6 o'clock low) from shooting a large quantity of hot 357 Magnums. The one picture seems to show some pitting or trouble where bbl meets the fame adjacent to the forcing cone.

If ANY sign of problems (which a refinish may be covering up) then run don't walk from that one.

Mirvin 264 · #9 07-07-2020, 09:03 AM

Thanks guys for all the helpful info! Being that we are over 3 hrs. apart which prevents me from being able to visually inspect the gun, I decided to respectfully pass on the 19. He sent me a better picture of the flaking which looks to be limited to the removable side plate, but I also noticed the plating was chipping on the screw heads on the plate as well. I also don't see an "N" stamped anywhere along the cylinder face, which I'm guessing means it's an aftermarket job. There's just too many questions about the gun for me to feel safe in purchasing. The search continues!

Benton Quest · #10 07-07-2020, 09:23 AM

Yeah...that sideplate fit is suspect.

Would be a decent shooter, but not a collector.

Sent from my SM-T510 using Tapatalk

A10 · #11 07-07-2020, 09:52 AM

I think you made the right call passing on that one. Refinished guns can be a challenge, and it takes close inspection to see if they have been abused. With the nickel flaking I would also question the quality of the refinish. As you say, the search goes on!

Art Doc · #12 07-07-2020, 11:05 AM

I wouldn't accept it as a gift.

old bear · #13 07-07-2020, 12:37 PM

If you wanted a SHOOTER grade revolver, I would not pass on that one at a discounted price.
If you want it make the seller a decent, whatever that may be, counter offer. Come on $500.00 ain't a ton of $$ these days.
Good luck!!

andy52 · #14 07-07-2020, 12:43 PM

This is what a nickel 19-3 looks like as it came from the factory.

JP@AK · #15 07-07-2020, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy52

This is what a nickel 19-3 looks like as it came from the factory.

Andy
That is a nice looking nickle Combat Magnum and it hasn't been messed with.

BUT I have a very hard time believing those stocks are factory original - not on a -3, production of which ended in 1977.

cmansguns · #16 07-07-2020, 04:08 PM

My Nickel 6" Model 19-3 was 1976 (sold several years ago) and it had the same target grips. These were original to the gun and bought from the original owner. Is there a inception date for grips of this type that deems they were not available for 19-3's in late 1976/1977?

PS: my grips appear to be football cutout targets, are the others posted above called speed loader cutouts?

JP@AK · #17 07-07-2020, 04:18 PM

Charlie

Your PS hits the target. The K frame target stocks with the speed loader cut became available in about 1978/79. By that time the iteration of the Model 19 was the -4. Yours are correct for the -3.

A10 · #18 07-08-2020, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP@AK

Andy
That is a nice looking nickle Combat Magnum and it hasn't been messed with.

BUT I have a very hard time believing those stocks are factory original - not on a -3, production of which ended in 1977.

If his -3 is a very late production the speedloader cuts may have come from the factory. With S&W, never say never!

andy52 · #19 07-08-2020, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP@AK

Andy
That is a nice looking nickle Combat Magnum and it hasn't been messed with.

BUT I have a very hard time believing those stocks are factory original - not on a -3, production of which ended in 1977.

You are correct Jack and I forgot to mention that when I posted.
I have the original stocks but the ones on there now are just nicer looking. That 19-3 shipped 1974 according to Roy.