Texas ranger commemorative 19-3

[Smith & Hammer]

I"m looking at a 19-3 Texas ranger commemorative with a presentation case and Bowie knife. looks to be in very nice shape, I've only seen a couple pics so far, still trading texts back and forth over more info. he's asking $1275 +shipping. was wondering if anyone has any inputs or thoughts about the price. the scS&W says that only 1,950 were sold with a presentation case and knife.

thanks for any responses

Bryce

 

[WCCPHD]

Don't know about the prices today. I did a trade for mine about three years ago. It was priced at $1000 then. I got it for about $650 with what I had in my trade and knew I got a great deal.

I have been told that this was one of the only commemorative S&W's that is actually worth more than a similar (non-commemorative) version.

The gun has several special features, it has smooth presentation stocks and a presentation case, all of which add value.

 

[shown50]

I have 1 I bought with the case and knife in unfired condition about 7-10 years ago. I think I paid $1000 or so for it. I would say it’s a good buy under $1500 in my area.

 

[diyj98]

I've watched a guy set up at gunshows for the last few years with the same Texas Ranger priced at $2,500. I heard him tell a guy once that $2,000 would take it, but he hasn't found a sucker yet. I saw one sell online for $1,500. I'd think that $1,275 would be a good price.

 

[Muley Gil]

Don't know about the prices today. I did a trade for mine about three years ago. It was priced at $1000 then. I got it for about $650 with what I had in my trade and knew I got a great deal.

I have been told that this was one of the only commemorative S&W's that is actually worth more than a similar (non-commemorative) version.

The gun has several special features, it has smooth presentation stocks and a presentation case, all of which add value.

Don't forget the narrowed trigger guard and the smooth trigger as well.

 

[RKmesa]

They really are one of the nicer packages...

This is SN TR 39





... and the 50 Deluxe engraved sets are even nicer...

This is TR 40





As to price, I routinely see them sell for between $1K and $1.5K.
If the SN is less than TR100, I would expect to pay a higher premium.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I have been told that this was one of the only commemorative S&W's that is actually worth more than a similar (non-commemorative) version.

Maybe because the others didn't come with a big shiny meat-cutting tool in the box?

 

[Farmer17]

The main reason to buy one is because the polishing and bluing usually looks a bit nicer than an average M-19. I could really care less about a commemorative anything and I don't want any additional words or lettering on a gun.

 

[Claymore33]

$1,500 is a good price if condition is prefect and box & knife are also GOOD. The knife alone sells for $300-350

 

[Hawg Rider]

I'm not a commemorative collector, but I did buy a Texas Ranger Commemorative Set about 5 years ago for $840. I had previously handled a TR 19-3 revolver at a local gun show and really loved the fit and finish. The smooth target stocks are beautiful and fit me perfectly, and I really like the cutaway trigger guard and trigger. A couple years later I found a set and bought it for $840. The exterior of the wooden presentation case was a little rough so I refinished it in a Texas Post Oak finish. I think that you misread the "SCSW 4th Ed." description...there were 1,950 sold as revolver and case only, and 8,000 sold as sets with the bowie knife. Mine is TR6362, and it's a shooter not a safe queen. For some reason the commemorative sets don't seem to appreciate much. It's unfortunate because I think that the TR 19-3 is one of the finest examples of a Model 19 that S&W ever produced. I think that $1200 would be the upper limit for a minty example, and perhaps $1k for one that shows a little wear like mine. I don't think that you will be disappointed. Good luck!

 

[John Patrick]

I have one that didn’t come with the knife. The previous owner added a knife with its matching case, but, obviously, SNs are different.

They’re really nice looking guns.

Mine currently wears S&W combat grips, which I prefer for shooting, but I have the original smooth targets.

 

[colt_saa]

I"m looking at a 19-3 Texas ranger commemorative with a presentation case and Bowie knife. looks to be in very nice shape, I've only seen a couple pics so far, still trading texts back and forth over more info. he's asking $1275 +shipping. was wondering if anyone has any inputs or thoughts about the price. the scS&W says that only 1,950 were sold with a presentation case and knife.

thanks for any responses

Bryce

A total of 10,000 Texas Ranger commemoratives were manufactured. Of those 10,000 produced 8,000 of them had knives with matching serial numbers while 2,000 were the revolvers only. Of the 8,000 only fifty were Master Engraved. That leaves 7,950 that were sold with the presentation case and knife

This is one of my favorite Commemoratives of all of the Smith and Wesson Commemoratives and obviously this is also one of their most successful and highly sought after Commemoratives

