Rare but there; Model 19 fixed sights

Andyd · May 1, 2017

A rare civilian S&W M19-3, 3" with fixed sights. A factory overrun of the RS model.

muddocktor · May 1, 2017

Nice find. I take it that you own it?

blackdeuce · May 1, 2017

Interesting. I hadn't heard of those.

Andyd · May 1, 2017

It was built for the French GIGN when Raymond Sassia was in charge of weapons procurement. It came from the estate of an old friend who always borrowed my S&W 14-2 and six inch Python to win competitions with them. He only owned revolvers with two to four inch barrels but was an outstanding marksman.

The issued police guns had RS in the serial, I believe, for Raymond Sassia.

BAM-BAM · May 1, 2017

"There" yes...... but very very few "here"!!!!

I always think of those as "early Manly Smiths"!

Andyd · May 1, 2017

BAM-BAM said:
"There" yes...... but very very few "here"!!!!

I always think of those as "early Manly Smiths"!

I love fixed sight K-frames and this one is as perfect as it gets.

BAM-BAM · May 1, 2017

Andyd said:
I love fixed sight K-frames and this one is as perfect as it gets.

Yep.....have to agree......... as the owner of 3" 65s and 66s...... I'd love that gun or a "Non-Lady Smith" 65.

old bear · May 1, 2017

Andyd said:
I love fixed sight K-frames and this one is as perfect as it gets.

I fell into this one a year or so ago.

Absalom · May 1, 2017

These are VERY sought-after by collectors here.

We had a thread about the French contract here not too long ago.

French contract Model19-3 Anybody have one?

If you scroll down that one a bit, someone posted a copy of a history letter.

PS: Interesting guy, Sasia. I believe in picture 1 he is holding a Colt OP. In picture 2, he appears to be teaching how to shoot an Uzi while pooping in the woods

KSDeputy · May 1, 2017

I would buy one of those in mint condition. I am looking for a model 65 in mint condition, but that would do as well. It would be nice if someone made an insert to convert the rear adjustable sight, to a fixed sight on any revolver with the rear sight just screwed on. I am only interested in stainless revolvers, but the rear sight can be blued.

Jack Flash · May 1, 2017

Blued, fixed sight, 3" shrouded barrel, round butt, K-Frame, in a magnum caliber. Sign me up for one!

sandspur6 · May 1, 2017

I guess you could make one with a model 13 and model 19 barrel. Just cut the 19 barrel to 3 inches and install a model 13 front sight. Wouldn't be the same as an original but would look and shoot like one. Good winter project. Jus sayin.

Lee's Landing Billy · May 1, 2017

old bear said:
I fell into this one a year or so ago.

This guy is hiding a K frame ladysmith too. Stainless, 3 inch, enclosed ejector rod. Yes, it is a great shooter!

19leben · May 1, 2017

Is that the same Raymond Sassia that was President Charles de Gaulle's bodyguard?

I'd love to have one of those RS guns. Love the 3", would go great with a Model 58 and 520.
I do however have a model 65 3", not-LadySmith. And a 3" Mod 650 in .22 WRM.

Congrats on the coolest acquisition I've seen in quite a while.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Nedroe · May 1, 2017

The Winter Project.........

Sandspur6 spoke of looks like this.

I made it a few years ago. I'm old & too impatient to wait for a real one.

Ned

Texas Star · May 1, 2017

old bear said:
I fell into this one a year or so ago.

Fred-

I think your gun was made for Peru.

The French ones were used by the Presidential security men, called the Hunting Party or some such. But GIGN may well have had some, too. They have a very wide choice in handguns.

When Jan Stevenson was writing for, Guns, he discussed these French guns and Raymond Sasia.

I think GIGN replaced their K-framed S&W .357's with MR-73's, which stand up MUCH better to HEAVY use of full .357 ammo.

Absalom · May 1, 2017

19leben said:
Is that the same Raymond Sassia that was President Charles de Gaulle's bodyguard?

......

Yep. Wrote a book about it, which would make interesting reading, although my French is too inadequate. He was still around as recent as 2012 (photo).

Andyd · May 2, 2017

19leben said:
Is that the same Raymond Sassia that was President Charles de Gaulle's bodyguard?

I'd love to have one of those RS guns. Love the 3", would go great with a Model 58 and 520.
I do however have a model 65 3", not-LadySmith. And a 3" Mod 650 in .22 WRM.

Congrats on the coolest acquisition I've seen in quite a while.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Yes, that is him. He later procured Ruger Revolvers and got Manurhin to produce Rugers Sixes under license, then the MR73s were developed for Police use and succeeded by the MR96, the ugly duckling.

Slidemuzik · May 2, 2017

Fascinating.

old bear · May 2, 2017

Fred-

I think your gun was made for Peru.

Jim, you are correct. I don't know if anyone was able to open the "screen shot" of the Jinks letter I posted. But, that clearly states the 4" revolvers were ordered by Peru. The one I have was an overrun and sent to Westco in Germany, and finally made it's way back to the states.

Rare but there; Model 19 fixed sights

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