Another nice find 19-3

[got2hav1]

Been searching for a nice example M19 with 4" barrel. I found this one a few weeks ago and made the deal for it. The owner had it for 20+ years and has lost the box. Today he told me he knows

it's around his house somewhere, so I hope he finds it. Anyway very lightly used 19-3 from 1972. Now I need the same in a shooter grade. (I have one on the radar).

 

[Vtgw938]

Very nice. I'm waiting on one that I hope is that nice. Curious on yours if the stock circles on the stocks are stainless or black? I have a 1972 19-3 that I got in 1973 but the original stocks are long gone.

 

[got2hav1]

Very nice. I'm waiting on one that I hope is that nice. Curious on yours if the stock circles on the stocks are stainless or black? I have a 1972 19-3 that I got in 1973 but the original stocks are long gone.

Not sure what you mean. Can you explain?

 

[kraynky]

I think he's referring to the washers on the inside of the stocks. Some stocks are even numbered to the gun.

That is a beauty for sure.

 

[got2hav1]

I'll take 'em off for a few photos and post back on this thread.

Here is the inside of the stocks. I can't read the number to positively say they are the original stocks. 2K88573

 

[Model29-26.5]

Very nice!!

 

[Vtgw938]

I'll take 'em off for a few photos and post back on this thread.

Here is the inside of the stocks. I can't read the number to positively say they are the original stocks. 2K88573

Thanks, that is what I have on mine as well. The stock circle inserts are commonly called washers. There was a relatively short time that stocks were made with the black inserts and no diamond around the screw. The silver inserts came along about the time our guns were made, probably a year or two after.

Mine isn't quite as nice, but I've had it my whole adult life.

 

[boykinlp]

Been searching for a nice example M19 with 4" barrel. I found this one a few weeks ago and made the deal for it. The owner had it for 20+ years and has lost the box. Today he told me he knows

it's around his house somewhere, so I hope he finds it. Anyway very lightly used 19-3 from 1972. Now I need the same in a shooter grade. (I have one on the radar).

SWEET, you definitely got a GEM there! Maybe the icing on the cake (the box) will show up later on too. Thanks for sharing.
Larry

 

[got2hav1]

Yes, seller initially told me he had the box , so he set the price with the box. Then had to tell me he couldn't find it so he discounted the price for no box. I told him if he could find it I would pay him for the box. Hopefully this will give him some incentive to find it.

 

[Engine49guy]

Very nice 72 Model 19-3 with all the things you'd expect from that year, front site ramp integral with the barrel, usually the front site blade set pin is polished flush and barely visible but sometimes the set pin is visible, yours is quite proud on the left side.
Stocks are typical for the era with a very shiney candy apple type look to them , I'm not surprised the washers inside are black, if it were a Model 66 I would expect to see stainless washers, others will be able to lookup when the directive came down to switch them to all being SS but my guess is that the Model 66 in 72 probably got the SS washer stocks and the Model 19-3 got the black ones until there were no more black ones then they all got SS washer stocks but thats just a guess.
My bet is your gun has the gas ring on the cylinder not on the yoke as well.
Can't tell if your frame rollstamp has the new modern ampersand or if it is the older large ampersand.

 

[got2hav1]

Engine, gas ring is on the cylinder and it has the newer ampersand.

 

[Engine49guy]

A side note on the stocks,
Only a very few early K target stocks are found with a serial number stamped inside because it really wasn't necessary unlike the smaller Magna stocks that were finished to fit the frame so they weren't shy or overhang the frame, that kinda faded away and square butt magna fit wasnt so great by the 1980's imo as they get very sloppy.

Stocks like the guns they were used on have certain features that changed through the years and are fun to compare by themselves, some models like the Model 19 seem to have received better stocks at certain times, Mod 19 GA stocks in the mid to late 60's sometimes have a "KT 357" stamp which was the factory name for the Model 19,
I have seen stocks from the same era stamped KT WAL for walnut K targets which I suspect might have been for use on other K target guns like the Model 14,15,16,17,18 etc.
I have seen a few stamps in the 70s that can't make out what they say as well.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Congratulations on a nice acquisition, that's a sweet Model 19-3. It would be great if the seller could find the box and goodies for you. I only have one 19-3...a 1973 Texas Ranger Commemorative. I think that the 19-3s were some of the nicest Model 19s that S&W ever manufactured, and to me the '73 TR is the finest of them all. The fit and finish is outstanding, and the smooth presentation stocks and cutaway trigger guard are exceptional features. I'm not a commemorative collector, so my TR is a shooter. It fits my big mitts perfectly, and it's extremely fun and accurate. Enjoy!

 

[got2hav1]

Hawg, that is very nice. SW did a nice job on those guns. You should be proud to show that one off. Glad you shoot it too!

 

[boykinlp]

Congratulations on a nice acquisition, that's a sweet Model 19-3. It would be great if the seller could find the box and goodies for you. I only have one 19-3...a 1973 Texas Ranger Commemorative. I think that the 19-3s were some of the nicest Model 19s that S&W ever manufactured, and to me the '73 TR is the finest of them all. The fit and finish is outstanding, and the smooth presentation stocks and cutaway trigger guard are exceptional features. I'm not a commemorative collector, so my TR is a shooter. It fits my big mitts perfectly, and it's extremely fun and accurate. Enjoy!

The 1973 TR Commemorative is my only model 19 too. I always find it funny when the subject of commemorative guns comes up and nearly everybody “po-po’s” on them. The 1973 TR Commemorative must be the exception, because it is nearly impossible to find one for sale, and when you do, they are expensive! I wish I had a time machine so I could go back and buy about 6 of the engraved ones…….before my buddy RKmesa got a hold of them! They are spectacular to me.
Larry