3” Model 19-3 Rarity

[Mediumbore]

LGS has something I’ve never seen before: a S&W Model 19-3 with nickeled finish and 3” barrel. Didn’t get to handle it due to crowd but it looked low to mid90’s condition wise with no box. Grips had minor handling and a T-grip, but the metal showed little wear that I could see. Has anyone seen such before? Doesn’t make an appearance in my Blue Book. Any clue as to value?

 

[Doc44]

S&W made a few Combat Magnums with a 3-inch barrel. The one below was shipped in 1966. Click on the photo for a better look. I paid over $3000 for it about seven or eight years ago.

Bill

 

[ralph7]

S&W made a few Combat Magnums with a 3-inch barrel. The one below was shipped in 1966. Click on the photo for a better look. I paid over $3000 for it about seven or eight years ago.

Bill

Thought diamond grips were still around at this time.

 

[demkofour]

LGS has something I’ve never seen before: a S&W Model 19-3 with nickeled finish and 3” barrel. Didn’t get to handle it due to crowd but it looked low to mid90’s condition wise with no box. Grips had minor handling and a T-grip, but the metal showed little wear that I could see. Has anyone seen such before? Doesn’t make an appearance in my Blue Book. Any clue as to value?

You know, you need to get back to the shop ASAP for a closer look (and pictures) and report back…. Could it possibly have been a 3” 66 with a polished bright finish?

 

[Doc44]

Orders to delete the diamond on all stocks except NT and KT were issued in October 1965 and January 1966. This revolver was shipped in July 1966 with non-diamond stocks.

Bill

 

[Mediumbore]

Definitely a nickel gun, it was one shelf from a 66 2.5” and so I could see the difference with the yellow cast to the finish and the obvious barrel length difference. They want $1350 and I’m sorely tempted. Couldn’t get back for a pic.

 

[John Patrick]

S&W made a few Combat Magnums with a 3-inch barrel. The one below was shipped in 1966. Click on the photo for a better look. I paid over $3000 for it about seven or eight years ago.

Bill

That’s a beautiful revolver!

 

[Hapworth]

Definitely a nickel gun, it was one shelf from a 66 2.5” and so I could see the difference with the yellow cast to the finish and the obvious barrel length difference. They want $1350 and I’m sorely tempted. Couldn’t get back for a pic.

If that's what they're asking, they either don't know what they have or there's a condition problem...

 

[Mediumbore]

S&W made a few Combat Magnums with a 3-inch barrel. The one below was shipped in 1966. Click on the photo for a better look. I paid over $3000 for it about seven or eight years ago.

Bill

Gorgeous pic of a gorgeous gun, Doc. Was it unfired when you got it? Did it have a box? Looks pristine to me.

 

[Doc44]

The Model 19-2 has the box numbered to the revolver, etc.

Bill

 

[66L72]

What a GEM!

DOC44, that 1966 19-2 3 inch you own is IMHO without question one of the top 5 Revolvers EVER manufactured by Smith and Wesson. Just a GEM! I own a couple 66-2 3 Inch Ashland's and they are nice however, not in the same league/universe as yours.

That blue finish matched with those stocks, Pinned and Recessed. Unmatched in today's world.

Do you have any idea how many were manufactured?

Thanks for Sharing

Pat

 

[Hair Trigger]

Definitely a nickel gun, it was one shelf from a 66 2.5” and so I could see the difference with the yellow cast to the finish and the obvious barrel length difference. They want $1350 and I’m sorely tempted. Couldn’t get back for a pic.

If that's what they're asking, they either don't know what they have or there's a condition problem...

Are the trigger and hammer color case-hardened? If not, it's not a factory nickel finish. Extractor star should be blue, and the cylinder stamped on the chamber end with a "N", also, if it is factory nickel. Maybe that's why the price is low.

 

[Doc44]

I don't know how many were made with a 3-inch barrel, but based on few that are seen, I would guess 200 or less.

Bill

 

[BAM-BAM]

S&W made a few Combat Magnums with a 3-inch barrel. The one below was shipped in 1966. Click on the photo for a better look. I paid over $3000 for it about seven or eight years ago.

Bill

Love my 3" 66s -3s and -4s.... like my 2 1/2" 19s.... but a 3" 19... every time I see the pictures ...... WOW just WOW!!!!

Same proportions as the 3 1/2" 27....... IMO Smith could have sold all they could build.

 

[ron b]

Think some 5" ones were also made

 

[RCL-09]

S&W made a few Combat Magnums with a 3-inch barrel. The one below was shipped in 1966. Click on the photo for a better look. I paid over $3000 for it about seven or eight years ago.

Bill

Personally I can't think of a better revolver. .357 mag... K frame... pinned... recessed... round butt... adjustable sight... 3" barrel...

Perfection!

 

[Mediumbore]

So I got a look at the other side in the case today and I see no flaws in the nickel. It has blued sights with a white outline rear and yellow insert in the front ramp. It is P&R, TH, TT , CC hardened on both,with smooth Magna stocks no checkering. There is a FAINT turn line and a Tyler grip adapter. One thing I noticed were a pair of pins in the barrel rib underneath the front sight base. They appeared to be the same size pin as the barrel locking pin. I don’t see that on Doc44’s gun in the pic he provided. This is maddening…..

 

[John Patrick]

So I got a look at the other side in the case today and I see no flaws in the nickel. It has blued sights with a white outline rear and yellow insert in the front ramp. It is P&R, TH, TT with smooth Magna stocks no checkering. There is a FAINT turn line and a Tyler grip adapter. One thing I noticed were a pair of pins in the barrel rib underneath the front sight base. They appeared to be the same size pin as the barrel locking pin. I don’t see that on Doc44’s gun in the pic he provided. This is maddening…..

I’m guessing that with the TH, TT and pinned front sight it is a shortened 4+ inch revolver. I’m also guessing a not original nickel job.

FWIW, I have a factory nickel 2 1/2” 19-5 and it has a black rear sight, no white outline, case colored hammer and trigger. The front sight is nickel, which the previous owner painted white. The cylinder has the N stamp indicating nickel from the factory and the hammer and trigger appear to have been polished to remove/minimize the case colors.

I’m almost positive the grips on the one you’re looking at are not original.

A couple of photos would go a LONG way to answering Qs.

See a photo of the factory nickel 19-5 below. Thai combats added, it came with Pachmayer’s, original grips were probably round butt magnas.

 

[Mediumbore]

Photos I could get.

 

[John Patrick]

No ramp for the front sights.

Edit for clarity: Meaning, no integral to the barrel ramp. The ramp is part of the pinned front sight.