The last time VM and I went looking at guns we got to talking about CMs and early M19s (19, -1 & -2) and how we don't see them for sale. Last night I was looking through the SCSW and came to the part about CMs. There is only a small section with little info about these guns. It got me thinking that I don't see them on here much either.
I guess my question is where are these guns? Were there not many made?
If you have one and have a photo handy I'd love to see them. Thanks in advance.

Sir.
I have a couple CM's:
4 screw Model 19
4 screw Model 19-1
Model 19-3 6 inch.
I have pics at home and can add them this evening.
I don't use, shoot, or carry any or them. They look nice when I get them out of safe. I have never found a good use for them. I own enough guns that I have favorites and CM's have not worked their way into the favorites catagory.
They are not for sale, either.
Bill@Yuma

Looks like I'm the first one to post a picture of a CM, so I'll post the
picture of the first CM .



Mike Priwer

Ok that bout does it, I think after Mike's post that covers it....Nice one Mike

Mike, is that your gun because I would be surprised if it was sold out of the Jordan family.

Or maybe not based on all the first timer posts about "How much is this gun I inherited worth so I can sell it?"

here are my 2 CM's
66 no dash



19-3

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Scott from Canton Ohio

Here is mine a 19 no dash 4 screw sn# 4213xx. It took a few years of looking, not to hard, but looking to find a nice early 19

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Bill Bates

Hey, those Combat Magnums are out there, and their owners are by and large not getting rid of them at gun shows. I own four Model 19s, a 4" blue, a 4" nickel, a 6" blue, and a 2.5" blue. I think they are the ideal combination of power, portability, and control. You won't find me giving up any of them soon, that's for sure.

Same goes for the Model 66s, of which I own three - a couple of 2.5" models and a 4".

Whenever I DO see a Combat Magnum at a gun show, I notice that if it's in decent shape, it doesn't last long on the table.

The L-frames are too heavy and bulky compared to the K-frames. With proper care and the correct feeding, the K-frame magnums will serve well and last virtually forever.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Two 19-2s with a rare 5-inch barrel and nickel finish.

Bill

SP

Rex Applegate bought the gun from Bill Jordan years ago - no later
than 1980. Roy lettered the gun for Rex in 1980. Following Rex's
death, his collection, including this gun, was auctioned in Sept 1999.
That is where/when I acquired it.

Here is a condensed page from the auction catalog, showing this
gun along with an early model 57 that Jordan had. Both guns have
similar carved ivory stocks. The 19 was shipped with walnut target
stocks, and that is what I have on it presently; the ivories are
set aside!



Regards, Mike Priwer

Wow, I asked for pics and you guys bring out the creme of the crop. Thanks.

Serial number 1 has got to be the epitomy of one's collection.

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Dick

All.
Here are pics of the Model 19's I mentioned in my first post. I can't add them there. They would be in front of Mike's serial number 1 and that would not be right.


Model 19: 4 screw




Model 19-1: 4 screw





Close up:


Bill@Yuma

This might be too new?

66-1 (1980)

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Watch & Pray

My only four inch 19 at the moment, I bought it used but like new about 84. Lots of rounds down the tube but pretty much retired now after being replaced with a 66.


Keith

There's Combat Magnums and there's Combat Magnums, if you get my drift.

My preference is for the real deal .357 Combat Magnum or "Pre-Model 19" as some call it. Produced from 1955 (starting at K260001) until model marked in 1957 as the Model 19. As I understand it, Bill Jordan's input in the design was invaluable. Beautiful gun to carry, as well as shoot.

Out of all of my CMs here's my own favorite, courtesy of Papalondog. I believe he may have a few more like it tucked away.

CombatM 002.jpg

S/N K2609XX

And don't get me wrong, that Model 19 S/N 1 unit of Mike's is fabulous. A true piece of Americana.

