Engraved 3" m19-2

[Art Doc]

There is absolutely nothing in the world of gun owners that elicits such strong and diverse opinion as does engraving. More than the 45 vs. 9mm debate... more than the S&W trigger pull vs. the Colt trigger pull... more than "The Lock..." Some can't stand any engraving at all. Others will tolerate factory engraving but disdain aftermarket work. It's too little coverage... or too much coverage... it never ends.

The question of engraving will forever remain one of individual taste.

As for this particular gun, the way I see it, it has gone from being fairly rare to being one of kind. Love it or hate it it is unique.

 

[dscampbell]

For a BBQ gun it is perfect but for a duty or EDC gun it would too much to loose if it wound up being tied up as evidence.

 

[coiler666]

A very nice gun in my opinion. The engraving seems very nicely done, and a 3 inch bbl is perfect, to me anyways. As to value, its worth what one individual is willing to pay...bout 1800.00 ,again, to me. Thanks for sharing this nice pistol with us sir. Mike

 

[Texas Star]

I'm one of those people who will use what I purchase regardless if it is rare. With that said, I would be proud to own a rare piece like that, engraved by Bille Jean Weems. With her signature on the top strap. I read her obituary. She appears to have been a very gifted person. I don't think that her work would diminish the value. Not to me it wouldn't. I would though...I'd most likely shoot some Elmer Keith hot loads through it. ..at least a few.

Elmer himself warned against using too hot a load in Model 19's. He suggested his heavy .38-44 load. Said it'd work perfectly and be easier on the guns.

I won't quote his load in public, as burning rates of 2400 powder may have changed. But the bullet was the Lyman 358156 with gas check and a hollowpoint. Don't recall if he used .38 or ..357 cases, but think .38, as the load was developed for the .38-44 guns. Skelton also used that load and liked it, getting about 1200 FPS from a four-inch bbl.

I think Skelton seated the bullet out a little further than usual. Check their orignal writings and your loading manuals.

 

[Art Doc]

Keith seated the bullet in the first crimp to increase case capacity and lower pressure a tad. A 158 at 1200 is still a very stout load. More than I care to go and I am sort of known for adventurous loading. Note that Skelton did not shoot these in his 38 revolvers, but in his Model 27s he carried on duty.

 

[M29since14]

Everyone is going to have an opinion on this. It's about like the gold flute in the orchestra. Some people think it hideous, others hear the flute and aren't bothered by the gold.

My own tastes are pretty liberal when it comes to something like this gun and the only comment I could make about its value is that I would not think it worth as much as a similar factory-engraved S&W. I wouldn't even guess at the proverbial "fair price."

In the linked post, someone wrote that if the engraver's name is too obvious it might be blended with additional engraving. I doubt that is a worthwhile option. I have never seen an engraver who cared to "repair" another engraver's work, and if it is on the top strap, it is likely that wiping that area clean for the repair might take off enough metal that it would expose the tang of the rear sight in an unattractive way. It would seem best to leave the gun as-is - at least the metal work, anyway.

 

[notsofast]

I like the gun, it's engraving, and grips...I think the work looks good, not overdone; maybe like someone who got serious about their tattooing. However not being a collector I'm not moved enough by it to ever consider trading apprx $2000 for it.

 

[davidrepeterson]

Keith seated the bullet in the first crimp to increase case capacity and lower pressure a tad. A 158 at 1200 is still a very stout load. More than I care to go and I am sort of known for adventurous loading. Note that Skelton did not shoot these in his 38 revolvers, but in his Model 27s he carried on duty.

Ya..I've been handloading for at least 25 years. My daily driver was a Model 13. I regularly loaded .357 Mag cases with 14gr of 2400, Speer 4624 SWC, CCI primers, OAL 1.59", crimped. The 13 has at least 5,000 of these handloads through her, a couple thousand other hot concoctions and a couple thousand 145gr Silvertips. I tore it down earlier this year to refinish.(too many projects it's still dissassembled) I compared frame measurements with a lightly used 19 and they were almost identical. Bottom of the forcing cone is thick (1.4mm versus 1.23mm on the 19) It looks to have held up so far. I don't recommend these loads to anybody, but so far it's worked for me.

I believe that this engraved 19 will hold up to a few hot rounds.

The more I look at this Weems engraved revolver the more I like it. I too would pay $1800 for it. I hoarde everything so resale isn't important to me...To each his own.

 

[paperboy98]

Weems engraved 29-2

I have a 29-2 with 8 3/8" barrel highly engraved and signed "B Weems". I've been trying to find info on this engraver for 4 years. This is the most info I have seen. Thanks to all for the replies. Paperboy98

 

[Maximumbob54]

Don't engravers usually leave a smooth line on the cylinder where the cylinder bolt rests (turn line)? This looks engraved in that area.

Since this has been bumped up to the top again I have a question. Same as the quote, the engraved cylinder caught my eye. I'm curious if these engraved cylinders will even rotate well enough for shooting. It would seem like the bolt would drag and catch on the engraved sections. If it does rotate with proper timing then I would question it's ability to reliably do so. Not that such a gun is still a shooter. I just find it an odd thing to do.

 

[nipster]

I don't mean to insult anyone but would'nt the carving and engraving be effeminate on this pistol ? Just trying to become as sophisticated as everyone else here and learning all the time. Thanks.

About as effeminate as all the people here who really like floral patterned leather holsters I suppose

 

[xray97]

Since this has been bumped up to the top again I have a question. Same as the quote, the engraved cylinder caught my eye. I'm curious if these engraved cylinders will even rotate well enough for shooting. It would seem like the bolt would drag and catch on the engraved sections. If it does rotate with proper timing then I would question it's ability to reliably do so. Not that such a gun is still a shooter. I just find it an odd thing to do.

I haven't shot the m19 but it seems to function as it should. I have shot this m66, which has an engraved cylinder, without difficulty. I had not thought about it but your observation makes sense. I doubt I'll ever shoot the 19 or shoot the 66 again.
M66-2

Better picture of 19-2

 

[Maximumbob54]

The start burst seems like it wouldn't catch but oakleaf pattern seems like it might catch. I guess it's not that deep.

 

[Mickey D]

Very nice engraved guns. The M29-2 engraving looks more refined than the 19-2. Perhaps Ms. Weems' skills improved between the two works.

 

[Rad29]

xray97:

Engraving is a very personal perspective. It either trips your trigger or it doesn't. To me, the value of this 19 3 inch is somewhere between a like condition non-engraved 3 inch Model 19 up to adding $1000 to $1500 if you really liked the engraving. Perhaps a little more if it had a very interesting story that was properly documentated.

Bob