I have a .357 magnum given to me and I wanted to find out just a few things if anyone out there could help me. I noticed that all the other info I have looked at shows the "K" series numbers with a #in front of the K - like "3K46538". My gun however, has a number "K946333". I don't see (not stamped) a number prior to the K. It is a Model 19-3, nickel plated, 4" barrel with the diamond oak stock. Can anyone tell me:
1) why mine doesn't have a # in front of the "K" numbers,
2) how I can tell what year mine was manufactured,
3) what value should I put on it (for insurance purposes)?

Even though I have carried a gun and shot all types of guns all my life (more than 35 years), I really do not know very much about the gun itself. Being a "country girl" and a "redneck", I believe in ALWAYS protecting yourself and am pro-gun for all intensive purposes. (If we still used public hanging and the philosophy of "an eye for an eye", we probably would not have the crime, etc. that we have now.) Where I live, the people around here "shoot 1st, THEN ask you what you're doing on their property!" Needless to say, we don't have any crime to speak of.

Thank you for reading my questions and my sincerest thanks for any help you can provide.

Sincerely,
Crochetions (Kathy)

S&W started the K-series of serial numbers with K000001. When they ran out at K999999 the put a number in front of the K and did the sequence again. This happened in 1970. As time progressed they did this again with 2K, etc. As yours was made in the first run there is no number prefix.

That serial number was manufactured in late 1969.

Value will depend on condition; somewhere between $350-500 is my guess without seeing it.

I'm not familiar with the market in North Texas but, in my experience, a (pinned & recessed) 4" nickel Model 19-3 in serviceable condition would start at $500 . . . and go quickly to $750 in excellent condition. I would insure for $800 if it were mine.

Russ

Actually, they started with K1 (or it might have been K101 - I can't recall for sure). What they did not do is use a bunch of zeros in front of the serial number (after the K).

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

The model 19 started out as the Combat Magnum around 1955 and was given the model 19 designation in 1957 when Smith began the model numbers. Prior to 1957, the guns were just named. As the N frame already had .357 Magnum, Smith had to come up with something different.
The K series serial numbers started after WWll and were only on K frame revolvers. The Combat Magnum serial numbers were intermixed with the other K frame calibers. The first Combat Magnum was serial numbered K260000 or K260001.

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Model 19-3, K940639, was shipped in October 1971. Based on that, I would estimate your 19-3 shipped in 70-71.

Revolvers with a 1K and 2K serial number also date to 70-71.

The first Combat Magnum has serial number K260003, the lowest serial number for this model is K260001.

Bill