19-3 Help

[bryan87]

I put an ad up in WTB for a 19-3 6" bbl blued M19 and received an offer of a beautiful M19 in LNIB condition. Price is reasonable and the gentlemen is a forum member which makes me feel better than going with GB.

The only hitch is an owner in the past carved his/her social security number into the butt of the frame! It comes with what would seem to be original stocks but no box/papers. The price is $550. I am trying to determine how much the carving devalues the gun.

Also, any help dating would be appreciated. SN#: 4K81275.

Thanks in advance!

 

[OFT II]

The bad news is that it was done. The good news is that the grips will cover it. I don't know how much it would change the value. As a shooter it would not bother me at all.

 

[txbirdman]

A guy did the same thing to a 19-3 4" I have. While it aggravates me that it's done it doesn't change the way my revolver functions so I live with it. Mine is much worse that this one in that he also put his name on the frame right under the football of the football grips. This limits what grips I can use on my gun. The real question is "what's this gun worth to you". Someone will buy that gun at that price either now or sometime in the near future.

 

[Ashlander]

Along with all the manufacturer's marks under the grips it would never occur to me to be bothered by a SS number where nobody will ever see it. It would make no difference to me whatsoever if I were buying the gun as a shooter (the only way I buy guns).

That said, from the photos it is not like new in the box -- lot's of little scratches on the cylinder and a distinct drag line (and no box!). I'd offer $475 (and that's generous).

 

[Doc44]

Not a big deal to me. I have several 44s with SSNs on the frame.

Bill

 

[1sailor]

It's not always easy to tell from pictures what is really there with regards to scratches and nicks. I bought a pistol from a member that showed the topstrap to have several noticable nicks. When the gun arrived I could not find any evidence of them. So, even though there is obviously a slight drag line those other marks may not be there. I have no interest in the sale and I'm not trying to defend it's condition, I'm just saying.

 

[old bear]

Sir, you might want to do the seller a favor, if you can, and cover up most of his S/S number on the last picture.

 

[C Islander]

I's a shame that it was done. To teach the original owner a lessen, use it to steal his idenity!

 

[CelticSire]

It comes with what would seem to be original stocks but no box/papers.

If there's no box, then it can't be in LNIB condition. It might be in Like New condition, but not LNIB.

 

[bryan87]

If there's no box, then it can't be in LNIB condition. It might be in Like New condition, but not LNIB.

Fair enough. I am still getting familiar with all the terminology.

Thank you for the quality feedback all around.