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Mitch
SWCA 2438

In the 1960's and 1970's, the Combat Magnum/Model 19 was probably the most popular optional sidearm carried by U.S. cops. Lots of them were purchased by the officers with their own funds and many departments bought and issued them, too. It remained so until some of the luster was stolen by the Model 66, the same gun made in stainless steel. They were often hard to find and many dealers marked them up well over suggested retail. The popularity of both waned when the switch to semiautomatic pistols gathered steam.

I think that when shooters mentally picture the S&W revolver, the image of the 4 inch Combat Magnum most often comes to mind.

They are such a useful gun, that when an owner decides to sell his, it often goes to a shooting buddy, with no advertising involved.

4 screw

Smith17,
Wow, she's a beauty!
Beautiful grips as well.
586L-Frame

I appreciate all the pics but these early ones are the ones I was really looking for. I just don't remember physically seeing a pre 19 or a M19 or even a M19-1 for sale. I've only seen a couple of -2s that I remember and one of those had been re-nickeled.
I should have ask in my first post, for the ones that have the pre 19s with target grips, is the serial number stamped in the right grip panel?
The reason I ask is I have a set of grips with an early CM serial number stamped in them. Was wondering if most came this way.

Couple of my favorite CM's:

Texas Ranger 210 (1 of 50 engraved)



19-1 Two tone (not the greatest pic's)

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

bamabiker:

"I appreciate all the pics but these early ones are the ones I was really looking for. I just don't remember physically seeing a pre 19 or a M19 or even a M19-1 for sale. I've only seen a couple of -2s that I remember and one of those had been re-nickeled.
I should have ask in my first post, for the ones that have the pre 19s with target grips, is the serial number stamped in the right grip panel?
The reason I ask is I have a set of grips with an early CM serial number stamped in them. Was wondering if most came this way. "

You're right the 19s & 19-1s don't come around for sale very often. When they do, they're pounced on. I think BUFF has it right: "when an owner decides to sell his, it often goes to a shooting buddy, with no advertising involved."

I've heard, too, that some of the early CMs had the S/N stamped inside the target stocks. Alas, mine are bare. I've got to get it lettered someday, to find out how it really shipped.

In any event - enjoy the gun. The .357 Combat Magnum is among S & W's finest offerings.

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Mitch
SWCA 2438

Out of curiosity ... what is the serial number on the grip panel? Walnut or rosewood?

Another question for the experts... What is the serial number cut off for unnumbered to Mod. 19 stamping

Thanks,
~Bill

I don’t know if they all did, or even most, but at least a few of the ones I have seen did have the serial number stamped in the right panel. Mine does.

It’s definitely not the prettiest one around but I think it spent a lot of time as Mr. Bill Jordan, being carried in a holster. Mechanically it is excellent and one heck of a shooter that I can enjoy taking to the range. I’m sure glad I found this one instead of a pristine one!



Bill, Back in the day, when the grips were hand fit to the revolvers frame, they would stamp the guns serial number in the right grip panel so the grips for that revolver could be matched back up to it, before it shipped.
To the best of my knowledge the Combat Magnums never had Rosewood stocks. The first ones were Walnut which were followed by Goncalo Alves in about 1960.
That’s an interesting one to try and answer. There wasn't a clear line or serial number. The first Combat Magnums that were marked MOD-19 showed up in the K316xxx range but non-model marked Combat Magnum are seen all of the way into the K318xxx range and maybe beyond that.

I am well aware that almost all magnas and service grips were stamped with the serial number of the gun they were fitted to. I have not seen this to be true of all diamond targets. Of the two k frames I own with diamond targets, a CM and a 14-1, neither have the serial number stamped.

I was asking what the serial number was on his spare pair as it would be an interesting set of wood if the serial number was down in the 260XXX range.

Interesting on the serial number cut off. Mine is either 315 or 317XXX I'll have to check when I get home.

Thanks,
~Bill

I guess I completely misread your question, didn't I?!

I agree with you. Since the target grips were oversized and covered the frame, they didn't need to be fit.

I have a set with 260601 in them.

The number 260592 is stamped in the ones I have. That is close to yours snw19-357.
I did a thread with pictures back when I got them.

WOW! Some fantastic CMs and offspring!

