Infos on a very unique 19-3

[helmsp]

Every so often, I’m lucky enough to come across an intriguing model, and this time it’s what I think is a 19-3 (stamped on the frame).
It features fixed sights like the 19P but has a 3" barrel, as opposed to the 2.5" and 4" versions.
The serial number starts with a "D" prefix, which, according to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (SCSW), places it within the categories of 10, 12, 13, 14, and 45.
The bluing is similar to the onces on the older M&P (dull).

Proof stamp on the frame from Ulm/Germany.
There's also an unknown stamp on the frame under the grip, which seems to have been "terminated" with two horizontal lines.

I purchased it from a German collector, so it might have been a special order for the European market.

I’m hoping that one of you collectors might be able to provide some insight on this for me.

Since the revolver came with some rubber Hogues I had to exchange them quickly with some Altamonts.


swaficionado, on Flickr

 

[JP@AK]

Yes. A limited number of these round butt, fixed sight units with the 3" barrel were made for export. They are not commonly found, but one was on display at a SWCA Symposium a year or two ago.

Enjoy it - you won't likely see another one anytime soon.

 

[JP@AK]

The serial number starts with a "D" prefix, which, according to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (SCSW), places it within the categories of 10, 12, 13, 14, and 45.

That reflects an error in the SWCA 4th Edition. The Model 14 (a K-Target revolver) was never assigned serial numbers with the D prefix. Target sight K frames were given K prefix serial numbers. C and D prefixes were used on the fixed sight models.

While the Model 19 is organically a target sight model, the special-order fixed sight units were given the D numbers, as yours demonstrates.

 

[LVSteve]

That struck proof mark looking like a castle is defeating my Google Fu at the moment. It is similar to the Lithuanian Pillars of Gediminas symbol, but not quite the same.

 

[kwill1911]

Cool gun! Can we see more pictures?

 

[ezb57]

Honest question: How is this not essentially a mis-stamped 13? Just the barrel?

 

[BAM-BAM]

Yes. A limited number of these round butt, fixed sight units with the 3" barrel were made for export. They are not commonly found, but one was on display at a SWCA Symposium a year or two ago.

Enjoy it - you won't likely see another one anytime soon.

IIRC they were made up, on a special order for the French equivalent of our Secret Service.

 

[JP@AK]

Honest question: How is this not essentially a mis-stamped 13? Just the barrel?

The shrouded extractor rod - that requires slightly different frame dimensions at the contact point, just below the barrel.

The Model 13-1 (etc.) does not have the shrouded rod, so the frame has the same dimensions as the Model 10.

 

[snw19_357]

and the Model 13 wasn't introduced until 1974.

This is one of the earlier German fixed sight Model 19-3s. There were 490 shipped in 1972. These differ from the later 200 that went to France in 1973 in that the German ones have a trigger stop. The French ones didn't even have the slot for the stop.

German

French

 

[helmsp]

Thank you all for the great information and helping me narrowing it down.

This is one of the earlier German fixed sight Model 19-3s. There were 490 shipped in 1972. These differ from the later 200 that went to France in 1973 in that the German ones have a trigger stop. The French ones didn't even have the slot for the stop.

German

The gun is identical but the proof/markings on my example are significantly more faded. I guess it's due to the (matt) re-bluing.

That struck proof mark looking like a castle is defeating my Google Fu at the moment. It is similar to the Lithuanian Pillars of Gediminas symbol, but not quite the same.

My guess is that it's the coat of arms for the city "Hamburg".
Datei:Hamburg-symbol.svg – Wikipedia

 

[80sgyrene]

Congrats OP.
My grail gun.

 

[Engine49guy]

Iirc they are sometimes referred to as the Model 19P?
Basicly a blue version of the later model 65-5 Ladysmith.

There was a 4" square butt version 19P as well that might have been for export Peru.
They are also very uncommon, Interestingly one has been sitting on gb with zer bids for a while if you're interested in 19P varients and would like to view a 4".

 

[helmsp]

Iirc they are sometimes referred to as the Model 19P?

The mentioned example is definitely not a Peru export since it's not stamped with "19P" but "19-3". The 19P were only produced with 2,5" and 4" barrel length, not 3".

Here's one of my 19P (I got 3)

S&W 19P by swaficionado, on Flickr

 

[snw19_357]

Here's one of my 19P (I got 3)

Have one of the 2.5"? Love to see that one.

 

[SASFixer]

I have a 3" round butt M13 in that configuration. I wouldn't sell at any price, it was virtually brand new when I bought it. It was a re-import, slickest double action I have ever experienced.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

I, for one, am just loving the hell outta this configuration. RB K-frame, heavy shrouded 3" barrel with fixed sights in .357 mag. Yes please.

 

[GaryinOKC]

Looks like a 19P. Is it stamped 19-3 or is it a 19 with a 3" barrel? The 19P was made in 4" SB and 3" rb and were made for a foreign contract. Differs from a 13 due to shrouded ejector. I have a 4".

 

[shawn mccarver]

Frankonia Waffen in Darmstadt, about 30 - 35 km south of Frankfurt, had many 19Ps during the late 80s, perhaps ‘87 to ‘89. That said, I only saw 4-inch ones. Great find!

 

[Bugger]

Thanks for the thread and picture.

 

[roundels]

Gorgeous gun. Makes me pine for the old days when the letters denoting quality were S&W rather than ISO. I have a 4" Model 65 that came factory chambered in .38 Special so strange things do happen.