I have a chance to trade a 19-5 for an early 50s model 43. Neither revolver is in perfect shape but the 19 is better then the 43. The 43 has some blue wear at end of the barrel and a couple small scratches and the diamond grips aren't perfect. Thanks

Welcome to the forum.

If they were both about the same % of finish, the Model of 1955, pre model 43 is worth about the same as the 19-5. But the 43 is harder to find.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Welcome. Is there a model number stamped behind the yolk on the frame when you open the cylinder? If not, it is properly called a 22/32 Kit Gun Airweight. S&W did not start numbering models until 1957.

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

A 1954 Model 43 would be an insanely valuable gun. Collectors would climb over each other to throw cash at the owner. I believe it would surely be a one of a kind piece.

__________________
No life story has happy end.

It all depends....is it marked 43 - and is the "22/32 airweight" a snubnose? Is the 19-5 a snubnose? The 19-5 FWIW is not pinned and recessed, which takes down its appeal some compared to the previous model 19 variations. If the "43" is 95%, despite the wear, then I would do the trade to get the "43". The "43" should have diamond grips which number to the gun. Perhaps you could tell him you want the 43 and some cash and see what he says. It seems like the airweight guns are not often found in high condition.

__________________
}-----Jim----->
~SWCA #2732~

Now, now SP. The OP is probably unaware of when the model numbers were first used by S&W. He was probably using info provided to him by the Airweight's owner.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Ok it's not labeled as 43. It's a flat latch 22. It is a "pre 43"? It's ser. Number is 50xx. It's in pretty good shape with some holster wear. Looks like a nice "shooter"

johnthedennis,

With a Serial No. like that...(50xx)...the Pre-43 you're considering trading into is a "Very" Early Production .22/32 Airweight & Highly Desirable regardless of the Barrel Length!! Also...As previously mentioned...Should by chance it have a 2" Barrel...They're extremely scarce worth "Considerably" more than an Early Production Revolver with the Std. 3 1/2" Barrel Length!!

And as some others have mentioned...Should it be in Reasonably High Condition w/ Matching Grips...It retains a value much higher than the 19-5 you're being asked to trade!! So if it's being offered as a straight-up deal...Myself...I would do it before they change their mind...Just My Opinion!!

Of course Photos of both would be very helpful just in case your Condition Assessment is off a bit on either!!

__________________
Masterpiece

The trade for the pre model 43 is looking better and better: since their serial numbers started with #5000, its serial # 50XX means it was only the XX number built!

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

I made the trade! I shot the "new" 22 tonight. It is a pleasure! I will try to post some pics tonight. The last two didgits are under 50. Does that mean there are fewer then 50 older than mine?

I also noticed one of the grips has the ser. number engraved in it as well as the cylinder. Thanks for the advice, I enjoy shooting this one more than the 19

There are only 50 older than yours; # 5000 thru # 5049, or less if all of those 50 numbers weren't produced.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

johnthedennis,

Glad to hear you made the trade...You won't be disappointed!!

Also...As Hondo44 has already made mention...There's always the possibility fewer were built prior to Your Revolver's Serial No. given these were produced in the Same Serial Number Range as the Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Guns that preceded them!!

The deciding factor being how many Alloy Frames were Consecutively Serial-Numbered when the Initial Production started...Supposedly at Serial No. 5000...Which I've never been able to verify with any degree of certainty!!

__________________
Masterpiece

It may. It definitely means that there are fewer than 50 with a serial number lower, but we all know that guns do not necessarily ship in serial number order. Therefore, there could be examples that are "older" with "newer" serial numbers.

For what it is worth to help "age" 50XX, I have .22/32 Kit Gun Airweight Model of 1955 number 53XX that shipped December 3, 1954 to Holts Sporting Goods of Lubbock, Texas.

JudgeColt,

Very True...Should have known better to include that possibility when I posted...Thanks!!

__________________
Masterpiece

JudgeColt,

Thx for the clarification to the members. I should have said 50 or fewer with lower numbers, not older; I know better.

When we equate the terms older and shipped date, it can be more divergent than linear. And more likely the '1st shipped' usually means newer, not older.

As those familiar with the reality of S&W's process, often described as "1st in, last out" know, guns completed 1st go in the inventory vault 1st, and that S&W made no effort to ship them 1st. In fact the exact opposite can be true; the last into the vault are taken out 1st to ship. The faster 'movers' are less affected. The slower moving the particular model, the more blatant this disparity becomes.

Time and again we see models with early features appearing later in the market because they were shipped later although they were obviously produced earlier (and are older). Serial numbers tell us even less about production time, as we know, guns were not produced in serial number sequence which is corrupted earliest in the manufacturing sequence. But the features, i.e., older or updated parts tell us much more about production time. Of course the "1st in, last out" principle can also apply to assembly of parts to a lesser extant.

That's why there is a fundamental problem using shipping dates entirely to "age" guns. We use it of course because that's all that is available to most of us as supplied in the factory authentication letters. But floor production dates do exist to a degree, albeit not as readily available. These records reconcile with the gun's age and features far closer than do shipping dates. They are earlier in the process and precede the further corruption of assembly sequence due to the shipping process.

Therefore, we find ourselves with these tools to gauge the age, in order of probable accuracy:

Gun's features,
Production date (if it can be determined),
Shipping date,
Serial number.

As Roy often reminds us, S&W was in the business of moving product out the door, not building or shipping guns in sequential order for collectors.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Here is what your gun looked like when new, this one cost me about $600 a year ago.

Dang, that's a screamer!! And only $75.....you got a good deal!
I wonder when that sold at that price. It was cataloged at $70 in 1956. The box is not marked Model 43 so it must have been 1957 or 8, assuming the box is original to the gun.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Box is matching to the gun.