dlbx2
Member
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
Thanks,
DLB
3 inch model 19?
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squidsix
Member
I know of only one 3" model 19. I believe it was a pinto. Can't help you with pics.
august1410
Member
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
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.
If SmithNut doesn't have one or more, I'd be really shocked.
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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. 
) He just might post a picture for us. 
BCDWYO
Member
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.
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?
Very sweet Chris !!!Here's a 3" M19
and pictured with a 2.5" and 4" for comparison
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
OP
dlbx2
Member
Thanks for the photos!
DLB
DLB
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'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
Sportsterguy
Member
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.
It's revolvers like that cause me to keep buying them S&W's! Especialy K frame snubs and .41 magnums.
mkk41
US Veteran
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.
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.
Texas Star
US Veteran
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.
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.
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SpartanDCI
Member
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.
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.
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