New to Me 19-3 Revolver

[wweste]

Long story of my acquisition of a 1975 S & W 19-3. A long time friend passed away just before Christmas. We went to junior high and high school together, were college roommates for one year, and he was the best man at our wedding (nearly 53 years ago). He was nine days older than I am. Our paths went different ways for ten years. I went into the Navy Seabees and he stayed in college and then became a bus driver. He became a deputy sheriff in Laramie County, Wyoming in 1978. I became a deputy in the same agency in 1979. He stayed for 25 years. I stayed for four years and moved to the Wyoming Highway Patrol for 15 years and was chief ranger at Wyoming State Parks for 19 years. When I retired from Parks in 2018 I joined a group that shared coffee on Fridays that he was a member of. We had coffee on Dec 17, but he did not show up on Dec 24.

The following week we found out he had passed away before Christmas. I am helping his sister dispose of his estate. One of his pistols in a S & W 19-3, serial number 7K333XX. From other posts here I have identified it as a 1975 model. Today I received custody of the revolver and will actually purchase it soon. I know he carried it as a duty sidearm for a while and carried it in a shoulder holster as a backup gun. It is modestly worn from a holster, has a couple of spots that are trying to become rusty and it looks like it was dropped on the muzzle at some time. I have stoned to sharp edges off.

I will treasure the pistol for the rest of my life and shoot the heck out of it!

 

[LPD256]

It's great that you got your friend's gun. That's an honor for you. Looking forward to Frontier Days this year.

 

[John Patrick]

Nice revolver, tough way to acquire it.

 

[JP@AK]

A fine revolver and a good story. Sorry for your loss.

A few years ago, I was in Hulett with my wife, where I officiated at the funeral for my best buddy from 'Nam days. Wonderful country.

Enjoy your memories.

 

[wweste]

LPD,

I worked 36 years of Frontier Days as a deputy, highway patrolman and park ranger. I don't go to very many events.

Bill

 

[bamabiker]

Good for you. Nice way to remember a friend.

 

[LPD256]

LPD,

I worked 36 years of Frontier Days as a deputy, highway patrolman and park ranger. I don't go to very many events.

Bill

My sister lives in Cheyenne halfway between downtown and the park. We can hear the music in her back yard and walk to the park or walk downtown to the parades. Nice to see her and her family. This year we see Brooks and Dunn. I used to work the State Fair every August. I understand. Haha.

 

[Rudi]

Sad for your long time friend. So good it went to you. A classic classic!

 

[firefighterjohn]

Sorry for your loss of a long time friend and fellow LEO. Treasuring his trusted revolver will be a great way to remind you of all the good times you shared together. Rest assured he will be looking down at you with a huge smile every time you fire a round of at the range in his memory.

 

[BE Mike]

Great heirloom and way to remember your friend. Looking at that rusty grip screw, I'd take the grips off and see what is under them. I have a 4" model 19-3. It was owned by a border patrol agent, then by a deputy U.S. marshal, by my father who was a small town police commissioner and now by me. I used it 3 days ago to shoot a LEOSA qualification course!

 

[wweste]

I have removed the grips and cleaned the grip frame. There were some marginal spots that cleaned up well. I have ordered Magna grips from E Bay to provide a smaller grip size.

 

[wweste]

I purchased the revolver today, so now it is mine. One of my children will have to resolve the next phase of ownership. Two in law enforcement and one retired military.