Combat Magnums?

[RKmesa]

Couple of my favorite CM's:

Texas Ranger 210 (1 of 50 engraved)

19-1 Two tone (not the greatest pic's)

 

[Mitch_D]

bamabiker:

"I appreciate all the pics but these early ones are the ones I was really looking for. I just don't remember physically seeing a pre 19 or a M19 or even a M19-1 for sale. I've only seen a couple of -2s that I remember and one of those had been re-nickeled.
I should have ask in my first post, for the ones that have the pre 19s with target grips, is the serial number stamped in the right grip panel?
The reason I ask is I have a set of grips with an early CM serial number stamped in them. Was wondering if most came this way. "

You're right the 19s & 19-1s don't come around for sale very often. When they do, they're pounced on. I think BUFF has it right: "when an owner decides to sell his, it often goes to a shooting buddy, with no advertising involved."

I've heard, too, that some of the early CMs had the S/N stamped inside the target stocks. Alas, mine are bare. I've got to get it lettered someday, to find out how it really shipped.

In any event - enjoy the gun. The .357 Combat Magnum is among S & W's finest offerings.

 

[fungunnin]

Out of curiosity ... what is the serial number on the grip panel? Walnut or rosewood?

Another question for the experts... What is the serial number cut off for unnumbered to Mod. 19 stamping

Thanks,
~Bill

 

[snw19_357]

… for the ones that have the pre 19s with target grips, is the serial number stamped in the right grip panel?
The reason I ask is I have a set of grips with an early CM serial number stamped in them. Was wondering if most came this way.

I don't know if they all did, or even most, but at least a few of the ones I have seen did have the serial number stamped in the right panel. Mine does.

It's definitely not the prettiest one around but I think it spent a lot of time as Mr. Bill Jordan, being carried in a holster. Mechanically it is excellent and one heck of a shooter that I can enjoy taking to the range. I'm sure glad I found this one instead of a pristine one!

Out of curiosity ... what is the serial number on the grip panel? Walnut or rosewood?

Bill, Back in the day, when the grips were hand fit to the revolvers frame, they would stamp the guns serial number in the right grip panel so the grips for that revolver could be matched back up to it, before it shipped.
To the best of my knowledge the Combat Magnums never had Rosewood stocks. The first ones were Walnut which were followed by Goncalo Alves in about 1960.

What is the serial number cut off for unnumbered to Mod. 19 stamping

That's an interesting one to try and answer. There wasn't a clear line or serial number. The first Combat Magnums that were marked MOD-19 showed up in the K316xxx range but non-model marked Combat Magnum are seen all of the way into the K318xxx range and maybe beyond that.

 

[fungunnin]

I am well aware that almost all magnas and service grips were stamped with the serial number of the gun they were fitted to. I have not seen this to be true of all diamond targets. Of the two k frames I own with diamond targets, a CM and a 14-1, neither have the serial number stamped.

I was asking what the serial number was on his spare pair as it would be an interesting set of wood if the serial number was down in the 260XXX range.

Interesting on the serial number cut off. Mine is either 315 or 317XXX I'll have to check when I get home.

Thanks,
~Bill

 

[snw19_357]

I am well aware that almost all magnas and service grips were stamped with the serial number of the gun they were fitted to. I have not seen this to be true of all diamond targets.

I guess I completely misread your question, didn't I?!

I agree with you. Since the target grips were oversized and covered the frame, they didn't need to be fit.

I have a set with 260601 in them.

 

[bamabiker]

I am well aware that almost all magnas and service grips were stamped with the serial number of the gun they were fitted to. I have not seen this to be true of all diamond targets. Of the two k frames I own with diamond targets, a CM and a 14-1, neither have the serial number stamped.

I was asking what the serial number was on his spare pair as it would be an interesting set of wood if the serial number was down in the 260XXX range.

Interesting on the serial number cut off. Mine is either 315 or 317XXX I'll have to check when I get home.

Thanks,
~Bill

The number 260592 is stamped in the ones I have. That is close to yours snw19-357.
I did a thread with pictures back when I got them.

 

[ENGINE18]

WOW! Some fantastic CMs and offspring!

 

[eich]

Pre 19

OK, here's one shipped May of 56...serial K2615XX. And sure I would trade it, for one shipped in June of 56. I know, fat chance. This one came to me courtesy of a fine forum member, you know who you are..and thanks again.

 

[BUFF]

At least some of the early Combat Magnums came with rosewood target stocks. One of my first partners carried a pre-model 4 incher with rosewood shoes for most of his career. I refinished them once for him.

 

[DWFAN]

Yes some stocks do come numbered. K260082

 

[4-Screw]

Pretty sure it is NIB...pre-19 Combat Magnum. It has been so long since it has seen daylight, I need to clean it up a bit and wax it....looks a little dirty/dull.

 

[smccool54]

Very impressive pics!! In a world of great firearms produced by many companies, the S&W Model 19 has a pedigree that will ensure its place in history. The research I did in 1977 that lead to my purchase of my CM was well worth it. I still have it, and it is still in great shape.

 

[mcnurlenj]

I have a model 19 no dash at home. The s/n lookup told me it was made in 58 or 59 i think. I got it to carry and shoot but it still looks OK. Sorry, I cant get pics up since it's at home and I'm in Afghanistan. I hope to get it worked on someday and fix the gap and endshake. Mostly I just carry it around for snakes, or the occasional rabid rabbit, may deer hunt with it too.

 

[ElToro]

ive never even seen a CM or pre 19 for sale around here. i have a couple of 19 - ( notsure) laying around and 66es as well.

4 inch K magnum... for all around use, i think that could be be my 1 gun for rest of life if really pressed.

Now, Mike pulling out the granddaddy of them all. NICE.

Bill Jordan is the undisputed father of the CM and to have his personal CM.. now that is just something cool.
Again i say, Very Nice.

 

[ChefJeff]

Here's a pic of my 19-3. Is it a combat magnum? What exactly does Combat Magnum mean? It sounds good. My 19-3 doesn't have fancy wood grips lika all of yours---at least, not yet. I'm thinking of getting some ahrends. Does it make sense to put brand new grips on an old used gun like this. This baby has some wear and is my faithful companion while hiking through the Sawtooth's of Idaho.

 

[Doc44]

ChefJeff...Combat Magnum is the name given to the revolver that also became the Model 19 in 1957. All S&W revolvers had names back in the 50s and 60s when they were introduced (for example, ".357" Magnum in 1935, 1950 Target 44 in 1950, 44 Magnum in 1956, 41 Magnum in 1964) and still carried the names after model numbers were assigned. Your 19-3 is a Combat Magnum.

Bill

 

[ChefJeff]

Thanks Doc, I"ll shoot it a little more educated now. So, what is a distinguished Combat Magnum?

 

[586L-Frame]

Thanks Doc, I"ll shoot it a little more educated now. So, what is a distinguished Combat Magnum?

The 586 and 686 L-Frames are Distinguished Combat Magnums
I believe.
586L-Frame

Here are a few pics of my 586 & 686 4" L-Frames.

DLC's 586 L-Frame 4"

DLC's No dash 586 L-Frame 6" & 4" Distinguished Combat Magnums.

DLC's S&W 686 L-Frame – Polished.

x

 

[4-Screw]

Pre-19 wearing a set of rosewoods:

Pre-19 with Diamond Targets and Original Box: