Help with a Commemorative 19-4

[E&J]

I have a gentleman's agreement to purchase a Model 19-4 New Mexico State Police Commemorative revolver. Can anyone tell me how many were made and any relevant info to this gun? I do not have the serial number yet but there is a "165" stamped on the left side of the frame (see photo below). The seller claims it is unfired. It also has the NMSP badge and 1935-1975 engraved on the right side plate in place of the normal S&W logo. (Im assuming is was manufactured in 1975).

Of course it comes with the wood box with the same NMSP logo engraved in the top, blue velvet(?) lining and it looks to be the real deal.

This is an online purchase so I will not see the gun until it arrives. If I can get the seller to provide the serial number to me yet today, I will update this post. Any guidelines to placing a value on a gun like this?

As always, thanks for any help you can provide!
Larry

 

[824tsv]

Hello,
The Standard Catalog states:
New Mexico Sate Police: Model 19-4, 4" Blue, 400 manufactured in 1975 with wood presentation case.
Thats all there is….

 

[E&J]

I have the serial number now. 40K91XX No prefix. Somewhere today I read the 19-4 weren't made until 1977 but that must be wrong...

824tsv - thanks for the info.

I would still be interested in opinions of value. I'm guessing $700 unfired?

 

[824tsv]

From what I've read, presentation guns aren't particularity popular and don't bring any premium in price unless the particular piece can be associated with someone famous. It's worth what a standard Model 19-4 would be in the same condition? I dunno… On a side note, I would have expected a presentation piece to have had the stamped number on the left side done a little better?? It looks out of line and crooked….

 

[hardcase60]

"On a side note, I would have expected a presentation piece to have had the stamped number on the left side done a little better?? It looks out of line and crooked…." I agree with 824tsv. That said, if there were only 400 made then that puts the 165 in the first half of the run. I also agree with 824tsv on the value. That is unless you are/were associated with NMSP or have an affinity for LE guns then it might be more valuable to you personally but at the end of the day to everyone else it is most likely just another 19-4. Me I have that affinity for LE guns, therefore I will take wounded warrior, rehab her, spend more money than she will ever be worth retail, and be stupidly proud of what I've done. Too many mashing's and crashing's may have scrambled something.

hardcase60

 

[E&J]

I have no affiliation with any law-enforcement agency. An unfired pinned and recessed 19–4 must have some value. The agreed-upon price is reason enough for me to purchase this particular revolver even if I never shoot it. By the time I retire it will be over 60 years old so I'm betting it will make a nice investment.

Don't get me wrong, I love to shoot all my guns but how often do you get a chance to buy an unfired 38 year old S&W?

 

[Bajadoc]

Watch what you pay for this one.

 

[hardcase60]

Bottom line is if you are happy with the gun and the price you paid for it then that is what matters. Market's change and at some point presentation guns may very well command a premium over their like counterparts. You are correct a unfired, P&R, 19-4 is very possibly a darn good investment.

BTW, congratulations!!

hardcase60

 

[E&J]

Watch what you pay for this one.

If you walked into your LGS and you saw this gun, what would the price tag have to say to make you really think about it?
I'm not really sure what a nice 19 without any box etc. goes for. Seems like they are going for $550-$700?

 

[hardcase60]

If I walked into a LGS and saw your example at $550.00, my hand couldn't get to my money-clip fast enough. She would be in the truck and most likely seat buckled in for the ride to her new home. LOL On any other nice 19-4 there might be some soft haggling but the outcome would be the same.

hardcase60

 

[E&J]

Let's just say I did better than that. I'll post a full write up in a few weeks with better photos.

My mind is at ease, thanks!

 

[John H/PA]

I have a very similar looking commemorative 19-4, which is the 75th anniversary model from the PA State Police. The number stamped on the left side of mine is my badge number. Possibley New Mexico did the same. I just saw a new old stock 19-4(NIB unfired) sell tonight for $925 on the auction site if that helps.