papalondog
Member
Traded into this one today at the gunshow. What in the world did I do? Another prominent forum member was there and we deamed it factory original, but.......HELP! Round butt 4 inch model 19-3. Also note the "T" on the trigger???
Gunshow find 19-3 RB
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papalondog
Member
Traded into this one today at the gunshow. What in the world did I do? Another prominent forum member was there and we deamed it factory original, but.......HELP! Round butt 4 inch model 19-3. Also note the "T" on the trigger???
OP
papalondog
Member
S-???? C-ounty S-heriff's O-ffice??????
bravastar1
Member
Lonnie- You told me you were going to be selling-NOT buying. Good job!
BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Remove grips and post photos of the backstrap and frontstrap of the grip portion of the frame. Most gunsmith round butt jobs can be thus detected.
I love those grips. I have them on my 3 inch M-66 and some others still in the blister packs.
Nice shooter!
I love those grips. I have them on my 3 inch M-66 and some others still in the blister packs.
Nice shooter!
OP
papalondog
Member
bravastar1.........I said I "traded" into this one
I actually behaved myself....but today is a new day
I actually behaved myself....but today is a new day
Nice find Lonnie,
Another 19 to fill those open slots in your safe!
Thanks again for the two 19's you sent to me.
Jim
Another 19 to fill those open slots in your safe!
Thanks again for the two 19's you sent to me.
Jim
You bought a 2 1/2" M-19-3 that has been re-barreled. Notice that the top of the frame straight. This feature only appears on 2 1/2" guns. It is done so that the sight ramp on the short barrel neatly meets the top of the frame. M-19's with longer barrels have a step there. Look for some other pictures of M-19's on the forum and you'll see what I mean. Of course, the only way to know is to letter it. There's always a possibility that someone ordered a round butt frame with a 4" barrel and S&W did it. However, I think the chance of that being the case is very small.
Todd
rburg
Member
Near the end of production of M19s, a bunch of them did come out that way. Our gunshows were swamped with them for about a year. Then it seems all found a good home and we haven't been seeing them. The rumor at the time was S&W either ran out or ran low on 2 1/2" barrels, but had an adequate supply of 4", so out came a group with the longer barrels. Not an unpleasant configuration.
S&W didn't waste parts. They somehow always managed to use up the frames and barrels they had on hand.
Yes, if you want to be certain, call the factory.
Be more suspicious when you see a dealer, tinkerer, gunsmith with a round butt 4" and a square butt 2 1/2!
S&W didn't waste parts. They somehow always managed to use up the frames and barrels they had on hand.
Yes, if you want to be certain, call the factory.
Be more suspicious when you see a dealer, tinkerer, gunsmith with a round butt 4" and a square butt 2 1/2!
This one is pinned and appears to be recessed, which would be correct for a 19-3. This makes me think the barrel was changed later in life. However, it does appear to be a LEO gun, so it could have been a special order.
Todd
akviper
Member
I have a similar gun that lettered as a factory four inch round butt. Apparently a few were made around 1971.
As far as I can tell there doesn't seem to be any hard and fast rule regarding barrel / frame steps. These are all factory original guns and the top straps and barrel steps vary considerably. Pictured below are a Model 66 no dash 2 1/2 inch round butt, Model 66-3 three inch round butt, Model 19-2 four inch square butt, Model 19-3 four inch round butt, and a Model 19-7 four inch round butt. Although it isn't real clear in the photo the 66 no dash and the 19-2 square butt have the same frame, barrel step and the others are all different.
As far as I can tell there doesn't seem to be any hard and fast rule regarding barrel / frame steps. These are all factory original guns and the top straps and barrel steps vary considerably. Pictured below are a Model 66 no dash 2 1/2 inch round butt, Model 66-3 three inch round butt, Model 19-2 four inch square butt, Model 19-3 four inch round butt, and a Model 19-7 four inch round butt. Although it isn't real clear in the photo the 66 no dash and the 19-2 square butt have the same frame, barrel step and the others are all different.
OP
papalondog
Member
It is no doubt a factory round butt frame, as the serial number is perfectly centered on the butt. It also is a 1974 gun 6KXXXX serial number so 19-3 is correct. Unless the barrel has been changed it is original. Here is what is on the butt.......
Neat gun, Lonnie! I'll be interested in learning what S.C.S.O. means - I think you're ion the right track with your Sxxxxx County Sheriffs Office. And what about the "T"? I've not encountered that yet.
Thanks for the post,
Jerry
Thanks for the post,
Jerry
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looks ok to me i would say it is a gun made for navy oni.look in your smith book
twomoons
Member
lonnie,
that T means that gun should belong to the TWOMOON tribe. of which i am the chief. so i will just drive over today , or meet you at the coffe shop and we can discuss my ancestry and claim to your gun LOL
that T means that gun should belong to the TWOMOON tribe. of which i am the chief. so i will just drive over today , or meet you at the coffe shop and we can discuss my ancestry and claim to your gun LOL
Frank237
Absent Comrade
A lot of guns were rebarreled . Seeing a 4" barreled K RB with a long tube wasn't very unusual in the mid to late 70's. I did a 66 and carried it for some time.
No matter what.... GREAT find.
FN in MT
No matter what.... GREAT find.
FN in MT
akviper
Member
The navy guns had yellow insert front sights and standard wood grips with a grip adapter. Some were transferred to the FBI for issue to early field swat trained agents.
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