Model 19 in .22

[Aussie44]

Was the of the above gun ever mass produced.
Reason I ask is about 25 years ago ( When I lived down South ) a mate of mine said he had S&W build him one.I saw and fired the above gun and it was an exact copy.This mate was rich,He had double rifles that were worth thousands ( Belonged to the maharajah's )and were the real thing from the start of the century.Fired his H&H 600 NE.ect ect
So does it exist or is it a one and only,Never saw another one but he still has his..

Ken

 

[Doc44]

S&W could easily build one on special order, but never marketed one. However, the Model 53 with a .22 long rifle cylinder would be just about the same gun as a Model 19 in .22 long rifle caliber.

Bill

 

[flagman1776]

The model marking is in the yoke cut out in the frame, so if someone were to build a .22LR on a M19 frame, then it would be a M19.
M19 barrel has the shroud around the ejector rod... I suppose a .357 barrel could be relined to 22LR but why? And that is skipping the problem of the firing pin (Center Fire to Rim Fire).

As stated, a K22 would be the same K frame size, same sights, except for the exposed ejector rod, same barrel (twin to K38 & often used as a trainer). My suspicion is it is a (4") M18 ".22 Combat Masterpiece" or (6") M17 "K22 Masterpiece". M48 "K22 Masterpiece M.R.F," are .22 Mag (4", 6", 8 3/8"), and some were made with aux 22LR cylinders. These were normal catalog offerings late 70s. I have the old catalog on my desk as I write this.

It may be that the gun was special ordered for him... or it may be that a shop owners BSed him... charged him a premium for a hard to get model.
Russ

 

[Göring's S&W]

I think it could also be a model 18 mislabeled as model 19 and 357 mag on the barrel? I know I read about similiar occurences for other makes and models of S&W.

 

[SmithNut]

And that is skipping the problem of the firing pin (Center Fire to Rim Fire).

But that problem is not an easy one to address. The hammer would need significant modifications to hit the rim of the rimfire, or the gun would need to be made with a frame mounted firing pin, ala the M18.
My guess is that the gentleman was possibly looking at a M53, or pre-model numbered K22 Magnum as has been mentioned. Or, with enough green, maybe a special order, but that would need to be from a well linked and influential person to the factory presumably.

 

[dant]

But that problem is not an easy one to address. The hammer would need significant modifications to hit the rim of the rimfire, or the gun would need to be made with a frame mounted firing pin, ala the M18.
My guess is that the gentleman was possibly looking at a M53, or pre-model numbered K22 Magnum as has been mentioned. Or, with enough green, maybe a special order, but that would need to be from a well linked and influential person to the factory presumably.

I agree, and bottom line "why"??? its NOT a model 19 if it s a rimfire...sounds more like a "mismarked"( possibly modified the number, that would be easy enough to do) model 18 to me......

 

[M29since14]

S&W could easily build one on special order, but never marketed one. However, the Model 53 with a .22 long rifle cylinder would be just about the same gun as a Model 19 in .22 long rifle caliber.

Bill

That's what I was thinking.

 

[feralmerril]

A model 18 wouldnt have the ejector houseing. A 4" model 53 with the available just .22 lr clyinder with a model 17 or 18 hammer and "Viola" you would have a model 19 in .22 lr, but the markings would be a problem.

 

[perrazi]

wouldn't need a different hammer. model 53 came with a 2 position hammer for either rim or center fire. had a small switch in the middle of the hammer on the top.

 

[feralmerril]

Yes, I know. I own a model 53. I was comeing from the standpoint of trying to make a .22lr that "looks" exactly like a model 19 except for caliber. I once had similar with a set of old model colt troopers. I carried a .357 on the job and had a .22 lr for practice. Even had the hammer on the .22lr built up like the target hammer on the .357. I stupidly sold the .357 but still own its mate the .22. I recently bought a nickle .38 trooper.

 

[Aussie44]

No this is not a M53 or 18.It was an exact copy of a M19 in .22 cal.Ejector housing like a M19,The only difference was the hammer,No firing pin on the hammer or set up like a M53.He did say it was made for him on special order ( He got this .22 M19, A M19 and M29 at the same time).The only way to tell the difference was the holes in the cylinder and end of the barrel.I will try and get in touch with him (Haven't seen him for over 15 years ) to get more details and pics.


Ken

 

[feralmerril]

I suppose if you have enough money a company will do anything that they say they wont! I have heard they will make special runs of guns like for lew horton etc of 300 or more. I also bet certain workers in the companys do G-jobs for themselfs. I know I would be tempted to come up with my own creation! One of my best friends worked for one of the big 3 car manufactors. He told me they would order and make a car on their 15% discount, follow the car down the line, (they knew everybody), put in heavy duty batterys, radiators etc. They would order the cheapest model and stuff it with the best stuff!

 

[Roadranger]

One of my friends, a retired LE and armorer, and long time S&W shooter tells me that he saw with his own eyes, a M19 marked revolver in 22lr at a gun show in Birmingham a few years ago. It was very pricey, so he didn't get it. Certainly, S&W had all of the parts to make it happen, a unmarked M53 barrel and a unmarked M17 frame could easily be made into and stamped M19. Bob!