Model 19-3 questions

[Bryon617]

New to the forum...So as everyone who starts here has a question. I have these two 19-3. Both have box and papers with them and is say in good-vg condition. What's the value on something like these? They are both pinned and recessed. One actually from 1974 has the original form when purchased brand new in 1974 from a store in Cleveland to a police officer. Also one set of stocks are noticeably lighter than the other. Curious what that's about

[JP@AK]

Hi and welcome!

Nice 4" Combat Magnum revolvers!

All Model 19-3 had pinned barrels and counter-bored charge holes. Those were not eliminated until c. 1982, and by then the 19-4 variant was current.

The lighter color stocks are walnut; the darker pair are made of Goncalo Alves.

[Bryon617]

Thanks for the reply

[mauser9]

Nice pair. Bought a snubby back in 1978. Cost new was around $180 back then.

[Bryon617]

The receipt was for like 150 $ I believe on the one that was bought new in 74

[Bryon617]

That's pretty sweet still having a revolver you purchased 40 years ago

[gmborkovic]

We refer to the light colored grips as "pallet wood".

[k22fan]

Unless there is wear that does not show up in your pictures both are better than VG condition. Good allows some pitting or rust and VG allows finish wear. They appear to be excellent to like new.

I think both have the Model 19's standard goncalo alves stocks just cut out of boards that were different shades of orangish brown. The old joke was how does S&W get goncalo alves? The faller in South America walked to the closest tree still standing then instead of hollering timber he hollered goncalo alves. When they were fitted with Target Stocks walnut was standard for less expensive revolvers like Models 14 and 15. Walnut does not have the orangish tint. On the other hand, I can not say for sure either one is not walnut and I've been wrong before.

I'm just as unsure about the values of as new in box S&Ws but I'd expect them to be $600 to $700 in local gun stores.

[Bryon617]

Yea there is no pitting or holster wear of sort. Does the box and paperwork really add any value? Also serial number matches the box obviously

[Jtown]

In my area 19 -3's in that condition with the original box sell for $800 to $900 . Nice guns
Walt

[Bryon617]

Here's the 4473... Pretty neat. 150$

[Bryon617]

I do have a question. I have a gentleman telling me the grips aren't original on the lighter one. Do they mark the back of the grips with identifying marks

[jebstuart]

Ditto on $800 - $900 for these in AZ. Here, the box adds $100 roughly. Different areas vary the value widely - don't know where you are.

[Bryon617]

I'm here in central ohio

[k22fan]

Target Stocks were not normally serial numbered to match the revolver. My Model 66 no dash has Target Stocks that have the same light orange without darker contrasting grains. I do not have its serial number handy but it has the 66's original all silver sights so it is from around the same time. I see no reason to suspect the lighter stocks are not original.

[Doc44]

The stocks are made of Goncalo alves. This wood varied greatly from very dark with lots of figure to near blonde with no figure. The stocks are your 19-3s are normal and original. I have 44 Magnums with the same type of variation in the wood used to make the stocks. There may be a part number stamped on the underside of the stocks. Some were stamped KT-357. Many pairs have nothing stamped on the underside.

Bill

[mauser9]

Originally Posted by Jtown

In my area 19 -3's in that condition with the original box sell for $800 to $900 . Nice guns
Walt

That figures! If it is worth big bucks now I probably owned it and sold or traded like an idiot. Tough lesson learned. LOL

[Vom Brunhaus K9]

Bryon , mine is a snub 2 and a half bought in mid 70s in blue. I had gun nickel plated and added Rosewood finger grips . My local dealer I can remember had 2 , one 4 inch and one snub nose. New with boxes were priced at $599 each . I value my nickel gun @ $1,000 . Its an eye catcher and accurate for a snub .

[JP@AK]

I certainly agree that both GA and walnut can be found with different colors. There is no question about that.

In this case, I'm not ready to concede that the lighter pair are GA. I just don't see the sort of grain in them normally associated with GA. I still believe they are walnut. If so, they may not have come on that gun, since GA targets were standard on the Combat Magnum.

But I, too, have been wrong a few times in my life.

Someone else already said this, but no, target stocks were not numbered to the gun like the Magna style stocks were. Some of the very earliest examples were, but quickly S&W realized it was unnecessary because targets did not need to be fitted to each frame.

[telh74]

I would agree here in Florida 800 to 900 is the going rate for model 19 in the box in that condition

[viceunit]

I bought my first 28-2 and 19-3 from that very store in/around 1976. Shopped/drooled there often. Sadly, no longer there.

I paid $140 for the 28 (no longer have it) and $165 for the 2 1/2" 19-3, which I still have.