Model 19-1 4" Nickel - Grail Gun I didn't even know I was looking for-Updated w/Pics

[29-1]

OK, K464886 shipped 10/4/1962 to Em-Roe Sporting goods in Indianapolis, IN, 4 inch Nickel finish, checkered Goncalo Alves target grips. The smooth ones on the gun are period correct but were not delivered with the gun.

 

[ABPOS]

I swear the ramped front sight makes a Model 19 look like a zillion times better to me. The grass is always greener. I have a 6" with the partridge sight and although I like how it shoots, I would prefer the shorter barrel and different front sight.

It is a very handsome gun Earl.

 

[PALADIN85020]

An early nickeled 19 is a thing of joy, and yours is no exception. Just beautiful.

I purchased one many years ago. This 19-3 dates from 1976. The yellowish color is just a reflection of our back patio's roof!

John

 

[EarlB]

That sounds like good enough reason to not feel bad about putting a few rounds down range next time I go shooting

Earl

EarlB, congratulations on acquiring a really great, and attractive revolver. You take excellent photos.

Terms like "as new" and "unfired" (which means, not fired after the gun left the manufacturer's possession) are overused and abused.

From lots of shooting of my own revolvers, I have noticed that the first place one sees wear is on the sharp points of the stocks, particularly in the bottom, front part of the stocks. The next place one sees signs of wear is typically on the extractor rod, then the blast plate.

The points of the checkering of your gun, on the front and bottom of the stocks, is not as sharp as the points near the rear of the stocks. There is also a color difference. The worn checkering points are lighter colored than the rest of the stocks.

From that wear, I conclude that you gun has been shot many times before you took possession of the fine and attractive revolver. Nonetheless, it is a great acquisition!

 

[kobsw]

Beautiful deadly works of art, I'm jealous.

Keep em coming.

Kobsw

 

[kelzie]

When did Smith start using the gray boxes for their nickel guns?

 

[EarlB]

I think 1966 with the Bangor Punta change. Earl

When did Smith start using the gray boxes for their nickel guns?

 

[reach147]

The box is a very nice bonus

 

[sbowenjr]

Just catching up to this. Congratulations. I will check the serial on mine and get back shortly.
Great find BTW!!!

 

[sbowenjr]

My 19-1 4" nickel serial number is K464886.
I am not sure but I think yours may be only the 4th one I know to exist but to get the box as well is a amazing find and in that condition.
As I mentioned in another post most of the -1
boxes I have seen are in very poor condition.
Congratulations on a great find again.

 

[old bear]

Earl, even though I don't care for the term "Grail gun" you sure have a winner there. Take care of it, but enjoy it for what is is.

 

[EarlB]

I will. I've gotten some very nice offers from members but I can't let it go - I'll never seen another like it I'm sure. Earl

 

[runscott]

Beautiful. At the suggestion of forum members, I was looking for an early 66;however, found a 4" nickel 19-3 on GB for $545, box and papers included...so I 'settled.

 

[rct269]

Earl my man, the last thing you want to do when the sun comes out is take pictures of a nickel gun----unless you can keep it hidden from the sun. You're doing just fine without the sun.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[runscott]

Also, confused about the boxes. My 19-3 is light blue, but this 66 is dark blue, as is your 19-1.

 

[rct269]

I have no clue about S&W practices with boxes in the age of model number guns. Before that it went something along these lines: If the correct box is readily available, all well and good---use it. If it isn't, use something the gun will fit in. If that isn't even close to being an appropriate box, slap a sticker on it that says it is.

I sent a Combat Masterpiece off in its original box Friday. That's a 4" gun, so it had no problem fitting in a box for a 6" K-38. The fact the box was for a K-38 was also no problem because it had a sticker on it that said it was a Combat Masterpiece.

The moral of this story: Don't sweat the small stuff!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[runscott]

The moral of this story: Don't sweat the small stuff!

Ralph Tremaine

Not sweating, just trying to learn and senior forum members who have been around the block are most likely to have the answers, and my searches weren't effective.

From another forum: apparently Earl's 19-1 nickel is from the 'dark blue' era. By the time my 19-3 came along they were mostly putting nickel in the grey boxes and others in the dark blue. I'm guessing all the old members already knew this. And if I'm wrong, please feel free to administer my virtual wrist-slap.

Edited to add: I really can't help myself. I get into new hobbies with the history in mind and research the heck out of things until it looks like I'm picking nits. If you come across my billiard history or tobacco baseball card websites at some point, you'll understand how uninterestingly anal I can be. I recently picked up the S&WCA journals from 1969-92 and I'm sure there are box articles in some of these.

 

[EarlB]

Runscott, learning is most of the fun! Then s&w does things to really throw you for a loop too. For instance when they ran short of silver boxes for nickel guns they would still occasionally use a blue box and put nickel on the label. I have a 5" nickel 27-2 they did this on. Earl

 

[ben_g1]

Nice gun. What is the L on the back of the cylinder stand for?

I've seen that on another early gun, I believe it was a no dash 29 if I remember right.

 

[Leatherhead23]

Nice gun. What is the L on the back of the cylinder stand for?



I've seen that on another early gun, I believe it was a no dash 29 if I remember right.

Left hand threads on the ejector rod. All my 27-1's have that marking.