Looking for the history, if any, of my SW Model 19-3, .357 Magnum. Serial number K890214. Purchased around 1985 from a fellow USAF Fighter pilot in my squadron for $150. I will attach several pics. Interested in date of manufacture and any history if that info is available. I suspect it was a former state trooper's issued weapon at some time. It has a 4 inch barrel.

Thanks in advance for any help, assistance or opinions. No, it's not for sale, but curious what any of you think it is worth. I will probably pass it on to one of my descendants.

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$800 -$900

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Nice desirable piece of history, handled well and fed the right vitamins to see a long life.

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"Don't Give Up the Ship"

If it’s a former LE service revolver it sure doesn’t have much holster wear.

According to the SCSW book, p489, K848782-K946391 corresponds to 1969. K890214 is in the middle of that range.

Model number 19-3 started in 1967, and had diamond center grips until sometime in 1968, so that fits. Some guns were stamped with the name of the law enforcement agency or police department that issued them. (There are two pages of those references in the book) If you find a stamp of initials like that, someone may be able to tell you more.

Or pay for a "letter" that would tell you exactly when and to what agency the gun was sold.

Pete thanks so much for this info!!!!

Hey Pete one question......you said diamond center grips discontinued in 1968, but what do you call the grips on my handgun?? Those are not diamond center??? Little confused......thanks again!!

It is most likely NOT a former police weapon.

That was my profession for decades, and I can tell you this.....

I have NEVER seen a police weapon with a target hammer and target trigger.

The triggers in particular are lousy for double action shooting.

Now, I am sure someone will come along and question my sanity but if the existed at all, they were rare in police work.

Police revolver shooting was mostly centered on double action fire.

Not Pete, but your grips are called football targets

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That's a very nice M 19. Your football target stocks are likely original, since the diamond center was discontinued about 1968. Your dash 3 has recessed charge holes in the cylinder and a pinned barrel, considered a plus for collectors. Newer guns have neither. The M 19 was developed on the slightly smaller and lighter K frame than the heavier N frame M 27 & 28. Many people will say to shoot primarily .38's with occasional magnums, and to stay away from the hot 125 grain jacketed magnums. There are reports of cracked frames from that combination. You should be able to shoot all the 158 grain bullets your hands and wallet can survive. This is not a universal opinion and is endlessly debated here. It was originally named the Combat Magnum before model numbers were assigned about 1958. Still carries that designation, but the model number is most frequently used. Looks like it needs some exercise, which won't hurt value if care is taken.

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

I would never question your sanity (glass houses, you know), but I did encounter some and actually carried a 2" Colt Lawman MK III that came from the factory with a target hammer and smooth trigger. It shredded sport coat linings something awful. One of my colleagues carried his bull barreled pin gun on duty. It was a S&W in an approved caliber and barrel length, after all. Those grooved triggers were less than ideal for DA work, though.

I would concur that it is not ex-LEO on the basis of condition. Virtually no holster wear on a gun carried daily? I doubt it.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

I suspect you are confusing "diamond" with the checking. Yes, the effect of checking is to create tiny diamond shaped points within the checking border. But that isn't "diamond stocks." The latter term refers to stocks that have a smooth diamond shape in the middle of the checked pattern, around the screw hole. I have observed newcomers to S&W make this mistake before. It is just a matter of learning to understand the terminology.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I suppose I could have been more articulate.

I should have said that I have never seen a department issued revolver with the target hammer and target trigger.

Personal carry, anything went.

I actually knew a guy who used a Luger off duty.

BUT, he was kind of a flashy guy.

That was what I meant, yes.

Can't comment on the trigger and its use in law enforcement, but currently the wider target trigger and target hammer are worth a premium when found on some guns. Grips are easily swapped, hammers and triggers, not so much, so those are probably original.

Nice looking gun, in any case. I would be happy to own it.

Beautiful revolver, I, too have a M19-3 a few years newer than yours (1973-74). You may hear the term "3-T" referring to how your revolver is equipped: Target hammer, Target trigger, Target stocks. Very desirable combo. I've never seen one of these crack the forcing cone on a long diet of 125 grain magnum loads, but I suppose it might happen. Mine is my second M19, the first one was a dash 2 with a 6" barrel. In both guns, my preferred load is 125 grain JHP magnums, never had any issue. I also had a M66-1 (the stainless steel version of the M19) for a long time, and shot 125 grain magnums from it as well with no issues. You tend to get a bit less felt recoil with those loads (lighter bullet) and a great deal more velocity. The ballistics say they have more energy out to 25 yards than the 158 grain loads. I pretty much keep my loads in this gun limited to .38Spl +P now, I have a N frame .357 that I feed the heavy stuff.

Not to question your eyesight (but maybe my own), the O.P. revolver has a Combat (semi-target .375) hammer and narrow (.265) service trigger. Most service revolvers that I recall in the 70's & 80's were in this configuration. Fixed-sight (10's, 13's, ect) had narrow service hammer & trigger. Later on the smooth Combat trigger (.312) became prevalent.
My personal preference is the .375 hammer with smooth .312 trigger. I found this best for both DA/SA work. Your mileage may vary though.

