Hi there,

I'm new to this forum and am up to date on current models.
However, my Grandfather left me several (S&W and Colt)
of his pistols this past year and I'd like to try and identify
them as I have no idea about the older models.

I see that there are some different sections for different
year ranges. I'm quite certain these two will fall in to this
range as he retired from the force in the late 60's / early 70's.

I have listed another one in pre 1961 that is .32 in case you
like this type of detective work.

Any help would be greatly appreciated..... once identified,
I'd also like to get a set of original grips for the .357

Here's what I know about the .38 Special:
When dropping the Cylinder I see a Stamped N, then below
that it is stamped 774XX, On the Butt it is Stamped C 437XX

Here's what I know about the .357:
When dropping the Cylinder I see stamped K7776XX and below
it stamped MOD 19-2, On the Butt it is Stamped K7776XX

Thank you from a Beginner trying to learn....

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The snubby is a pre Model 10 from the 50's, the 19-2 is what it is a 19-2.

The numbers with the letter prefix are your serial numbers.

Someone with the book handy will be along soon to provide shipping date estimates based on the serials but right now I can tell you you've got an earlier 2" Military and Police and a 6" Combat Magnum, two great classic S&W revolvers. That's a nice vintage Lewis holster with the snub gun and the stocks on the Model 19 look like Herrett's customs.

__________________
SWHF #448

Both are very nice handguns. Don't let someone talk you into trading them for a Glock or something.

Your 2" pre-Model 10 Military & Police C437XX likely shipped in early 1949 and your 6" Model 19-2 Combat Magnum K7776XX likely shipped in early 1968. Only a factory letter would provide an exact ship date since the factory did not ship in s/n sequence.

Two excellent Smith & Wessons . . . enjoy and treasure them.

Russ

C43,7xx would be very early 1949. The 2" Military & Police Model is highly sought after (the shorter the barrel the more folks want it). This gun becomes the Model 10 in 1957.

K777,6xx would be from 1967. The Model 19 is also called the Combat Magnum. Another popular model.

Both of these are built on the K frame. Both have the square butt frame configuration.

Was grandpa a cop at some point? A 6" M19 with an M&P snubby backup sounds like what a well heeled police officer would carry in the 1960s or 1970s.

__________________
No life story has happy end.

Bucheimer holster says cop.

Your 2" snubby M&P would be called by many collectors as a pre-Model 10. That simply means that the exact same gun took on the name of "Model 10" about 1957. Snubbies are of high interest to collectors, more so than other barrel lengths.

A couple of highly desirable revolvers, real gems. Hang onto them and enjoy them!

__________________
Oh well, what the hell.

Thank you and Everybody for such detailed information.
What a great place here! So fast to respond too!

As for my Grandpa.... Indeed, Retired LAPD in that time frame.
Funny thing is, he has about the same setup for Colt. I just
joined the Other Forum to see if they can help me findout a
bit more about those ... His Colt setup consisted of one that
just says COLT 357 and a .38 Spcl COBRA. The Cobra is in the
Box and the 357 is Holstered (Looks Really Old). He left me
several 1911's and a few Hammerless .380 Nickels.

I hope the guys over there are as Helpful as all of you have been.

Thanks again for sharing your Knowledge.
Much appreciated!

By the way, do these S&W's have any value on today's Market?
If so, what types of numbers being that they are used?
Just curious ... Would never get rid of them.

Here's a few pictures for taking your time to assist me.
These Revolvers Mean a lot to me!

@ -db-,
You were right .... the Holster says LEWIS L.A. CAL Police Special
and the Grips for the .357 do have a tag inside that says Herrett's

Where would be the best place to locate the correct / original
type grips for the .357?



Looks like some Oil & Age got to the Label but you can still make it out!




Thanks again!

Quote:
By the way, do these S&W's have any value on today's Market?
If so, what types of numbers being that they are used?
Just curious ... Would never get rid of them.

Of course they have value.
I have a pre 10 snub from about 1950 in worse shape than yours and a 19-3, 4" in really nice shape. I've also been buying pre owned S&W revolvers for several years. I don't think I'll be selling my guns anytime soon, but from a shopper's perspective:
If your guns are sound, mechanically, and if I were looking to purchase them, I think that any price up to $400.00 would be a good deal (for me) for the pre model 10 (the stocks may be numbered to the gun). The model 19-2 6" with Herrett's stocks (look like Jordan Troopers) would be a good deal (for me) for any price up to $650.00.
Perhaps others will have comments.
George

First off, nice revolvers, very nice indeed.

To find grips, you will probably have the best luck right here, on this forum, but in the classified section. The vast majority of folks here are straight up good people, and checking their feedback will prove or disprove this.

You will want what are called "Target Stocks" or "Target Grips." To be a perfect match in vintage, you will want target grips that have a 'Diamond' of uncheckered wood surrounding the screw. These are often called "Diamond Target Grips." The price might shock you if you're new to this, but if you change your mind you can easily get your money back out of them.

Good luck, and welcome!

if the colt just says 357 magnum, then that's what the model is. these days quite desirable. they used the same frame as the later python. the 357 magnum was colts top end magnum revolver in the 50's. the cobra is a lightweight detective spl. a cobra was used by jack ruby to murder lee Harvey Oswald, the person the government killed president JFK. the cobra is a 38 spl. gun that should not be used with plus p ammo. should be close to accurate off the top of my head with out research.

If Grandpa carried that Model 19 as a LAPD officer, why change from the very nice Herrett's grips that he put on it? He thought that these grips were an upgrade from whatever grips came on the gun. They are excellent grips and many officers prefered them to the stock grips from S&W.

Frank

Thanks again Everybody for all of the Info....
Indeed I will be leaving the Herrett's Grips on as they are very Comfortable
but was curious about how hard it would be to find originals...

Take care & I'll let you know how they shoot once cleaned up.

Terry

You guys are Great Here!

You could post up the Colts as well, many knowledgeable guys here more than happy to help out.

Welcome to the FORUM! I myself would not mess with the grips on the Snubbie except cleaning & waxing them. There are grips for sale in the classifieds. Nice grips can be found on ebay. You need to look at pics well & read descriptions too. All of my revolvers have target grips on them. It is what works for me. If you like the grips on the snub, go for magnas. See if anyone you know, or local gun shop has a K Smith with targets on it, so you could tell if they work for you. You can't have too many sets of grips! Enjoy your new revolvers! Bob

T-Bodz, you mentioned in your second post (about the Colts) that the 357 was holstered. I don't think anyone who responded mentioned that guns should not be stored in holsters. The chemicals used in tanning leather can adversely affect the finish. Yours may have been in the holster a long time and hopefully doesn't show damage from it. However, I've seen many guns over the years which definitely were negative affected by long term storage in holsters. The Colts sound nice and will definitely have value; likely more than the S&Ws.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Welcome to the forum from here in CT, T-Bodz.
Very nice revolvers, indeed.
Cherish them, but have fun shooting them too!
I just recently found a 19-3 myself. It's gonna be a blast (pun intended) trying it out.