Hi all. Just wished to share with you my Christmas gifts from Dad. These were his service revolvers from his 28 yrs of active service & another 7 yrs of contract work w the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. Two LNIB Model 19s. One is a -3 (1971) & the other a -4 (1978). Only a few 38 spcls ran through them. Wow!
Model 19 Christmas
- Thread starter 1911Mike
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Nothing beats being passed from your father to you, you've got a great dad. Enjoy having him around as well as those beautiful 19s.
Family "Heirloom" guns...... both P&R
"a few .38spcls...." they must have an a pretty easy semi-annual qualification course...LOL
"a few .38spcls...." they must have an a pretty easy semi-annual qualification course...LOL
Welcome to the forum, 1911Mike. 
Gorgeous examples and a fine legacy gift. Did your Dad have them reblued before giving them to you, or were they that remarkably preserved through the decades? And -4's stocks are beautiful and interesting -- factory but non-standard?
Gorgeous examples and a fine legacy gift. Did your Dad have them reblued before giving them to you, or were they that remarkably preserved through the decades? And -4's stocks are beautiful and interesting -- factory but non-standard?
Nice looking guns.....I see your dad liked diamond targets.
fthorsby
Member
The grips on the 19-3, look early. I don't see a football cut. Is it just the lighting? Beautiful guns, I really love the M19.
Very nice gifts. Tell your father thanks for his work there in SoCal, and welcome to the forum.
It's the lighting; the -3 is the upper of the two in the first picture and has football cuts. The -4 on the bottom has an unusual relief but apparently factory (modified?) and darn good-looking.
george_lehr
Member
Great Christmas gifts! I agree with those that say that the Combat Magnum is one of the greatest revolvers S&W ever produced. You are very lucky my friend.
But those grips are special. I don't believe that either gun would've come with diamond targets and the ones on the 19-4 have an unusually large checkered area, like the N frame cokes. They are admirable and I wonder if there's a story that goes with them.
George
But those grips are special. I don't believe that either gun would've come with diamond targets and the ones on the 19-4 have an unusually large checkered area, like the N frame cokes. They are admirable and I wonder if there's a story that goes with them.
George
Welcome to the forum, 1911Mike.
Gorgeous examples and a fine legacy gift. Did your Dad have them reblued before giving them to you, or were they that remarkably preserved through the decades? And -4's stocks are beautiful and interesting -- factory but non-standard?
Hapworth, Thanks for your warm welcome. Great forum!
Pops wore these rarely. They're 100% original. Yes, -3 has a football cut but -4 does not.
His everyday carry piece is & was an M/38 Airweight. Still sits in his car's console.
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I'm sorry I didn't welcome you.
I didn't realize it was your first post.
Great start.
This is just for your knowledge
The diamond targets would not have come on either of those guns.
They are nice and valuable too
I didn't realize it was your first post.
Great start.
This is just for your knowledge
The diamond targets would not have come on either of those guns.
They are nice and valuable too
Probably a gap in my knowledge, but, are you sure about the -3? I thought they started in '66, and diamonds phased out around '68?
Thanks, Paul! After further inspection, these appear to have been retrofitted at some time. Inside of -4has pencil marking "S&W 15". Inside grip of -3 has "260 543" stamped into wood. Thanks all for your great comments!
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The 19-3 serial number on the box is later than 68 and he mentioned it as a 1971 gun.
I think I happened to catch that part and you may not have.
Btw in my eyes diamonds always look real good
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If they didn't come with diamonds, they should have.
Outstanding gift and guns. Enjoy them.
Outstanding gift and guns. Enjoy them.
Welcome to the Forum Mike.
If that don't plant the S&W seed in you, nothing will! Keep them forever. Again, thank you Dad for us...
Great stuff!!!
If that don't plant the S&W seed in you, nothing will! Keep them forever.
Again, thank you Dad for us...Great stuff!!!
Thanks, Guys!
Pops says that he bought both through the Sheriff's Office. He's pretty sure they're both as purchased. When I asked if he put different grips on them, he laughed & said, "Beats me, it was 40 years ago. I don't remember what I ate for breakfast!"
Pops says that he bought both through the Sheriff's Office. He's pretty sure they're both as purchased. When I asked if he put different grips on them, he laughed & said, "Beats me, it was 40 years ago. I don't remember what I ate for breakfast!"
Engine49guy
Member
Greetings Mike and welcome to the wonderful world of S&W's !
Very nice intro , but be warned as you begin to appreciate S&W revolvers other handguns inevitably take the back seat !
Very nice 19-3 and 19-4, Correct factory stocks for your pair would most likely have been non diamond Goncalo Alves targets, the 19-3 would have had black washers inside and the 19-4 most likely would have SS washers inside.
The Walnut stocks on the lower pictured gun have been slightly modified and serial K-260543 would most likely have been an early "Pre" Model 19" that shipped sometime in mid 1956.
The darker Walnut pair were standard issue on Model 19's from 1956 to to the mid 60's.
Very nice intro , but be warned as you begin to appreciate S&W revolvers other handguns inevitably take the back seat !
Very nice 19-3 and 19-4, Correct factory stocks for your pair would most likely have been non diamond Goncalo Alves targets, the 19-3 would have had black washers inside and the 19-4 most likely would have SS washers inside.
The Walnut stocks on the lower pictured gun have been slightly modified and serial K-260543 would most likely have been an early "Pre" Model 19" that shipped sometime in mid 1956.
The darker Walnut pair were standard issue on Model 19's from 1956 to to the mid 60's.
Icopy1
Member
What a great first post! Thank you sharing those nice Smiths.
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