That's a beautiful M19. Your biggest decision will be which ONE of your descendants would receive such a fantastic endowment.

My Model 19-3 shipped in May 1972. I have the original box which confirms that it was shipped with the Service Trigger, Semi-Target Hammer and Target Stocks, but has the plain black Baughman ramp front sight and plain rear sight blade.
I guess someone wanted more hand filling stocks than the standard Magnas but didn't care for a full 3T/RRWO configuration.

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Go ahead, I question it all the time. Bifocals can be fun that way.

I thought the OP had said that's what he had, my mistake. My M19-3 is a 3T, I have the original box.

My M28-2 is equipped with the smooth trigger and "3/4" target hammer. I really have no preference of hammer, between the target and .375 version, but I absolutely LOVE the smooth trigger, my favorite of all my revolvers, which have the wide target version.

+1. The trigger on my issued 28-2 (6” bbl) is just about the worst of all my S&W revolvers. I got used to it though, shot Master with it in the Academy (when they made us shoot with our gas masks on, no less). I never saw a target trigger, smooth trigger, or target hammer on an issued Model 28.

When we were given the opportunity to carry our personal revolvers, I carried my 19-4 (4” bbl w/ smooth trigger) for a few months but I could never warm up to it so I went back to my issued Highway Patrolman.

BTW, to this day I fire my S&W revolvers double action (& I CCW my Centennials).

The New York State Police issued M28s with the smooth .312" Ranger trigger.

"I guess someone wanted more hand filling stocks than the standard Magnas but didn't care for a full 3T/RRWO configuration."

Target grips were standard on the .357 Combat Magnum (Model 19).

When I started in law enforcement in 1976, for some reason a lot of my fellow deputies and police officers wanted target hammers and grooved target triggers on their revolvers. Parts were easy to find and not that expensive, so I swapped out a lot. I personally prefer the smooth .312" Ranger trigger, with the sides contoured, mated to a target hammer. I set up many of my duty revolvers that way.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

One thing I’ve learned, anything is possible when it comes to S&W revolvers.

A few observations,
First, your 19-3 would have the older style front site ramp base that is cross pinned to the barrel, around late 69 early 70 the fs ramp becomes integral with the barrel.
Second although the stocks are correct style non diamond center they are walnut and IIRC the four and six inch 19-3's of that era came standard with Goncalo Alves ( sometimes Rosewood) so were likely swapped or replaced.
As for LE handguns not having a wide tt/th that is not a hard rule, many depts had an acceptable model list and left the purchase up to the individual officer.
On a final note I have never seen a 19-3 that came with diamond target stocks.
Early stocks on 19-3's are unique in that they have the older style deep SS Escutcheons where by 1970 it had changed to shallow brass escutcheons.

Thanks to everyone who has commented here.....I learned that I really didn't know much about this handgun that I have owned for about 35 years!!!
I have no idea what kind of trigger or hammer is on the gun, I'm sure some of you could tell if I posted better pics; maybe I will do that.

But I'm really grateful for anyone who took the time to comment!!!

Thanks again, it was good to finally confirm the manufacture date.

I have come across this S&W 19-3, .357 and have some ideas but need help valuing this pistol. Has adjustable rear sight, also the trigger is of match quality/pull [light & short]. box says April 15,1955,, sn# 2K66828.

If more is needed please ask.

Thanks Tad

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2K66828 most likely shipped from S&W in 1972. It has a target hammer and trigger and target stocks made of Goncalo alves. I think the bright blue finish is in great shape, but needs cleaning to know for certain. I would value the revolver and box at approximately $900.

Bill

Tad
That is the date of the adoption of the liability & warranty statement printed on the inside of the box. It has nothing whatever to do with the date of the handgun itself.

Those two statements and the date remained in the boxes well into the Bangor Punta era - I have boxes from the mid-1970s that still have the April 15, 1955, date.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

My 19-3 from the mid-70s. Dad bought it for me when I was a senior in high school with my hard earned money. I recently got it back in my possession after having been stored by my Dad since I joined the Army in 76. Serial # 7K757--.

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Beautiful revolver, looks unused.
I would pay $900.

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V/r,
Markham

2nd Engine 49 guy's comment, many departments required Officers to purchase their own sidearm years ago. Not so much SP/HP departments.

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LEX ET ORDO

The OP has a very nice gun. However, if that was ever owned by a LE agency it never got issued. Whoever owned it it was never a duty weapon. I'd like to have it. All of my old duty weapons are all beat up.

In that era, in my part of the world, double action range fire was at 3 and 7 yards. Also officer required to furnish their own service revolver might have purchase what was available. Model 19s were difficult to find.

Around here, both 19s shown in this thread would go for north of $1,000. I see no wear on either, and if that’s actually the case I’d say $1,250ish.

As to the target triggers and hammers: The USAF issued model 15 revolvers with target hammers and triggers exclusively.

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ask questions- then shoot!