19-1

[SPEEDGUNNER]

I have some questions regarding a 19-1 I just picked up locally. It was being offered on GB by a dealer local to me, and the pictures were not the best so I think that may have killed any interest from bidders. The gun had definitely seen some use, typical holster and carry wear, but it is tight and functions without issue. I have disassembled, cleaned, scrubbed, oiled and given the grips a drink and I am very happy with the results. It looks like a different gun.

I know the 19-1 saw a limited production run, some sources say one year, some say 1959-1961, my question is how many 19-1 revolvers were produced in total?

Here are some before pictures.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

And after:

 

[K Harris]

Great job on the cleanup! There is something quite special about the Model 19. They simply look like a revolver should.

 

[mrchick]

Nicely done. I'm surprised sellers don't do what you did before listing them.

 

[snw19_357]

...how many 19-1 revolvers were produced in total?

Nearly impossible to know. I've seen them as low as K422 and as high as K484 so that's well over 62,000 possible. But, there will be Models 14, 15, 17 and 18 in that range too.

 

[JP@AK]

This may not help a lot, but Model a 15-1 at K462509 shipped in January, 1962. All the -1 K target guns were in relatively short runs.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Why don't they clean guns before selling?

Nicely done. I'm surprised sellers don't do what you did before listing them.

I've never understood why sellers (whether at your local gun store, at a gun show, or online) don't clean the used firearms they're trying to sell. Are they lazy, or just figure that buyers don't care if the guns are left dirty? Maybe they don't want to take the time or pay the few bucks to have an employee clean the used guns. It drives me crazy to pick up a firearm and see that it's been left dirty and I can't really see its true condition...it makes me wonder what else may be wrong with it. When a seller wants to get as much money as possible for his wares, I would think that a quick cleaning would certainly help. At one time I considered buying a little air conditioned trailer and opening a mobile gun cleaning service. I figured I could make the rounds of local gun shops, and also hang out at some local gun shows on the weekends, and make enough money to at least cover my expenses. It would have been more of a fun hobby than a business. My wife ended up talking me out of it, but I still thought it was a good idea.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I am with you Hawg Rider. It drives me nuts when I see a dirty gun for sale in a shop or a show. When I sell a gun, it's as clean as I can possibly get it, much like cars and motorcycles.

 

[Truckman]

I am with you Hawg Rider. It drives me nuts when I see a dirty gun for sale in a shop or a show.

When I display at shows, the most commonly asked question is "Where do you find guns like this?"...The answer is simple - I don't find them like this...They look like this after I clean them, not before...I use the "before" condition to justify the price for which I offer to buy them...

And vice versa...

The second most asked question is "What do you use to wipe your guns down?"...Answer: a clean dry rag...After they're Renwaxed nothing else is needed for the occasional fingerprints...Oily rags just look smeared as the oil evaporates......Ben

 

[tlawler]

This may not help a lot, but Model a 15-1 at K462509 shipped in January, 1962. All the -1 K target guns were in relatively short runs.

I've got K455443, a 14-1. Shipped in Oct. 1961 if that helps the OP any.

 

[old bear]

Great job on the cleanup! There is something quite special about the Model 19. They simply look like a revolver should.

The Model 19's, "everything you need in a handgun, and nothing else."

 

[jmace57]

Nicely done. I'm surprised sellers don't do what you did before listing them.

I have probably bought 200 guns out of auctions, and 98% of them have been between filthy and uncleaned.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

To some people they are just a commodity, to be bought/sold/traded like a bushel of corn. To us they are things of beauty, artifacts of an earlier day, history. This 19-1 was no gem condition wise, had it been any other revision I probably would not have given it a second look. Knowing the short lifespan of the -1 I had to have it. It is a sickness I think...