Does this 19-3 look like the s/n has been removed?

[tlawler]

Found this 2 1/2” 19-3 on the auction site and it looks as if the s/n in the yoke has been scratched off. I know it may have been obliterated by photo shop or something, but in the ad, he says the s/n is K480xx, so he has to have left out a digit. But K480000 would make it a 19-2, wouldn’t it? And the 2 1/2” barrel didn’t come out until the end of the 19-2 production. Something just seems fishy!

 

[Culina]

Its not a Colt, you need to take the grips off, the serial number will be on the butt

 

[k22fan]

No, but since you are concerned demand a picture of the bottom of the grip frame before sending any money. The serial number on many modern S&W revolvers can only be seen after removing after market stocks.

 

[JP@AK]

No. On a Model 19-3 with either a 4" or 6" barrel, the serial number would appear in the yoke cut (the location shown in your first picture) because those shipped with target stocks. But the 2 1/2" shipped with Magna stocks, so only the butt got the serial number. Do as others have suggested and get him to show you the serial number on the grip frame with the Pachmayr grips removed.

he says the s/n is K480xx, so he has to have left out a digit.

My guess would be he is leaving off the one digit that appears before the K. As you say, K480xxx is from 1962 and would be a Model 19-2. The serial number is probably xK480xx.

 

[model3sw]

No

My guess would be he is leaving off the one digit that appears before the K. As you say, K480xxx is from 1962 and would be a Model 19-2. The serial number is probably xK480xx.

Took the words right out of my mouth. I concur.

 

[shawn mccarver]

The ATF "official" serial number on S&W revolvers is on the butt. The only reason the serial number appears in the yoke on revolvers shipped with target stocks is for convenience of the owner. If the butt number is present, there is no problem. I doubt the 2 1/2 inch Model 19 in question ever had a number in the yoke.

 

[h2oboywp]

Serial numbers were stamped in the ejector housing of the barrel, and the yoke on pistols, underneath the extractor and on the cylinder between the extractor pins that had been re-blued or re-nickled. This was to prevent the parts from being mixed with other guns. All these stampings were to match the s/n on the butt of the frame.

 

[raylan007]

Settle down Joe Friday, clearly a photo shop job. As to the rest of the anomalies, do they ever end with early model S&W revolvers. I just saw a M19-3 close in similar condition for $640 on GB if that helps. Sold to the 1 lonely bidder.

 

[nachogrande]

"REMOVE THE GRIPS"?

One of my reasons for pachy grips VS others, is the window in the bottom that let's you see the ser #, WITHOUT removing them. I can't imagine being the only one hassled by wardens for an obscured/covered up ser #.

 

[serger]

One of my reasons for pachy grips VS others, is the window in the bottom that let's you see the ser #, WITHOUT removing them. I can't imagine being the only one hassled by wardens for an obscured/covered up ser #.

depends on the age of the grips. I've got a couple PD
surplus guns where the "window" was cut in the grip.
I'm guessing an armorer did it to preclude having to
pull the grips for inventory maybe?

 

[Doug M.]

One of my reasons for pachy grips VS others, is the window in the bottom that let's you see the ser #, WITHOUT removing them. I can't imagine being the only one hassled by wardens for an obscured/covered up ser #.

*
Uh, what? There is no requirement that the s/n be visible. That kind of stuff is a good way to get a few days off, at best.

OP: If you have qualms about buying a firearm from someone for any reason that are sufficient to make you ask here - you should not buy it.

 

[tlawler]

OP: If you have qualms about buying a firearm from someone for any reason that are sufficient to make you ask here - you should not buy it.

Not looking to buy it. I’m in the market for a 19-2. 2 1/2” round butt with a 1961 serial, so I look through the gb listings periodically and noticed that one and that it had some anomalies with the s/n. The window in the bottom of the grips was in one picture, but the lighting and fuzziness of the picture made it impossible to read.