1968 Model 19-2

[Road Rat]

Well, I had nothing to do today so I headed out to Davenport for the gun show!!!

Looky what I found!!

I can't get enough of Walnut and Blue Steel..........

 

[Engine49guy]

Very nice Combat Magnum, Is it marked 19-2 ?
Do you mind if I ask the serial prefix as 1968 was supposedly already in the dash 3 revision but anything is possible.

Our member SNW19 collects serial numbers and charts features on the ultimate CM thread.

 

[Road Rat]

Engine49guy,

Yep, it is marked on the crane MOD 19-2 and the S/N begins with K793xxx.

I'm just going by what the dealer told me as to the date.

BJ

ps

It seems the 19-3's came about in 1967?? Guess I need to chase down the serial number but it appears that I have a 1966.......

19-2 (1961): Cylinder stop changed, delete triggerguard screw.
(1963): Introduce 6" barrel.
(1963): 50 manufactured with 2.5" barrel, serial range K544672–K544721.
(1966): Introduce 2.5" barrel as standard.
19-3 (1967): Relocation of rear sight leaf screw.
(1968): Delete diamond-insert grip.

 

[Engine49guy]

The dealer is correct on the DOB according to the SCSW,
The difference between the 19-2 and dash 3 is the location of the rear leaf site mounting screw but "Transitional" guns are a common occurrence and 68 is very close to the dash 3 changeover and change from diamond Magnas to non diamonds.
BTW I dont recall where but heard or read somewhere there was a rumour going around at that time that there would be a ban on production of revolvers with shorter than 4" barrel ,
Makes sense kinda when you consider the GCA of 68 had just been implemented banning many short barrel firearms from importation.
Very nice CM thanks for sharing it,

 

[Road Rat]

I appreciate the updated information.

Now to get the rain out of my area so I can hit the back yard tomorrow to check it out.

For being over 40 years old it is in fantastic condition!!

 

[SixgunFife]

I appreciate the updated information.

Now to get the rain out of my area so I can hit the back yard tomorrow to check it out.

For being over 40 years old it is in fantastic condition!!

Awesome find, congrats!

And I have to say...you get to shoot directly in your back yard? Sweet!

 

[Road Rat]

Awesome find, congrats!

And I have to say...you get to shoot directly in your back yard? Sweet!

Sure do. We have 14 acres about a mile out of town. I put in a shooting bench and target backstops at 25, 50, and 75 yards. Use mostly .22's as it is near the house. Down by the pond there is a large hill of dirt from when the pond was dug many years ago...I use that for handgun and shotgun shooting.

Drop by any time!!!

 

[Plstu]

Love it! My model 19 is one of my best shooters. Thanks for the pic.

 

[mr.jbk79]

Congrats on your 19, I can't get enough of those 2 1/2 combat magnums. I too have a 19-2 from 1968 in 4". The grips are a bit later than the gun itself. This one also has the earlier rearward mounted sight screw. The fit/finish on these 19's are really superb.
Many thanks to fellow member snw19 for his wonderful knowledge, and for how great his "ultimate CM" thread is.

 

[A10]

Nice find! I've got a -3, and it is an amazing shooter!

 

[snw19_357]

Beautiful 19!

Yep, it is marked on the crane MOD 19-2 and the S/N begins with K793xxx…It seems the 19-3's came about in 1967?? Guess I need to chase down the serial number but it appears that I have a 1966...

Could have gone either way. I've seen 19-2s in the K7958xx's and 19-3's down in the K792xxx's.
Most likely a 1968.
I am curious if it has the -3 or -2 rear sight leaf screw.

K-frame -2 rear sight leaf screw, directly over the barrel/cylinder gap.

K-frame -3 rear sight leaf screw, right over the forcing cone.

Sure do. We have 14 acres about a mile out of town. I put in a shooting bench and target backstops at 25, 50, and 75 yards. Use mostly .22's as it is near the house. Down by the pond there is a large hill of dirt from when the pond was dug many years ago...I use that for handgun and shotgun shooting.

Gotta love it!! Enjoy. Nothin better than shootin a 2.5" M19 in your own 'backyard'.

 

[Road Rat]

I just checked. Mine has the screw over the forcing cone.

Beautiful 19!


K-frame -3 rear sight leaf screw, right over the forcing cone.

 

[samandglove1]

I also have a 2.5" 19-2, and it is confirmed as shipped in 1968. It's my birth year gun. Enjoy it.

Road Rat, is that a Randall knife in your picture?

 

[Road Rat]

Road Rat, is that a Randall knife in your picture?

No. A man named Dave Pitt out of Anderson, CA, does custom knives for a living.

I had him make that one for me last year!! Really nice with a "crossdraw" scabbard.

Over on the rimfirecentral forum is a section on custom knives. Quite a few custom makers on there. Here is Dave's info.

David Pitt
Bear Paw Custom Knives
Anderson, CA 96007
(530)357-2393

 

[Engine49guy]

I just checked. Mine has the screw over the forcing cone.

So does that mean its really a dash 3 just marked dash 2 ?

 

[Road Rat]

Anything is possible.

I'm sure all manufacturers do NOT throw things out just because there is a deadline for a change-over to a new DASH model.

It is looking like a Model 19-2 started the process and got overtaken by the Model 19-3 changes........? the only -3 changes were the rear sight and the diamond from the grips........I think..

 

[mr.jbk79]

What year did they stop pinning the front sight on the 19?

 

[Road Rat]

I don't know the answer to your question.

This revolver does have the pinned barrel and the recessed cylinder but not the front sight.

 

[snw19_357]

So does that mean its really a dash 3 just marked dash 2 ?

That's what I want to know.

If it's marked a 19-2, its a 19-2; isn't it?

One of the earliest 2.5" M19's I have seen is marked "MOD-19" instead of:

MOD.
19-2

Model 19's are four screws so could this be the only three screw, 2.5" Model 19 ever made or is it a 19-2 that just got mis-stamped "MOD-19"?

You just gotta love S&W!

p.s. The front sights on the 2.5" barrel were never pinned, they were always one piece. When and where (serial number) on the 4" and 6" can drive you nuts, and is another thread.

 

[Sprefix]

My birth year snub...........NICE!!! And pics of the knife, if you will sir?