OK, here's one shipped May of 56...serial K2615XX. And sure I would trade it, for one shipped in June of 56. I know, fat chance. This one came to me courtesy of a fine forum member, you know who you are..and thanks again.

At least some of the early Combat Magnums came with rosewood target stocks. One of my first partners carried a pre-model 4 incher with rosewood shoes for most of his career. I refinished them once for him.

Yes some stocks do come numbered. K260082

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"NUTS"

Pretty sure it is NIB...pre-19 Combat Magnum. It has been so long since it has seen daylight, I need to clean it up a bit and wax it....looks a little dirty/dull.

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	DSC00596.jpg (82.8 KB, 186 views)

Very impressive pics!! In a world of great firearms produced by many companies, the S&W Model 19 has a pedigree that will ensure its place in history. The research I did in 1977 that lead to my purchase of my CM was well worth it. I still have it, and it is still in great shape.

I have a model 19 no dash at home. The s/n lookup told me it was made in 58 or 59 i think. I got it to carry and shoot but it still looks OK. Sorry, I cant get pics up since it's at home and I'm in Afghanistan. I hope to get it worked on someday and fix the gap and endshake. Mostly I just carry it around for snakes, or the occasional rabid rabbit, may deer hunt with it too.

ive never even seen a CM or pre 19 for sale around here. i have a couple of 19 - ( notsure) laying around and 66es as well.

4 inch K magnum... for all around use, i think that could be be my 1 gun for rest of life if really pressed.

Now, Mike pulling out the granddaddy of them all. NICE.

Bill Jordan is the undisputed father of the CM and to have his personal CM.. now that is just something cool.
Again i say, Very Nice.

Here's a pic of my 19-3. Is it a combat magnum? What exactly does Combat Magnum mean? It sounds good. My 19-3 doesn't have fancy wood grips lika all of yours---at least, not yet. I'm thinking of getting some ahrends. Does it make sense to put brand new grips on an old used gun like this. This baby has some wear and is my faithful companion while hiking through the Sawtooth's of Idaho.

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	S&W 19-3.jpg (55.7 KB, 96 views)

ChefJeff...Combat Magnum is the name given to the revolver that also became the Model 19 in 1957. All S&W revolvers had names back in the 50s and 60s when they were introduced (for example, ".357" Magnum in 1935, 1950 Target 44 in 1950, 44 Magnum in 1956, 41 Magnum in 1964) and still carried the names after model numbers were assigned. Your 19-3 is a Combat Magnum.

Bill

Thanks Doc, I"ll shoot it a little more educated now. So, what is a distinguished Combat Magnum?

The 586 and 686 L-Frames are Distinguished Combat Magnums
I believe.
586L-Frame

Here are a few pics of my 586 & 686 4" L-Frames.

DLC’s 586 L-Frame 4”


DLC’s No dash 586 L-Frame 6” & 4” Distinguished Combat Magnums.


DLC’s S&W 686 L-Frame – Polished.






x

Pre-19 wearing a set of rosewoods:




Pre-19 with Diamond Targets and Original Box:

19-3. The tag mounted on the side says, DC0161,"667", "NYS DCS"
SN 2K34411

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"NUTS"

19-3 SN 10K5250

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"NUTS"

19-3 SN 2K31996

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"NUTS"

DWFAN,

I love those grips! Tell us more....

Thanks,

Jerry

Thanks for the good luck thread Greg............
here's the new 4 screw that I brought home today - my early Christmas Present!

That's a real nice CM Mike, and you gotta love that wood,Beautiful!

[QUOTE=VM;135741344]Thanks for the good luck thread Greg............
here's the new 4 screw that I brought home today - my early Christmas Present!

Congrats on that one. So now we know there are some early ones here in Bama.

Model 19-2 serial number K630003 was shipped in April 1966

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

I think i have 4 all together 2.5, 4 and 6 inch blue and 6 inch nickel (never out of the box new)

Congrats Mike! That sure is a fine Christmas gift

Merry Christmas to you.