19-2 trigger question

[Casamike]

A friend of mine asked me to do some research on a gun that his late father left to him. It is a 2.5" barreled model 19-2. He showed me some pictures of it, and the trigger is different than I have seen before. It is fairly wide, almost like a target trigger, but on both sides it has small piece, pinned to the trigger. The piece is the same shape as the trigger, but looks almost like a shield on either side of the trigger. What is this piece called? Was it common for that model and era? What function did it serve?

I am also curious what value it should bring in the current market? It is a pristine model, no turn line, and is believe to be unfired. The blueing is perfect and has original grips. It comes with original box, as well as a holster and box of ammo, that is believed to have been originally purchased as a set. I would love to have this for myself, assuming that my friend doesn't want to keep it for sentimental reasons, but I want to be sure that I offer my friend a fair, current price for it.

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[Casamike]

Now, as soon as I post this, I realize that I likely posted it in the wrong section, my apologies for the mistake, and if a Mod could move it to the appropriate section, I would be very grateful. Thank you!

 

[Alk8944]

It is called a trigger shoe. It clamps onto the trigger with 2 small Allen set screws that take a .050 Allen wrench to tighten or remove. Used to be quite popular in the 1950s-60s as an alternative to installing a target trigger. The best ones were the "Flaig Ace". Unfortunately, when the screws are tightened enough to securely fasten the trigger shoe to the trigger the cupped ends of the screws leave two circles on the side of the trigger. The other often asked questions is "What are the two circles on the side of my trigger?"

 

[DWalt]

Trigger shoes were commonly seen on both handguns and rifles back in the day, especially among target shooters. If it's there, it's usually best to leave it alone. Although it's not so good for DA shooting.

 

[Casamike]

Thanks guys, I just found that to be an odd combination on a snubbie. Any ideas on value?

 

[peepaw]

Thanks guys, I just found that to be an odd combination on a snubbie. Any ideas on value?

The snubbie model 19 is very hot in todays gun market.
I have seen them go north of 2 grand on GB lately.
That being said I would think $900-$1000 would be a fair price in todays market.
Your friend could get much more on GB.

 

[Hapworth]

...Any ideas on value?

What you describe is collectible quality condition, and as a -2 is much less often found in that condition compared to later iterations.

The original, numbered box significantly increases value, but minus the original paperwork and cleaning tools this piece doesn't quite reach its full monetary potential -- but is still significantly close. The holster and the ammo are nice, and should get a touch extra in value, but ultimately are irrelevant for final price.

Peepaw's dollar assessments are about spot on; the lower end would reflect something closer to a buddy price, and I can easily see it fetching much more at auction given the increasingly high numbers we're seeing lately.

I'd suggest that if you're buying to invest in a collectible, pursue a deal with your friend; if you're looking for something to shoot more than just a very little, save your money and find one of the many later iteration 19 snubbies out there with more use on them -- they're great shooters, you'll probably save a chunk of change, and you won't be diminishing a collectible.

 

[peepaw]

We'd need to know more on its condition and ideally see pictures to give reasonably accurate assessments. The -2 snubbies are less common than subsequent iterations and increase their value a bit, but the sale price difference between an average shooter, gun alone, and a collectible quality specimen with correct box, tools and docs is huge.

He stated in his original post that it was about perfect with box.
Pictures are always welcome though.

 

[Hapworth]

He stated in his original post that it was about perfect with box.
Pictures are always welcome though.

How did I miss that?

Thank you. Revisiting my previous post...

 

[Casamike]

Thanks guys, I believe that is going to end up keeping it, as from the pictures he showed me, it does appear to be collector grade. I can't own a gun and not shoot it, much like a little kid with his toys. I knew values on these had gone up dramatically in the last couple years and I just want to be sure that my friend knows the real value of it, so that if he does decide to part with it, he at least gets a nice chunk of cash for it.

Thanks a bunch!