Newly Acquired .357 Combat Magnum (pre-Model 19)

[JayCeeNC]

Picked this one up recently, a .357 Combat Magnum (pre-Model 19) shipped in June, 1958.
With serial# K 381289 it's one of the highest serial numbers for non-model marked Combat Magnums I've seen.

 

[MKT]

Very nice looking Combat Magnum, doesn't look to have been used much, if at all.

 

[victorylarry]

That's a beauty John! Nice find and thanks for sharing.

 

[NT430]

Mr. JayCee,

Congratulations....

There it is... My current "Holy Grail" gun...

Thanks for rubbing it in....

 

[29aholic]

Sweet

Very nice John,

I believe the 4" 19 is the 6.5" 29 of the K-frame world

 

[Crazy K38]

that is a real nice gun enjoy it

 

[230grfmj]

John,

OMG!!! What a beauty you found.

I think I've only actually seen one of those pre 19s. They are certainly a rare gun, and finding one in the condition of yours is pretty remarkable.

Congratulations on making that acquisition!

 

[RKmesa]

Beautiful

Congratulations on a wonderful revolver. I too have never seen a pre numbered CM that high. The highest pre-model numbered CM in my collection is serial numbered K3180XX while the lowest model marked 19 is serial numbered K3910XX.

Once again - what a beauty!

 

[JayCeeNC]

Congratulations on a wonderful revolver. I too have never seen a pre numbered CM that high. The highest pre-model numbered CM in my collection is serial numbered K3180XX while the lowest model marked 19 is serial numbered K3910XX.

RK, I think you've got me beat on sheer volume of pre-19's, I only have two!
The SWCA database shows a number of model marked 19's with lower serial numbers than mine.

 

[j38]

John,

What a find! An unusual gun in unusually fine condition.

Regarding early 19 no-dash guns; I have K344xxx shipped in May of 1959.

Thanks for the great post,

Jerry

 

[fyimo]

congratulations on the great looking pre 19

 

[Doc44]

First, very nice Combat Magnum. It does have a high serial number for a pre-model marked revolver, but the other interesting fact is the shipping date for that s/n. I have K344014, stamped MOD-19 in the yoke cut, but it was not shipped until May 8, 1959.

Bill

 

[VM]

Very nice John!

 

[Dan M]

It looks like you found your horseshoe John , that is one sweet 357!!!!

Dan

 

[RKmesa]

RK, I think you've got me beat on sheer volume of pre-19's, I only have two!

Actually, I only have three pre-19's and three 19 (no dash) models, so you're gaining quickly.... And the one pictured above in your great photo is a real stunner.

 

[yugolovr]

WOW! Yet another shining example of K frame beauty!

 

[JayCeeNC]

First, very nice Combat Magnum. It does have a high serial number for a pre-model marked revolver, but the other interesting fact is the shipping date for that s/n. I have K344014, stamped MOD-19 in the yoke cut, but it was not shipped until May 8, 1959.
Bill

Bill, I'm thinking that a worker tripped while carrying a box of frames one day in 1956 or so, they got scattered all over the factory floor, then were just piled up somewhere and grabbed haphazardly out of the pile for a few years thereafter!

At any rate, thanks to all for the nice comments.

 

[j38]

for Doc44.

Bill,

My no dash is K344429 and was also shipped May 8, 1959 - to the Haseltine Company here in Portland that no longer exists.

Sorry for the thread drift,

Jerry

 

[Wickahoney]

I have K318611, K318777 and K318849. All are 4" blued Model 19 marked Combat Magnums. These are 3 of 7 a buddy and I bought from the agency we worked for some years after they were retired. They were delivered to Northwest Police Supply for the Wasco County Sheriff's office in The Dalles, OR in Sept of 1958.

All 7 are in the K318xxx range.

Ross

 

[Doc44]

Jerry...My 19 was shipped to Gopher Shooters Supply in Faribault, MN.

Bill

 

[diamonback68]

Picked this one up recently, a .357 Combat Magnum (pre-Model 19) shipped in June, 1958.
With serial# K 381289 it's one of the highest serial numbers for non-model marked Combat Magnums I've seen.

John, can we get a picture of the left side of the gun? Just curious as to whether it has the groove behind the knurl on the ejector rod. Wondering if it is possible that you have the illusive -1 that was somehow just not stamped model marked? Just a thought.

 

[JayCeeNC]

Just curious as to whether it has the groove behind the knurl on the ejector rod. Wondering if it is possible that you have the illusive -1 that was somehow just not stamped model marked?

Diamondback, no groove.

 

[Doc44]

Another interesting thing about the Combat Magnum is the style of ampersand on the right side of the frame. It looks like the one that was used in 60-62 and seen on the 19-1 models. Earlier shipped guns and later shipped guns all have the the longer and flatter ampersand.

It would be expected that a revolver with this serial number should have been shipped as a Model 19 in 1959, but, for some reason, was shipped much earlier as a Combat Magnum. It is a mystery that will most likely never be solved. If the gun was shipped in June of 1959, I could see where it just did not have the model number stamped on it. I have seen that on several 44 Magnums.

Bill

 

[1Aspenhill]

John,
Great find and great gun! You did find an interesting one which all above point out that it probably should have been a model marked gun, but I like your theory!
Thanks for sharing,
Bill

 

[Janx11]

I've got a very low serial # pre 19 Combat Magnum I picked up a couple months ago, but it's not as good looking as that one! Mines # 26012x. Have fun with it!

J

 

[Engine49guy]

Congrats on your new pre 19 John,
I thought K318000 was high for non model marked pre 19's but your serial is very high .
Are you sure that K381219 isnt actually K318219 ?

On a side note your gun also has the long pin protrusion through the front of the ejector rod shroud early guns seem to have.

 

[ditrina]

BEE-U-TEE-FUL... it's a " Just WOW" gun....
Thanks for sharing..