Late 357 Combat Magnum

[TheTinMan]

I have wanted one of these for a while now. It wasn't cheap - bidding stopped just barely before hitting my limit.

Apparently it was produced just before Springfield started stamping "19" on the frame. There are matching serial numbers on the ejector and cylinder, but not the barrel or crane. It shipped in July of 1958, and the serial # is K317xxx.

ETA: with the heavy barrel and the target grips I actually like the feel of this revolver in my hand better than my 3-1/2" 357 Magnum (N-frame). The single action trigger is just about perfect.

 

[Bajadoc]

That is one of my dream guns, beautiful.

 

[JP@AK]

It shipped in July of 1958, and the serial # is K317xxx.

Yep. Right at the end of the Combat Magnum with no model number.

Model 19 Combat Magnum, serial number K318968, shipped in August, 1958. That is the lowest number on a Model 19 that I have recorded.

 

[DARE]

That is a beauty!
I think with a July 1958 ship date it is after the end of soft-fitting. Serial numbers marked in fewer locations.
Here is mine from August 1956.

 

[rickflst]

That is a beauty! You got yourself a nice gun!

 

[dobegrant]

Both revolvers are very nice.

 

[Tijeras_Slim]

I snagged K263800 about 10 years ago, I believe it's 1955 first year of production. Shop was lazy researching it and I got it for $500. Very smooth action.

 

[snw19_357]

Yep. Right at the end of the Combat Magnum with no model number.

Model 19 Combat Magnum, serial number K318968, shipped in August, 1958. That is the lowest number on a Model 19 that I have recorded.

Now you have a lower one.

 

[yugolovr]

I am happy for you! I like K frames in all there forms.

 

[JayCeeNC]

I owned .357 Combat Magnum ser# K381289, non-model marked, which shipped June, 1958, and is the highest number non-model marked one I've seen.
I also owned K316966, non-model marked, which shipped July, 1958.
Just goes to prove these guns did not ship in serial number order.

 

[JP@AK]

Now you have a lower one.

Very good, Chad. And thank you.

Do you happen to have a ship date for it?

Also, is that last digit an 8?

 

[CHARLIE699]

Great catch!! One to be proud of.
Here is K421358. A Model 19 (no-dash) Recoil shield looks unfired

IIRC, a member put her around 1960-61

 

[PaulDoc]

I've got a late combat magnum myself. April 30, 1959. K318349. There is an old thread that describes all the little nuances between the early CM's and the very late ones. Very nice examples. Cheers

 

[M29since14]

ETA: with the heavy barrel and the target grips I actually like the feel of this revolver in my hand better than my 3-1/2" 357 Magnum (N-frame). The single action trigger is just about perfect.

Congratulations on your Combat Magnum. Very nice! I had to take note of your comment because I agree completely - so it must be right! The 4-inch CM feels and points as well as any double-action revolver is likely to, and nothing matches a good K-frame trigger. No other S&W can match it, and certainly no Cxxx can even come close. I consider it something of a travesty to call the new guns Combat Magnums when I think of the originals. Surely another name would have been more equitable to us geezers and junior geezers who remember what a Combat Magnum really is.

 

[Retired W4]

I watched and waited a long time for mine. The non-model marked ones don't come around often.

 

[bill-in-texas]

That is stunningly beautiful, TinMan!
-Bill

 

[shil]

Sweet! My first revolver, about 45 years ago, was a 4" Model 19. I wish I had THAT one back. I traded it off when I was younger and dumber. I got another, have owned it for decades, will not part with it, and occasionally contemplate buying a second one.

 

[Lima_Delta54321]

very nice.

I have a 19-3 (late 1976) well used, and I love shooting .357 cartridges— extremely accurate w/ 4" barrel. It is one of my favorites.

 

[Dvus]

I absolutely love those older diamond target stocks. They fit my hand way better than the later, slightly larger target stocks.

 

[LEO918]

Here's a real early Combat Magnum from my collection