Old M19 with name engraved on sideplate?

[Karl in NY]

I have an opportunity to buy an old blue M19 snubbie, but the possible deal-breaker is that the owner's name is deeply engraved on the side-plate...it was a retirement gift when he stepped-down from police chief about 30 years ago. Sorry, don't know the "dash" number.

I realize this engraving diminishes the value of the gun greatly, unless it was presented that way to a famous person, which is not the case here.

Any idea of whether S&W will replace a sideplate, or whether this could be welded over then surface-ground, then refinished? My limited understanding is that sideplates of that era required hand-fitting and were not simply a drop-in part...

Suggestions welcomed, including possible costs involved...

-Karl

 

[murphydog]

Probably the most direct fix would be to have a sideplate of similar vintage fitted; but the finish may not match, in which case you would probably have to refinish the entire gun to make it right...or, if it is at the right price, just shoot it and enjoy.

 

[Karl in NY]

I'm even considering filling in the engraving with epoxy, then refinishing the entire gun with Cerakote or other spray-on finish...

 

[ken158]

I have a few blue K frame sideplates taken off destroyed guns. If you make a deal I will give you a good price on one.

 

[Nframecollector]

Can you post any pictures of the gun?

 

[Mike McLellan]

There have been instances, not many, when a person's name engraved on the gun actually enhanced it's value. It depends on the quality of the engraving, notoriety of the person, etc.

 

[Welder1]

Personally I would leave it. I think it adds a story to a nice old 19. No matter how you remove the engraving the gun will always be non original. Negotiate the price reflecting the side plate and make up your own story to go with it. Tell the guys it was Wyatt Earps great grandsons retirement gun.

 

[Karl in NY]

Good engraving, non-famous person, think the engraving was actually done by S&W as a special order ~30 years ago....thinking of filling the engraving with epoxy, then refinishing with Cera-Hide or similar spray (rather than plated) finish. Maybe olive-drab, or flat-dark-earth...I realize collector value would then be be nill, and the gun would become just a "shooter", but it went back to S&W right after purchase for action work, and it's the smoothest M19 I have ever encountered...

 

[shouldazagged]

Just my opinion, but if it's to be a shooter and wasn't purchased as an investment, why bother? There's a story behind the engraving. May be an unexciting one, probably is, but it could be fun to find out.

I guess I just like artifacts with a history, and have only been able to buy guns as shooters anyway.

 

[Karl in NY]

I have a few blue K frame sideplates taken off destroyed guns. If you make a deal I will give you a good price on one.

Do they typically require custom fitting?

What is a "good price", and would it have to match the same "dash" number?

 

[Big Lou]

I admit I'm a little bias in my opinion, but I'd consider it a privilege if I owned an engraved gun of a retired Chief of Police. It wouldn't matter if the department was small or large.

I'd leave it as is. It's more than a gun…it's a small part of history.

 

[Retired W4]

I admit I'm a little bias in my opinion, but I'd consider it a privilege if I owned an engraved gun of a retired Chief of Police. It wouldn't matter if the department was small or large.

I'd leave it as is. It's more than a gun…it's a small part of history.

Before I refinish the gun I would invest the $50 for a factory letter. That might confirm that S&W did the engraving as a special order. There are many police gun collectors out there. History.

 

[murphydog]

Do they typically require custom fitting?

What is a "good price", and would it have to match the same "dash" number?

Yes, there is enough variation in frames and side plates to require custom fitting, both at factory assembly or replacement.

Value is dependent on its condition and barrel length, plus there is generally a premium for earlier versions. This information or a photo would help. A worn long barreled one may bring $400, and a rare barrel length may be worth $2000 (like a 3 or 5"). Not sure I understand the second half of the question about a "dash number match"?

 

[SgtLumpy]

I'm thinking that finding another 19 and having the action smoothed might be a simpler approach than the fill and ceracoat or new sideplate/fitting/reblue options.

