Model 19-3 grip printing

[rae8836]

I've got an inherited 19-3 2.5". Revolver has original smooth (non-checkered) 'Target' grips. Based on comments in another thread, I pulled off the grips for the first time. Discovered a couple of things: 1) while the grips are square-bottomed and completely cover the frame, turns out the revolver is round-butt 2) the serial number is on the bottom of the butt, covered by the grips. Also, there was black ink printing on the inside of the right side grip. Some fairly large block capital letters ran across the grip screw holes. The holes broke up the letters, but it looks like they could have been "NRK" or some other sequence of three or four block capital letters. Below these letters, and quite clearly printed, were the numbers "4110". Since I have every reason to believe these are the original grips, am I correct in assuming that this revolver was produced on the 110th day of 1964?

RAE

 

[skeezix]

Welcome to SWF.

Does your gun look like this with the stocks mounted?


If so, you have square-butt target stocks on a round-butt gun. Those are not the original nor correct stocks. A picture of your gun would help determine exactly what stocks are on it.

The letters and numbers are S&W part numbers and have nothing to do with the "production date" of the gun. Post the serial number (including any alphas) on the butt of the gun and we can give you an approximate factory shipping date.

The stocks that most likely came on the gun are "magnas" and they leave the gun's grip frame exposed on front, back, and bottom.


With those stocks, the gun would look like this one.

 

[rae8836]

Thanks for the response....

The serial number on the gun is 1K50xxx. 'Tribal knowledge' within the family is that it was a former Federal weapon. Bluing shows holster wear but gun is mechanically excellent. Checked for 'frame cuts' or throat cracks and neither exists.

The butt is definitely rounded as in your picture and the grips themselves have extra cut-out space as if they were in fact intended for a flat-bottomed butt.

Any suppositions you might have would be appreciated.

RAE

 

[Dennis The B]

Your Model 19-3...

...was produced in 1971, based on your serial number.

It could be that the original owner didn't like the round-butt stocks, and added the square-butt stocks to better fit his hand.

The only way to ascertain its original destination, would be to obtain a letter from S&W. It will tell you to where it was first shipped.

 

[rae8836]

Thanks, Dennis.

I need to get some rounds through it before I decide which way to jump. Very much appreciate your input......

RAE