The ones that have been Master Engraved are truly spectacular and each one has a slightly different flair to it and its own particular beauty. I became very lucky finding mine back when I was in college with a seller that allowed me to pay it off over time (back in those days I did not have a very good cash flow)

I happen to love the backstrap of my revolver, I think it is one of the best looking of all the ones I have seen so far

Here is the original cut sheet that was sent out to the dealers back in 1973. I apologize for the condition of mine but one day I will find a better one

Not mentioned in the Smith and Wesson advertising sheet is the narrowed trigger guard on this particular model 19 Commemorative. This feature of the Texas Ranger Commemorative is often said to have been inspired by Ranger Capt. Manuel T. Gonzaullas aka "Lone Wolf." He used to slim the trigger guards on his 1911s this way back in the 1900s

 

[Smith & Hammer]

TR 19-3 series

I"m looking at a 19-3 Texas ranger commemorative with a presentation case and Bowie knife. looks to be in very nice shape, I've only seen a couple pics so far, still trading texts back and forth over more info. he's asking $1275 +shipping. was wondering if anyone has any inputs or thoughts about the price. the scS&W says that only 1,950 were sold with a presentation case and knife.

thanks for any responses

Bryce

turns out this model 19-3 has matching sn#'s TR2601 and a less than 50 round count through it.
I feel the same way as most comments are about the TR models. I'll probably take physical ownership next week, here is one of the sellers pics.

 

[clipper1]

I have a copy of the book that was supposedly issued in conjunction with the presentation set. It is autographed by Ranger Capt. Manuel T. Gonzaullas aka "Lone Wolf." and is very interesting to read and loaded with lots off pictures.

 

[Muley Gil]

A total of 10,000 Texas Ranger commemoratives were manufactured. Of those 10,000 produced 8,000 of them had knives with matching serial numbers while 2,000 were the revolvers only. Of the 8,000 only fifty were Master Engraved. That leaves 7,950 that were sold with the presentation case and knife

This is one of my favorite Commemoratives of all of the Smith and Wesson Commemoratives and obviously this is also one of their most successful and highly sought after Commemoratives

The ones that have been Master Engraved are truly spectacular and each one has a slightly different flair to it and its own particular beauty. I became very lucky finding mine back when I was in college with a seller that allowed me to pay it off over time (back in those days I did not have a very good cash flow)

I happen to love the backstrap of my revolver, I think it is one of the best looking of all the ones I have seen so far

Here is the original cut sheet that was sent out to the dealers back in 1973. I apologize for the condition of mine but one day I will find a better one

Not mentioned in the Smith and Wesson advertising sheet is the narrowed trigger guard on this particular model 19 Commemorative. This feature of the Texas Ranger Commemorative is often said to have been inspired by Ranger Capt. Manuel T. Gonzaullas aka "Lone Wolf." He used to slim the trigger guards on his 1911s this way back in the 1900s

Uh, it is mentioned under "Trigger Guard".

BTW, what it the width of your trigger? I've heard they came with .312" ones and I've also heard they came with .400" wide ones.

 

[colt_saa]

Uh, it is mentioned under "Trigger Guard".

BTW, what it the width of your trigger? I've heard they came with .312" ones and I've also heard they came with .400" wide ones.

You are of course correct, it is mentioned on the backside of the cut sheet. My mistake was that I only reread the front side of the cut sheet when I posted

I am not in a position to measure that trigger at the moment. I am about 200 miles away from the revolver and won't be returning for probably two or three weeks

 

[snw19_357]

The Texas Ranger commemorative Model 19-3s I have come across have had a .400 smooth Target Trigger.
Have heard them called Ranger Triggers but have always thought 'Combat' triggers were .312

 

[lppd4]

I bought one (gun only) for $800, not because it was a TR Commemorative but because it was a really nice gun. Great shape and a super smooth action. I came across the knife and a presentation case from a fellow forum member. I like mine has some significance because I’m from Texas and the Rangers are held in high regard by other agencies

 

[Sevens]

I’ve asked this question before but have not yet ever seen the magical answer. The Standard Catalog of S&W by Supica & Nahas suggests that S&W made some over run examples of these in the 19-3 series that should have the half-shaved trigger guard but none of the other commemorative markings, gold or details.

They suggest that these may appear in the wild.

Anyone ever seen evidence that they exist?

That would be one interesting and rare oddball and fun to come across.

 

[CH4]

I don’t buy commemoratives, but I’d take this example home for $1500, not a penny more. What’s the engraved version going for?