Another Early Nickel Pre-19 Combat Magnum

[EarlB]

It isn't perfect (and hasn't been cleaned yet) but it's still pretty nice and is an original, matching nickel Combat Magnum from 1955/1956. It came out of the Tulsa show. I acquired it from the person that got it there last weekend. I've been looking for one of these since I got my nickel 19-1 earlier. I paid too much for it, but how often do you see these things? I don't know the actual number made but understand the number is quite low. I hope the next addition of SCSW had more than one small paragraph on pre-19 Combat Magnums!

Model 19-1 4" Nickel - Grail Gun I didn't even know I was looking for-Updated w/Pics

 

[smith17]

What is the significance of the S in the shroud?
Ed

 

[Eddietruett]

Beautiful Gun. Many great range trips are in your future.

 

[EarlB]

You got me there, but now I'm curious too. Earl

What is the significance of the S in the shroud?
Ed

 

[shouldazagged]

That's a real beauty.

 

[moosedog]

Nice catch. Target hammer and trigger and beautiful Rosewood grips.

 

[BigBill]

I'm not fond of the m19 but I can't turn down another s&w nickel.

 

[EarlB]

I want to thank a forum member that wishes to remain anonymous for notifying me that this revolver is not original. We all make mistakes and this one was mine. I had my concerns after a detailed cleaning and inspection, but when confronted with photos of your gun in a different configuration (6" Pinto - blue cylinder and barrel) with the same frame, same S#, Same Assembly# - there is no doubting it ain't right. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

 

[raljr1]

I want to thank a forum member that wishes to remain anonymous for notifying me that this revolver is not original. ..

Please explain how or why?

Robert

 

[PALADIN85020]

Regardless of originality, you have a beautiful revolver there. Model 19s in nickel have real eye appeal.

This is mine. I think rosewood stocks make a nice contrast for the nickel finish and complement the gun quite well.

John

 

[EarlB]

Revolver

I'm not sure I exactly understand your querry. He simply wanted to remain anonymous, I don't care why I only care if the revolver is original or not. The gunbroker auction photos showing the frame in a pinto configuration is enough for me.

My reason for posting is so others can learn from my mistake. I won't keep a gun I don't have confidence in. I'm selling this one for what it is - a non original shooter. I wanted to make sure that others know about it so they don't make the same mistake I did. I can control how I sell it and take the financial loss instead of trying to pass it off as something it isn't, my reputation and integrity is worth more to me. But I can't control what someone down the road does other than by making it public. Earl

Please explain how or why?

Robert

 

[raljr1]

Wasn't trying to learn who, just how it was identified as not original..

Just reread the last post, so now I get it.....

 

[EarlB]

No problem

No problem. The person sent me the original gunbroker listing photos of the same frame - same serial number, same assembly number, same handling marks on the frame, same factory stamps - but sporting a blued cylinder and 6" blued barrel. I honestly don't know if the barrel and cylinder on the gun now are original to it and had been kept with it when it was made into a pinto, or if someone numbered parts to match. All I know is my confidence in the gun is gone and I won't keep something that ticks me off every time I look at it.

Earl, i was trying to understand what it was that identified it as non original. Just trying to learn from this as I too could be attracted to a shiny Combat Magnum. Maybe I missed it in the thread. Not asking to ID the person who shared the info.

Robert

 

[raljr1]

Is it worth a letter if the letter confirms the original configuration was 4 inch nickel, you'd be in a better position value wise, wouldn't you?

Robert

 

[EarlB]

No. That is the original condition as shown by the frame markings and confirmed by Roy with a ship date request. But you are only original once. At best, this is a restoration. I paid for original so it's not what I wanted or paid for.

Is it worth a letter if the letter confirms the original configuration was 4 inch nickel, you'd be in a better position value wise, wouldn't you?

Robert

 

[handejector]

I want to thank a forum member that wishes to remain anonymous for notifying me that this revolver is not original. We all make mistakes and this one was mine. I had my concerns after a detailed cleaning and inspection, but when confronted with photos of your gun in a different configuration (6" Pinto - blue cylinder and barrel) with the same frame, same S#, Same Assembly# - there is no doubting it ain't right. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

Sorry to hear that.
Was it in Pinto config when the guy bought it last week at Tulsa? Who and when was it converted back to all nickel?

 

[PAULEM]

It isn't perfect (and hasn't been cleaned yet) but it's still pretty nice and is an original, matching nickel Combat Magnum from 1955/1956. It came out of the Tulsa show. I acquired it from the person that got it there last weekend. I've been looking for one of these since I got my nickel 19-1 earlier. I paid too much for it, but how often do you see these things? I don't know the actual number made but understand the number is quite low. I hope the next addition of SCSW had more than one small paragraph on pre-19 Combat Magnums!

Model 19-1 4" Nickel - Grail Gun I didn't even know I was looking for-Updated w/Pics

Really nice shape for such an early model. One of my favorites, I like mine a great deal, a beautifully blued four inch version. I was just reading an article about the new Model 19 that Smith is offering, somewhere between eight and nine hundred dollars, apparently with what they describe as several major improvements to the original. I've known many peace officers who carried them, and depended on them. Anything can be improved, most anything, but I like the originals. I wonder what you gave for it? Helps to know what mine is worth, and where the market is these days.

 

[EarlB]

I found out today that yes it was in pinto configuration when it was sold in Tulsa 2 weeks ago to the person I bought it from. That person has sworn repeatedly that this is how he bought it but today I found out who that seller was and confirmed it was sold there honestly as a parts gun since it was a non factory pinto. That seller was the person whose photos I have from his gunbroker auction. So it was converted back to all nickel since Tulsa either by the person I bought it from or someone he took it too. One other give away I should have caught but didn't. Look at the ampersand on the barrel, not very fat and lazy is it? Needless to say, I'm not buying anything from this individual again.

Paulem I don't think I would even want to reveal what I stupidly paid for it. I have a mint original blue pre 19 and a nickel 19-1 which is mint and in the box. I'm In The same ballpark as what I paid for them - even more past the damn warning track!

Sorry to hear that.
Was it in Pinto config when the guy bought it last week at Tulsa? Who and when was it converted back to all nickel?

 

[LPD256]

Earl-Sorry you have to put up with this. It sounds as if you know the guy you bought it from. Do you have any legal recourse against him? Sounds like fraud to me. Clearly stamping numbers on the gun would be proof of intent. Can you go back to him? Will the gun function? So sorry.

 

[EarlB]

I do know him and yes, I believe now it was fraud. But I'm not going the legal route as I should have known better myself. It's an expensive learning lesson and costs him a customer that had spent many thousands with over the last year. I did go back to him with the pictures of the gun as a pinto. I couldn't understand at first why he wouldn't do anything but after finding out it sold to him as a pinto, now I know. Yes it functions and would be a good shooter but that's about it.

Earl-Sorry you have to put up with this. It sounds as if you know the guy you bought it from. Do you have any legal recourse against him? Sounds like fraud to me. Clearly stamping numbers on the gun would be proof of intent. Can you go back to him? Will the gun function? So sorry.