I want to finish this story. I went back to the LGS this morning to pick up some primers, and found that same Model 19-3 sitting back in the case. The other buyer took the rubber grips off before he forked over his money and found that a previous owner had engraved his D/L just under the grips and changed his mind. I had already left the store by this time.
I checked out the dull chromed trigger and hammer. They looked unpolished, we're nice and tight, and it had one of the smoothest triggers I have pulled, both single and double action. I said I'd take it and again asked if there was any box or even a rug to go with it, and again the owner said no.
As we walked to the counter, a new young man working there saw what I was buying and asked if I wanted the box for it. I said yes and he came out of the back room carrying the original blue paper box. Inside was the wrapping paper, original grips, manual and screw driver, etc all in mint condition. He told the owner that the last owner had brought them by a few days after he had dropped off the gun.
Yes, there is a D/L engraved under the grips, but are well hidden with the grips on. Here in Northern California I never find much in the clean, used gun market. I am very happy I ran out of primers the other day and ran into this gun today!
