Got a call from a friend who knows I like different kinds of items. He has what sounds like a Pre Model 19, Reverse Pinto. --Nickel frame, Blue Cylinder, Blue Barrel. I had him check the grip frame, there is an N there. Matching #'s on the barrel, frame, back of the cylinder & extractor. The weird part is it's in the K 318xxx Ser. # Range an not model marked (Pre 19) Also, it now carries non diamond target stocks, which I know are later. I will get to see it next week.-- Any other clues as to what to look for to determine if it's real?

A factory Letter will probably be the your best bet...but they are running about 20 weeks right now

That's what I figured, But I think he want's to sell it now, and won't have time to get it lettered. We didn't discuss price, so if I did consider buying it, It would have to be assuming it is non-factory. He is knowledgeable on finishes, and thinks it looks non-refinished & the number's do match, I was thinking they were stamping Model #'s by then.

Reach out to Engine49guy he is the resident 19 expert...He might be able to help

The frame should have an N stamped in the lower left hand corner (stocks have to be removed to see it).

Bill

Thanks Doc, It does have the N on the grip frame, although he said it wasn't a "Large" N , but a smaller one.

it should look similar to this one from a 4 screw model 19

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Can anyone verify if a K 318xxx Serial Number could be a Transitional Range between Model marked and a Pre Model--- (19 in this case)

My pre-19, reverse pinto is ser. # K264294... 4 -screw and it letters shipped 1/23/58..
Hope this helps!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JIM....................

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SWCA # L-1911

Puts it to 1958...The Pre 19 ended in 1957 I believe, but that doesnt mean they didnt ship later...anything possible with Smith and wesson..Your serial is a very early 58..So I imagine it is correct..

Hope this helps

Sounds like you might have the real thing...Jim has one that is a little earlier serial than yours but shows 1958..So I would imagine the serial number of yours is correct for a pre 19...

Now what are you waiting for...Go get it!!

Thanks all, The one I'm looking at is a four screw, non model marked. Just trying to get all the information I can in lieu of a factory letter.

If the gun in question looks like one of these jump
on it like a duck on a june bug.



Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

10-4 Chuck, I won't get a chance to see it till next week. I'll let you guys know what I find.

They were as K3166xx is model marked

But, there are also an awful lot of non-model marked Combat Magnums in the K316, K317, and K318's.
Think they just weren't used to stamping the model numbers yet.

Can I get seconds if you decide against buying?

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Thanks for the compliment Jim but Bill and Chris SNW19 are the resident 19 experts here IMO....ha ha

The K318 is probably a little too late to have a serial numbered cylinder or barrel but while waiting for a factory letter check the underside of the extractor star for a matching serial number as they continued stamping it there .
All of the Combat Magnums and Model marked 19's that I just checked have a matching serial stamp under the extractor star up to K543000.

I know of two K22s in the k300xxx-310xxx range that have numbered bbls and cylinders. Both non model marked, Rarer options, one shipped in Jan 58. Maybe some special assembled stuff got marked, and they still did some fitting.

I have a pre 29 4screw, mid 58 shipment. Mod is not marked, the cylinder is not numbered, but the barrel shroud is numbered. I think any gun in the 1957 - 58 range could have shipped with or without model marking, cylinder marking, bbl shroud markings. We are all making educated guess here. You're going to have to make a gut call and buy or walk. If you buy and its not original you'll get over it. Walking on an original pinto, hmm ....

Charlie

Just because I can:

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Dave

Dave, that's my eye-deel!

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Halfway and one more step

Excuse my post as my brain just isnt processing info in a normal fashion after 24 hours on shift no sleep ...

Yes non model marked guns exist in this serial range,
I have Non Model marked Combat Magnum serial K317946 that shipped in May 1958 , serial on the cylinder but not on the barrel .

Some members here have Pintos of similar vintage but short of a factory letter not so sure there is any definitive proof on the gun that it left the factory a Pinto.

If the price is reasonable its a good buy either way , Of course its a much better deal if it did ship as a Pinto even though its the same gun either way...

Good luck and keep us posted.

The pintos are way cool. The only Combat Magnum pinto that I have is a 19-1...

BTW: K318014 also not model marked.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Does S&W offer expedited letter's ( at additional cost ) like Colt, or is it just send in your request, and wait your turn in the rotation?

1st come, 1st served

Nope,You wait in line like everybody else.