19-3, re-blued or just very nice?

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richrd

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For some reason I felt my life was not complete without a K frame magnum. So due to gunbroker warping my mind I am now complete. The problem is it is too nice. No polishing scratches, no holster wear, no burred screws, a nice trigger pull. I considered it may have been re blued, but all the lettering is very crisp. the bad thing about it is I think that the two grip panels came from different trees. Did I mention it is very accurate with both magnum and special loads.

What at the odds that this gun has been just lying around for the last 50 years?m191.jpgm19.jpg
 
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I think I see some cold blue touch up in the front of the barrel on the 1st pics. Other than that, hard to see it as a re-blue. Perhaps take pictures in a daylight, it may be easier to spot any tell signs. Bear in mind the model 19 was done in high polish blue, reserved for the two top end N frames - 27 and 29, and model 52 from the semi-autos. So, model 19s tend to look good, even when 50+ years old! And yes, they have among the best triggers - my best revolver trigger is a 4 inch 19-5 from the mid 1980s - it clocks the DA at just a hair under 7 pounds and the SA at 2.5 - smooth as butter in both!
 
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I agree, likely a little cold blue used to try to make the muzzle area look better, but otherwise, that looks like the original finish.
 
I picked up a model 29-1 that had been lying around in some old man's underwear drawer since 1962 that is 98% or better so it does happen! Actually more probably with Magnum calibers, because people bought them for the novelty, then shot them a couple times without hearing protection and recoil they were not accustomed to, so that was the end, and in the underwear drawer they went..........
 
The odds are good. I have a Model 15 that's been sitting in my bedside drawer that long. Well...I guess it's only been 45 years. Lots and lots of revolvers end up like that. It's what they are really good at. I shoot a box once a year just to make sure it still works then clean it well and oil it. So it's got a couple of thousand rounds through it.
 
Looks pretty much original to me. As others have mentioned, the vintage Model 19s were some of the finest revolvers manufactured by S&W- with excellent fit and finish. I only have one Model 19-3, this Texas Ranger Commemorative from 1973. It is a shooter, and the features and finish make it one of the favorites in my modest collection. Shoot it and enjoy it!
IMG_1724.jpg
 
richrd said:
For some reason I felt my life was not complete without a K frame magnum. So due to gunbroker warping my mind I am now complete. The problem is it is too nice. No polishing scratches, no holster wear, no burred screws, a nice trigger pull. I considered it may have been re blued, but all the lettering is very crisp. the bad thing about it is I think that the two grip panels came from different trees. Did I mention it is very accurate with both magnum and special loads.

What at the odds that this gun has been just lying around for the last 50 years?View attachment 761572View attachment 761573
Click to expand...
As long as you're happy shooting the heck out of it! I have mine from 1974 that I had given the Armoloy treatment after a couple of years, along with a Walther PPK/s, and they both look fine. Enjoy that great Revolver!
 
The pic of the left side makes it look a lot better than the right side. Pics being just that, it's hard to judge from the 2 given.
I think I see some slight rounding of edges on the side edge of the top strap, bbl ring and areas below that. But again all in the right side pic. The bbl lettering also a bit drawn out on that side.
...and it might all just be the lighting, oil smears and 'that picture'.

Overall the polish doesn't look as bright as what I'd expect on a 19 in either picture.

A very close look at the polishing grit line directions can usually give you a hint on wether it is a factory job or an after market polishing, no matter how good the latter may be.
Hand polishing rarely follows the directions of what was done by the factory polishers using the HS power belt and contoured grit wheels.
 
Yep, a little cold blue touch up at the muzzle but otherwise original factory finish in my opinion. I would look closely at the ejector rod for wear and the recoil shield for imprinting to determine how much it has been shot. A good light polishing, cleaning and some Ren Wax will make it shine. Find some good book match targets for it. As you mentioned the left and right panels don't match up very well but that's all cosmetic
 
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