Grip question

[Wingmaster]

Are all original factory grips marked with the last few digits of the serial number?
I have a model 19-4 that I thought was all original but when I removed the grips they don't have ant numbers on the inside. That makes me wonder if the grips were replaced.
Thanks

 

[s&wchad]

Magna stocks of the era were numbered, Target stocks were not.

 

[29aholic]

Welcome to the forum

If your 19 had target grips they would not be numbered. Very very few early target guns had target grips numbered to the gun. For the most part service and Magna type grips were numbered due to the fact they were a fitted piece and it helped keep the parts together once the gun was finished. I am not sure how long Smith continued this practice.

 

[murphydog]

I have seen guns into the mid-late 1970s with Magna stocks still numbered to the gun, but can't recall seeing one past 1979. As Curtis noted, the target or Presentation stocks did not require individual fitting and few were numbered.

 

[Wingmaster]

Thanks guys.
These are target grips. This is the gun that started this obsession I have fallen into.
I have always been a gun guy. I have focused on rifles. Mainly Winchester model 70's with a couple of sako's thrown in.
I inherited this model 19 from my wifes step dad when her mom passed away last september. It is a dash 4 that has been shot very little. Very slight turn ring on the cylinder and it shoots like a dream.
Since then I have bought a K-38 combat Masterpeice, and a 5 inch model 27. Both shooters, but in pretty darn good shape.
This is turning into some kind of obsession.

 

[HCD]

Just Now 19-4

Just a quinky-dink but I just today got my target stocks from S&W for my-own 19-4 (1979) ya it's an obsession

 

[Camster]

"Since then I have bought a K-38 combat Masterpeice, and a 5 inch model 27. Both shooters, but in pretty darn good shape.
This is turning into some kind of obsession. "

Three nice Smiths? A slight infatuation.Not an obsession yet but keep working on it! ;-)

 

[Wingmaster]

HCD, Nice, very nice.

Camster, I am working on it. I found a couple more and have been dickering with the shop owner.
Have you ever heard of this causing a divorce? My wife is pretty good about this stuff but I am starting to wonder.