Pre 19

[ST BERNARD]

Went to a sale Saturday just to look... other things I should have been doing, but there were FN Brownings, old Winchesters, and some Smiths listed. Don't see that happen around here much any more. The bidding had already started, and I didn't get to take a good look at the revolvers. This one came up.... there was a online bid of 600 bucks on it, and after a couple minutes of trying the auctioneer couldn't get a bite. He was trying for 650 ... I bid... figure that would bust things open like it usually does. It didn't and I ended up buying it. Figured that would go over like a fart in church when I came home with yet another gun, and I'd hear chin music about it. Not a bit sorry now, as this is a sweet piece for sure. Number is K262450, which comes out to 1955, the first year. Wondering if any of you folks can tell what month. May have been being made about the same time I was...that would be nice. Grips are both numbered to the gun in pencil, and it doesn't look like a screw has ever been turned on it. There's crud to be cleaned out of the corners, and I probably should have fluffed it up and waxed it for the pictures, but this is how it looked when we brought it home. Wish I still looked half as good.
It's not perfect, but close.... and we don't have another revolver in the house that compares for finish and smoothness.
It's rumored to be local, and we'd like to have it lettered if some of you can tell us how to go about that.
Thanks in advance;
Bill

 

[murphydog]

The first ones shipped in early 1956 as I recall. There is a link in the Downloads section for the letter order form.

Did anyone mention it's a nice Combat Magnum? Enjoy!

 

[Engine49guy]

Very nice Combat Magnum !
IMO more likely it shipped Mid 1956, would you mind posting a picture of the backstrap as yours is right on the border of 6 and 10 grooves.

 

[smith17]

I would like to hear from others who have numbered Combat Magnum target stocks to find out if they are stamped or penciled. Yours is the first I have heard of those being written in pencil.
Ed

 

[FPrice]

NICE find!

On the left grip the diamond looks like it is raised a bit. Is it just my eyes or was this a feature of some early grips like this?

 

[DWalt]

Closest pre-19 I have listed is K2647xx which shipped in 6/1957. Yours could be earlier or later than that. But as always, if it's important for you to know an exact shipping date, get a letter. Manufacturing range for 1955 is given as K231,256 – K266,154. I don't believe any stocks that late would have a penciled SN, but not having a SN is believable. Football Targets started about 1956, but overlapped with no-cutout stocks until about 1958. My guess is your stocks are from the mid-1960s.

 

[moosedog]

Nice catch at a good price. I've got K263989 which was shipped in October of 1956.
I just noted on my info card that I bought it in 2005 for $225. I'm not always that lucky.

 

[ST BERNARD]

This is the best I could do. Camera is a Nikon, and would do a lot better for someone who knew how to use it.
Thank you all for the replies.... if the month ended up being September of '56, that would be special for me. Good karma.
10 groove for sure Engine 49, and will check into getting the letter.
Many thanks again to all;
Bill
P.S. How the heck do we keep from putting the tags on our posts? (I'm a truck mechanic, and not too swift with computers)

 

[Engine49guy]

I have not heard of the factory writing any Combat Magnum stocks serials in pencil either, More likely a previous owner did so to ID the correct grips that went with his gun when swapping out to rubber etc for range use or ?

A handful of K261xxx - K262xxx range guns have come up as shipped in 1958 but that seems to be the exception to the norm IMO being in such high demand by LEO's at the time that desired something lighter than the N frame Model 28 that would fire the .357 cartridge.

 

[BCDWYO]

Great looking Combat Magnum! Really nice find and outstanding price!

 

[sbowenjr]

Pre 19.

Congratulations sir. That is a rare find indeed. You weren't pointing the Pre 19 at them when you won the auction were you? I am in the process of purchasing one and it was quite a bit more. It might also be a good time for you to buy a power ball ticket. Gun looks really good.

 

[Frank237]

What a find! You did VERY well on that one.

I've got # 260026 and a letter from Mr. Jinks states mine was shipped June 1, 1956.

I second the thought to go out and buy a LOTTO ticket or two. You may be on a roll.

FN in MT

 

[trashy]

As Engine49 states above, I have Combat Magnum K261778 that did not ship until August 1958 per Roy. I'm assuming it got stuck in the back of the vault for a while.

 

[samandglove1]

Beautiful gun. Congratulations for finding one at a great price.

Mine is K260439 and it shipped out in June 1956.

 

[Seaburry]

Thanks for posting your pre 19. It proves there are nice desirable pieces to be found at reasonable prices. Pre 19 k 260519 shipped May 8 1956 per Roy Jinks letter..wk