My 19-3 mystery solved.

[SmithNoob]

I bought my 19-3 about a month ago. It came in the box with the cleaning kit instructions and warrenty card. Serial number is K9198xx and shipped May 1970. Today I took a couple photos for the 19/66 thread and was getting some further info off my revolver for another forum members research page I saw that it is in fact marked 18-3 not 19-3. Being that is has some 158 grain .357 loaded in it right now I'm positive it is not .22lr. So was someone to tired at work that day? Also should I bother with a letter on it or not? Thanks in advance. Picture of the marking is from my phone so it is not the best.

 

[kscardsfan]

Mismarked guns do show up from time to time, but I hope nobody converted a .22lr to .357 lol.

 

[SmithNoob]

If they did convert it to 357 they did a good job. lol. I cant believe I didnt notice it was marked wrong when I bought it.

 

[Doc44]

Your 19-3 is simply misstamped 18-3. Like it was stated above, this happens from time to time. Enjoy your Combat Magnum!!! Personally, I don't think a letter is warranted, but that is your call.

Bill

 

[Art Doc]

Already answered but this gives me a chance to trot out old #58.
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I have a S&W Model 28 that is stamped Model 29 (or a 57 as a 58, et al)!

58. S&W built many different models on the same frames and every once in a while one got stamped with the incorrect number. It actually happened quite frequently and nobody pays much attention to it one way or the other. Collectors don't seek them or shun them and prices are essentially unaffect6ed although some sellers will try to claim they are rare and jack the asking price.

 

[SmithNoob]

Thanks for the replies. I thought it was pretty interesting to see. Like I have read on here before anything is possible with Smith & Wesson. lol. The same revolver also has the 8c barrel stamp as oppossed to the &. I plan to let this one sit anyway since it is LNIB and buy another more used one to smack some steel plates with.

 

[Gulf Coast Snapperhead]

Wow, those grips are nice! I really like the way they look.Who makes em?

 

[SmithNoob]

Those are Executioner grips. He is a great guy to deal with and is a member here on the forum.

 

[Captain38]

Those are Executioner grips. He is a great guy to deal with and is a member here on the forum.

Is this where they came from?

Stag Grips

 

[45Wheelgun]

#58 is spot on. Where are the other 57 listed?

 

[Scary Gary]

I don't care what S&W say's , thats a nice Mod. 19 .

 

[Doc44]

SmithNoob...the 8c style of ampersand is correct for a K-frame in the serial number range of yours. I have a 19-3, a 15-3, and a 66 that are roll marked with the same style of ampersand and each is in the same general serial number range as your revolver.

Bill

 

[SmithNoob]

Thanks for the Info guys. Like my name implies i'm a noob at al the little changes and such. When im not looking here I tend to be nose deep in my SCSW.

 

[jtpur]

when these guns get mismarked does that enhance their value as collectibles? I know when coins get missmarked it increases their value.

 

[SmithNoob]

jtpur---from what I have been told it doesn't affect the collector value. Personally I think it is pretty interesting but I didnt notice it until after I bought it.

Update. This revolver is in fact marked 19-3. It was a heavy stamp and looks like a 18 to the naked eye. Thanks digi-shots for the photo work on my revolver.

 

[Slow Draw]

jtpur---from what I have been told it doesn't affect the collector value. Personally I think it is pretty interesting but I didnt notice it until after I bought it.

Update. This revolver is in fact marked 19-3. It was a heavy stamp and looks like a 18 to the naked eye. Thanks digi-shots for the photo work on my revolver.

Well if that's the case, you can't possibly still want to keep it based solely on it's beautiful condition.
She really is a beaut, nice buy.

 

[WVfishguy]

I almost wish you had not shown your gun with those grips - it is a beautiful combo. My wife has a wonderful 19-3, and now I'm going to keep thinking about getting stags for it - it has Herrett cocobolos on it now. I'll see what she says....

 

[Art Doc]

I have a set of polished stags (with medallions) on a nickel M15.

 

[SmithNoob]

Slow Draw...I think I will keep it even though it's not an oddity. lol. I paid a fair price for it but wasn't a steal. However it is the nicest condition Smith I have owned.

WVfishguy...In the time I lurked this site I always loved the stags that everyone had. Once I had a Smith worthy of a set I couldnt resist. My wife is not a wheelgun fan but even she likes the grips.

SaxonPig...Thats a nice 15 you have. Love the grips on it. I like the polished ones more than the ones with bark left on them.