To the experts here what would the current fair price on a high condition 4” 19-3 blue be-just the revolver? I have been offered one but neither of us are sure what a price would be, thanks.
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What price was quoted to you?
In California, $900 to well over $1000.Out west, most would be priced between $650 to $850 with OEM targets.
Just want to add afew tidbits for my fellow Model 19 enthusiasts, the 19's made prior to 1970 used the old process of pinning the front sight ramp to the barrel after it was blued or nickeled, my assumption is that pinning the ramp on after blueing removed the risk of trapping blueing salts under there that could cause finish issues later.
19-3's and above made after 1969 have the ramp as an integral part of the barrel this includes all Model 66's which were introduced just after the change.
Basicly this makes the pre 69 Model 19 more like its ancestors, the other big thing is that if you are ever lucky enough to find a nickel 19-3 made prior to 1970 it should have the old style blue ramp with proud fs pins, they exist but are not commonly encountered.
The other neat thing about the older 19-3 is that it has the old style large ampersands on the frame and the older barrel roll stamps.
When comparing a 19-3's fit n finish from say 1968 to one made in say 1974 you will notice the older ones have more attention to fit n finish and seem to be polished better, this includes the stocks from that era but is of course a generality and just IMO.
Last thing is that while the SCSW hints that the 19-4 revision was moving the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder it makes u assume that all the old 19-3's had it on the yoke which does not appear to be true.
In comparing my own 19-3's it appears to have briefly moved from the cylinder to the yoke in the early mid 70's then moved back.
IOW the majority of 19-3's (and all previous revisions) should have the gas ring on the cylinder.
Bottom line keep your eyes peeled for nickel 19-3's with blue ramps and when cleaning your 19-3 take note if the gas ring is on the yoke or cylinder.
The front sight post on my M19-3 is pinned in place and the SN puts it in 1974 production (7K12168). The pin is difficult to see but is definitely there.Just want to add afew tidbits for my fellow Model 19 enthusiasts, the 19's made prior to 1970 used the old process of pinning the front sight ramp to the barrel after it was blued or nickeled, my assumption is that pinning the ramp on after blueing removed the risk of trapping blueing salts under there that could cause finish issues later.
19-3's and above made after 1969 have the ramp as an integral part of the barrel this includes all Model 66's which were introduced just after the change.
Basicly this makes the pre 69 Model 19 more like its ancestors, the other big thing is that if you are ever lucky enough to find a nickel 19-3 made prior to 1970 it should have the old style blue ramp with proud fs pins, they exist but are not commonly encountered.
The other neat thing about the older 19-3 is that it has the old style large ampersands on the frame and the older barrel roll stamps.
When comparing a 19-3's fit n finish from say 1968 to one made in say 1974 you will notice the older ones have more attention to fit n finish and seem to be polished better, this includes the stocks from that era but is of course a generality and just IMO.
Last thing is that while the SCSW hints that the 19-4 revision was moving the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder it makes u assume that all the old 19-3's had it on the yoke which does not appear to be true.
In comparing my own 19-3's it appears to have briefly moved from the cylinder to the yoke in the early mid 70's then moved back.
IOW the majority of 19-3's (and all previous revisions) should have the gas ring on the cylinder.
Bottom line keep your eyes peeled for nickel 19-3's with blue ramps and when cleaning your 19-3 take note if the gas ring is on the yoke or cylinder.