I picked up a pre-19 (unfired) at Tulsa. it came with the box and "helpful hints". The question is, did it come with a fluted screwdriver with a spear point or a knurled one? Also, was there an instruction/disassembly sheet, if so what did it look like?

I picked up a pre-19 (unfired) at Tulsa. it came with the box and "helpful hints". The question is, did it come with a fluted screwdriver with a spear point or a knurled one? Also, was there an instruction/disassembly sheet, if so what did it look like?

Pumaonly:

Congratulations on your find!

I believe these came with the knurled screwdriver (it could have been blued or nickel). The "Helpful Hints" pamphlet was the only instruction sheet.

Here is mine with the proper accessories:

The paper bag is one of the few I've seen. I have 2 44 specials with them. They were so dry they almost fell apart so I encased them in a 2" plastic bag.
Your pre-19 came with the relieved grips didn't it?
I'm amazed at how many pre-19's survived unfired.

You didn't post your serial number, but this is the screwdriver that shipped with K-260006, one of the first produced:

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John

My SN is K260068X

Puma, the pre-Model 19 started at K-260000. Yours is an early one, congrats on a great find.

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John

Puma - are you going to post pics.... or just leave us hanging?


John - when were eight row screwdrivers used?

You'll have to ask Doc44 or someone else. Although I have heard Mr. Roy Jinks say that the number of knurled lines depended on who was running the machine that day and what tooling he set up. I don't think there's ever been a definitive date put to the variations.

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John

I never paid much attention to when the different screwdrivers with the Al knurled handle were used and I think they were intermixed over the years after 1956.

Bill

Congratulations on your lengthy quest!