New (to me) Model 19-2 Pinto

[Yogi123]

Greetings fourm, long time reader first time poster. I was lucky enough to come across this old gem when a guy I work with was asking about selling some guns he had. I told him I would take a look and see what we were working with. He produced this beauty a S&W Model 19-2. Looks to be a factory pinto too!!! I have done some of the reseach but was hoping you fine folks could school me up a little more about the pintos. The forcing cone is fine, and there is little, if any, noticeable flame cutting. I plan on shooting mostly .38s (for comfort and cost). I would like to run .357s through it every once in a while but will stick with 158g (which seems to be the "safe" bet). Any info anyone is will to share I would be greatful.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

If it were me I'd send for a factory letter. I'm sure my friend and resident expert Dwalt will be by to give you the correct information as to ship date and if it shipped as you know have it.

 

[TAROMAN]

Very nice revolver.
Be sure to remove that old rubber grip to check underneath for rust or pitting.
These things are moisture traps.

 

[Doc44]

The 19-2 looks correct for a two-tone, but a factory letter is the only way to absolutely know. I would spend the $50 for a letter. You can check to see if there is an N on the cylinder under the extractor and on the rear surface of the extractor rod shroud (you have to open the revolver and look at the back of the shroud where it meets the frame). If the Ns are there, the revolver is most likely correct, but if they are not, the letter is even more important. The letter will also confirm the target hammer and trigger. Does the 19-2 have a white outline rear sight?

Bill

 

[firemanhank]

It is a beautiful gun. I hope it letters to a factory pinto..

 

[Yogi123]

The serial number on the cylinder, extractor and frame match K544 XXX. The cylinder has a star stamped under the extractor as well as in the ejector rod shroud. The number on the yoke is 689XX with a 2 and H4 stamped on there too. It does have the white outline on the rear sight. I did take the grips off and and check everything out and all seems to be well. Looks to be in great overall shape after a good cleaning. Who would I talk to / call to go about getting a letter from S&W? Do I just contact customer service? I appreciate all the feedback. Thank you.

 

[410bore]

the star in the ejector shroud and ejector star do not bode well for a factory pinto. It sounds to me like it was sent back for a refinish. what stampings does the gun have on the left side of the grip-frame?

 

[Yogi123]

The left side of the grip frame has the same serial number as the yoke, 689XX with two 3s (a large one and a small one) and the letter H.

 

[pinto]

Pinto says:

 

[Doc44]

Factory letter...click on Downloads near the top of the screen and then find Factory Letter Request Form. You can print it and follow the instructions on the form. The current wait time for a factory letter is twenty plus weeks.

Bill

 

[Yogi123]

The factory letter has arrived, not a pinto. It was shipped from the factory in March of 1964 to Rex Firearms Co, in NY. It was blue with Goncalo target grips (which I have since acquired). The letter states the "pinto" was an aftermarket job, but the SN of the frame, barrel and cylinder match. Is that common in the aftermarket gun community to stamp the SN of the gun onto the cylinder and to the rear face of the barrel? Either way it was like opening a Christmas present.

 

[murphydog]

If the font (style) of the barrel and cylinder numbers are factory original, it is possible the gun was returned there for the finish/parts change and number matched to the frame. As it would have been done after the initial sale/shipment, the history letter would/could not reflect this. Close-up photos of those areas would be helpful.

 

[Doc44]

Based on your information, I would say the Combat Magnum was returned to S&W for the two-tone finish. S&W numbered the cylinder and barrel when the revolver was taken apart so they would be kept together. This is also seen on guns returned for engraving and refinishing.

Bill

 

[RKmesa]

The factory letter has arrived, not a pinto. It was shipped from the factory in March of 1964 to Rex Firearms Co, in NY. It was blue with Goncalo target grips (which I have since acquired). The letter states the "pinto" was an aftermarket job, but the SN of the frame, barrel and cylinder match. Is that common in the aftermarket gun community to stamp the SN of the gun onto the cylinder and to the rear face of the barrel? Either way it was like opening a Christmas present.

I will tell you that sometimes the factory records are not 100% definitive on the classification of the pinto guns, in spite of the fact that they are the best records that Roy has to work with. There was a discussion on this issue in another recent thread on the Forum (see post 5 on this very topic here http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/454423-trio-blue-nickel-blue-nickel.html). Rex Firearms purchased a lot of factory "pimped out" S&Ws and many of the pintos that letter as such were shipped to Rex in NY and HH Harris in Chicago. I own only one model 19 pinto, but I also own a bunch of pre-27 pintos and will tell you that from your one photo, your gun looks factory original to me. [EDITED: I see that I missed the OP's post on the star in the shroud and under the ejector star - clearly a factory refinish] Are you sure that there are no re-work marks on the side of the grip frame (under the grips) or a diamond in the barrel shroud, or a star by the SN on the grip frame?

Anyway, I think she is a beauty and would love to see some additional photos now that you have some wood stocks on her.

Thanks,

 

[Doc44]

Richard...there is a star stamped in the extractor rod shroud and under the extractor on the cylinder. I believe these stampings indicate a factory refinish of these parts.

Bill

 

[RKmesa]

Richard...there is a star stamped in the extractor rod shroud and under the extractor on the cylinder. I believe these stampings indicate a factory refinish of these parts.

Bill

Bill:

Duh - I feel pretty slow this morning... I need to slow down and read all of the posts a little closer before I start typing... I totally missed the OP's post:

...The cylinder has a star stamped under the extractor as well as in the ejector rod shroud...

I will correct my thoughts - definitely a factory refinish - but a very beautiful 19-2!!

Also - when the letters come back on a pinto that are not definitive that it left the factory as a two-tone, the factory records usually refers to them as "bright nickel"...

 

[WisconsinKen]

Regardless of the way it has found it's way into it's current form, that is still one fine looking pinto!
I had one friend refer to a pinto as something that had to be obviously a hodge podge mixture of two different guns so it probably was not safe to shoot. Just wish that person inherited a safe full of them so I could get my hands on them for a reasonable price

 

[Yogi123]

Thank you to everyone for your responses. I really appreciate all your insights. She may have started her life as a blue pistol, but she has found a happy home with me as my pinto. Based on all of your inputs and my own researching I think its a safe bet that it was returned to the factory at some point and given the two-tone finish we see today, even if the factory letter doesn't specifically say so. Thank you to everyone again. Here are a few photos for you visual people.

 

[doowtag]

Other than aesthetics is there any practical reason for a "pinto"?

 

[Engine49guy]

Very nice Pinto !
I have two that shipped in April 64 (Birth year for me)
On a side note the correct style grips would have been football relieved checkered Diamond targets similar to the ones pictured below.


The ones in your picture are "Speed loader cut" checkered targets that are most likely from the 1980's.