My 19-1
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Maybe, maybe not. the -1 was made in 1959 and '60, possibly some were assembled in 1961. But they didn't all ship in those years. The serial number will help decide its ship date, but all we can do is guess. To find out for sure when it left the factory, you would have to purchase a letter from the S&W Historical Foundation for $100.
For a Model 19-1 in that condition with box? Heck no, regardless of barrel length, which you did not mention. Which barrel does it have? Some of them would command an even higher price.
What barrel length? The value varies with barrel length.
Understand "mint" means none, zero, not one defect in the finish and absolutely no signs of wear or usage. Not saying that the one found is not mint, it is just a term that gets tossed around pretty loosely in gun circles.
I have not been watching values on 19's for a while so do not care to offer an opinion on the price. Hopefully, an expert will come along and offer some help.
Understand "mint" means none, zero, not one defect in the finish and absolutely no signs of wear or usage. Not saying that the one found is not mint, it is just a term that gets tossed around pretty loosely in gun circles.
I have not been watching values on 19's for a while so do not care to offer an opinion on the price. Hopefully, an expert will come along and offer some help.
High condition with the ORIGINAL box will always command a premium. Any special features? The Model 19 has been on a tear, value-wise, in recent months. At $1400 I would not say that is crazy money. Offer what you are comfortable paying, and if ya just gotta have it, go for it. Life is short.
I had a near mint 19-1, slight turn line,that I got $1600 for in one day I believe. No box.
I used to follow 19-1s a lot when I owned mine and found that all but one gun shipped in 1962. I guess they were selling quickly.
Another interesting thing is that almost every box I have looked at here or on other auctions, the writing on the box was in red ink.
I used to follow 19-1s a lot when I owned mine and found that all but one gun shipped in 1962. I guess they were selling quickly.
Another interesting thing is that almost every box I have looked at here or on other auctions, the writing on the box was in red ink.
You know, that is an interesting point, and it has been made before. Makes me wonder.
The decision to change the threads on the extractor rod was apparently made in 1959. But that does not mean any 19-1 revolvers were actually made that year. Existing supplies of parts in stock and the production schedule would both have had an effect on the process. Since the vast majority of these revolvers shipped in 1962, one could easily believe that actual assembly started a lot later than 1959 or even 1960.
Stroker468
Member
Gotta love it!
Good decision, Firefox! I never know what's gonna happen in the future, so I buy it if I will enjoy it now.
Caveat: This is my personal opinion only. I know others feel quite differently for lots of reasons.
Personally, I have no use for a 6" Combat Magnum. I love the 4" and 2 1/2" variants. But I have a bunch of 6" K-38 Masterpiece revolvers and tend to shoot them often. So if I want to shoot a K target frame .357 caliber revolver, one of the K-38s goes out with me. For target work, the .38 Special has plenty of gusto and I tend to shoot them well (if I want to shoot a magnum, then there are several N frames in my safe available for use). And while I do shoot my Combat Magnums, I shoot mostly .38 Special in the 4" and 2 1/2" guns.
The 4" Model 19-3 shown below is one of my favorite revolvers and has had many bullets down the barrel over the years. It has often been the gun I use for instructing (I'm NRA certified), especially with young shooters, which is why it wears Magna stocks most of the time.
If a nice 6" Model 19 came along at a good price, I would probably buy it, but I have never gone looking for one and probably never will.
Personally, I have no use for a 6" Combat Magnum. I love the 4" and 2 1/2" variants. But I have a bunch of 6" K-38 Masterpiece revolvers and tend to shoot them often. So if I want to shoot a K target frame .357 caliber revolver, one of the K-38s goes out with me. For target work, the .38 Special has plenty of gusto and I tend to shoot them well (if I want to shoot a magnum, then there are several N frames in my safe available for use). And while I do shoot my Combat Magnums, I shoot mostly .38 Special in the 4" and 2 1/2" guns.
The 4" Model 19-3 shown below is one of my favorite revolvers and has had many bullets down the barrel over the years. It has often been the gun I use for instructing (I'm NRA certified), especially with young shooters, which is why it wears Magna stocks most of the time.
If a nice 6" Model 19 came along at a good price, I would probably buy it, but I have never gone looking for one and probably never will.
I bought my dash one back in March or April. IIRC it was about $650.00, but it had been used and showed it, and there was no box or anything with it.
I still haven't gotten around to shooting it.
Edited to add: S/N in in the 458XXX range.
I still haven't gotten around to shooting it.
Edited to add: S/N in in the 458XXX range.
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First, $1400 is a decent price for a Model 19-1 in the condition you describe. Second, the Model 19-1s I have owned or know of were shipped in 1962 with one being shipped in 1963. The change to the extractor rod with a left-hand thread took over 2 1/2 years to implement for this model.
The Model 19-1 shown below was shipped in August 1962. Click on the photo for a closer look.
Bill
The Model 19-1 shown below was shipped in August 1962. Click on the photo for a closer look.
Bill
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I've been keeping my eyes open for more common versions in my area, and what I am seeing is $700~800 for a 4" 19-3 or -4 if it shows little or no wear except for the turn ring. Maybe $100 more with matching box and papers (asking prices).
According to the SCSW book, a Model 19-1 value is DOUBLE that of the more guns, "in higher grades". So (as hard as it would be for me to open my wallet that wide), the asking price above seems to be in line with that.
According to the SCSW book, a Model 19-1 value is DOUBLE that of the more guns, "in higher grades". So (as hard as it would be for me to open my wallet that wide), the asking price above seems to be in line with that.
Deceasedeye
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High side today Low side tomorrow!
There's a saying to the effect of you can never pay too much for a gun, you might just pay it too soon.
You said it has the original box. How about tools and papers?
If it's "mint" with tools and papers along with the original case, I'd say you're in the ball park.
Please post some pics when you get it.
You said it has the original box. How about tools and papers?
If it's "mint" with tools and papers along with the original case, I'd say you're in the ball park.
Please post some pics when you get it.
Hair Trigger
US Veteran
Yes, tools and papers. Pics coming soon.
Great gun to start a collection with, but you set the bar really high for yourself.
Right! Now I need to go find another revolver I am willing to put rounds through!
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