Model 19 serial number locations

[farandfine]

Hello, I'm not at all knowledgeable when it comes to S&Ws. And I'm hoping that some of you out there who really are experts can help me with some questions I have.

I have a model 19-3 (four inch barrel), and I like the piece so well that I'm looking at a very nice Model 19-3 snub nose which, from the serial number on the butt of the frame (8K64xxx) is about a 1973-75 piece. My puzzlement stems from the fact that on the revolver's crane, the only number stamped is 34(illegible)4(illegible). Does this suggest that the piece has a replacement crane? The cylinder (on which I find no numbers) is very nice, indeed, which makes me wonder if it is also a replacement.

I suppose my only real concern is that if the crane and maybe cylinder are replacements, how does this effect the value of the piece...If only for the sake of pride,one doesn't want to be taken.

Hope some of you can help me out here. Thanks for any efforts taken on behalf of my plaintive cry.

Cheers,
John

 

[Engine49guy]

IIRC the four and six inch Model 19-3 came standard with the larger target stocks (that covered the serial on the heel) so
S&W stamped the serial in the yoke cut so the stocks didnt need to be removed to read the serial.

The snub Model 19's came with Magna stocks that exposed the serial on the heel so there was no need to stamp the serial in the yoke cut.

 

[murphydog]

The "crane" (yoke arm in S & W speak) will have an assembly number stamped on it, unrelated to the SN. Often you will find the same number stamped on the bottom side of the grip frame, and (in certain eras) on the inside of the sideplate. If they are present and matching you know they were originally together at the factory.

 

[armorer951]

The serial number would be on the frame under the yoke. The numbers on the yoke itself are factory work numbers, which also appear on the left side of the grip frame, under the grips.

There may be a serial number on the underside of the extractor, but I believe the practice of marking the serial number on the cylinder itself may have been discontinued by the time your revolver was produced. The changes made over the years in serial number marking practices, in terms of where they are marked on the frame, barrel, and cylinder assy often varied, along with the phase out of certain marking practices.....like on the barrel and cylinder for instance.

 

[farandfine]

Thank you!

Hello,

All three of you were most helpful, Thank you! And a special thank you to Murphydog. I was able to find the assembly numbers just where you indicated, i.e., on the yoke, the inside of the butt, and the inside of the side plate, and they all match. So it does appear to be all of a piece. Hurrah!

And the idea that S&W stamped serial numbers on the yokes of the pieces equipped with the butt serial numbers covered by grips, but not on the short barreled guns usually equipped with magnas (I think that's what they're called), is an interesting piece of corporate efficiency...and I'm not being sarcastic when I say that.

Cheers and thanks,
John

 

[murphydog]

You're very welcome. Just to add, the location just under the barrel where the SN is stamped on Target stocked guns is called the "yoke cutout"...

 

[S&WsRsweet]

Those serial numbers and nuances can be very intimidating ,but these guys are a wealth of knowledge and help ,I never new why S&W changed where they put numbers on snubs with magnas huh manufacturing reasons now I know why my boss was th boss and I was the worker.