I, personally, would be fine with the engraving since it was well done and he's the retired C.O.P. But everyone's taste is different. Last thing I'd want is a classic model 19 ceracoated in olive drab.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Last thing I'd want is a classic model 19 ceracoated in olive drab.

Amen to that! No room for a painted model 19 snub at my place. I would leave it as is. Wouldn't bother me a bit. Any sprayed on cover up finish would make me nauseous.

Actually, I'm feeling a little queasy now just thinking about it.

 

[Green Frog]

Well my opinion is probably worth what you're going to pay me for it, but here goes. If the gun is in any kind of shape at all (especially the excellent shape I would expect from a presentation piece) I would either buy it and shoot it as is, or buy it to trade for one that suited my needs, or pass all together. I wouldn't dream of altering it unless it was in really worn or abused condition... its history is a significant part of what it is. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Froggie

 

[Xfuzz]

Your fixin to mess up a neat Smith...
Leave it alone.

 

[John P.]

I'd leave it alone. It has a story behind it. This retired Chief must have years of honorable service.

 

[jrs70]

I like old cop guns. I would leave it. Shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[rockinar]

Id just leave it. The engraving is a neat conversation piece. You're going to ruin the gun trying to "fix" it. If it bothers you that much, why would you buy it?

 

[beagleye]

Leave it I think. It's history. LEO history on guns is desirable.

 

[dsink]

I had an old bodyguard I bought becosue the orignal owner had used an electric pencil to put his name on one side and DL# on the other.

It wasnt pretty to look at and thats the reason I bought it. It was bought as a working gun and a gun to carry when I thought there was a chance it could get scratched.

It was already scratched and the engraving wasnt pretty. Never bothered me if I scratched it myself.

 

[hardcase60]

Recently traded even a MDL 64 4" in very good condition for a MDL 59, with some carry wear, because the 59 had been only owned by a now deceased HPD Detective who had acquired it new back when they were first being hawked to LE. Would never dream of having her refinished. It's the character she bears and the stories she tells that endear her to me. I'll take the snubbie and promise to give her a loving home.

hardcase60

 

[jmark1651]

I must agree with leave it in its original condition. As a retired chief, I only owned one weapon, with my initials on the sideplate. It is a model 60 and was handed down to my son,who carries the same initials. All carry weapons have a story and history behind them.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Personally I would leave it.

if it's to be a shooter and wasn't purchased as an investment, why bother?

I'd leave it as is. It's more than a gun…it's a small part of history.

At the very least, you have an affordable shooter. The engraving gives the revolver a story to tell (you can make the story be whatever you want). You can carry it in honor of the decased chief and tell others of his exploits.

Or, you can just enjoy a great shooter. Save all the money from refinishing to buy more ammo (or reloading components).

 

[perrazi]

how dare you even consider spray painting a retired chiefs retirement gift. perfect way to destroy any value the gun would have. on the other hand, if you get it then it is yours to do you want. think you got plenty of opinions to keep it as is.

 

[S. Kelly]

Keep it as-is and enjoy it. Painting it will ruin it.

 

[Biggfoot44]

If you get it , your property to do as you please , etc

That said ; leave it as it is. As a pure shooter , it will still shoot just as well. There is at least modest intrest in any LE marked gun. A presentation piece to a retiring Chief will only go up in future years.

To be totally period correct , there was a very small interest in OD guns in the 1970s , primarily 1911's . But a M19 in FDE is a really revolting thought.

 

[mkk41]

I have an otherwise very nice and desirable 1960 4-screw 14-2 that was engraved as a presentation piece by a Sherriff. No problems there. BUT, a subsequent owner carved his name into the sideplate with a very sharp scriber. For someone looking for a collectable , it would be a deal breaker.
For a shooter , and a pricetag of $225 (IIRC) , it wasn't!



Now about those sideplates Ken158?

 

[sodacan]

If you don't like the engraving, don't buy the gun. There are thousands of model 19's out there. Another one will come long, I promise.