Pre-19
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Engine49guy
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Very nice early nickel Combat Magnum.
Agree with David it did not ship in 1955 although the SCSW serial ranges in the back of the book show your serial as being in that year.
The Combat Magnum is one of my favorites and I kinda track early serials for fun.
Just did a quick check and have two nickel CM's in my database with a K264xxx prefix, one shipped in mid 1957 and the other shipped in mid 1958 so it's possible yours might have shipped in 57-58 as well.
Agree with David it did not ship in 1955 although the SCSW serial ranges in the back of the book show your serial as being in that year.
The Combat Magnum is one of my favorites and I kinda track early serials for fun.
Just did a quick check and have two nickel CM's in my database with a K264xxx prefix, one shipped in mid 1957 and the other shipped in mid 1958 so it's possible yours might have shipped in 57-58 as well.
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Agree. Although factory nickel Combat Magnums are scarce, besides one that shipped in Dec, 57 and one that sat around until Aug, 58, the others shipped in 1957.
Do you have any (factory) nickels that aren't K264's? 
Do you have any (factory) nickels that aren't K264's?
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Engine49guy
Member
The only other nickel CM in my notes
Is a K261xxx prefix shipped July 2, 1956 and has the 10 groove tangs.
Is a K261xxx prefix shipped July 2, 1956 and has the 10 groove tangs.
In all honesty , it doesn't make any difference to me if it shipped in 1955, which I did get from the 5th Edition, or 1956-1957 or who knows.
To me it a piece of history to have and appreciate. Something fewer and fewer people do today.
Thanks to everyone for their input. Some beautiful guns shown here.
Gary
To me it a piece of history to have and appreciate. Something fewer and fewer people do today.
Thanks to everyone for their input. Some beautiful guns shown here.
Gary
larryofcc
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Benton Quest
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I have been more than concerned regarding the Gunbroker prices on these as of late. I feel there has been a bit of a drop. Hopefully, temporary.
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Engine49guy
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While I don't not track current sales prices certain small production SW models with unique features in high condition tend to be decent investments, personally I do not purchase them to make money, I buy them because they are really great pieces of history that cannot be reproduced.
The "Pre" Model marked Combat Magnum is a prized piece that no serious SW 357 collector should be without IMO,
The amount of 6 groove tang versions even smaller, and while AFAIK there are no 6 groove nickel CM's it appears there are fewer nickel 10 groove tang pre model marked 19's than 6 groove tang blue ones making them the rarest of the rare, if a nickel 6 groove exists well, it's even rarer.
I have never come accross one in the wild or would have bought it despite the asking price ( ok within reason) mainly because the chances of ever finding another is low.
Looking back the guns that I fealt I overpaid for 10-20 years ago are now worth way more than I paid back then which supports the saying "You don't always pay too much for a SW but sometimes you pay it too soon".
My lowest serial Nickel CM is a 19 (no dash) Serial K391560 Shipped Feb 1961, Interestingly has a red ramp, white outline rear and wide TT/TH which I consider "The works", since the OP's gun has the basic features it makes me wonder how many or if any of the early nickel pre 19's were basic or had "The works"
The "Pre" Model marked Combat Magnum is a prized piece that no serious SW 357 collector should be without IMO,
The amount of 6 groove tang versions even smaller, and while AFAIK there are no 6 groove nickel CM's it appears there are fewer nickel 10 groove tang pre model marked 19's than 6 groove tang blue ones making them the rarest of the rare, if a nickel 6 groove exists well, it's even rarer.
I have never come accross one in the wild or would have bought it despite the asking price ( ok within reason) mainly because the chances of ever finding another is low.
Looking back the guns that I fealt I overpaid for 10-20 years ago are now worth way more than I paid back then which supports the saying "You don't always pay too much for a SW but sometimes you pay it too soon".
My lowest serial Nickel CM is a 19 (no dash) Serial K391560 Shipped Feb 1961, Interestingly has a red ramp, white outline rear and wide TT/TH which I consider "The works", since the OP's gun has the basic features it makes me wonder how many or if any of the early nickel pre 19's were basic or had "The works"
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Benton Quest
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Mine is a blue, no frills model, serial K263030. I always maybe early '57.
I need to get it lettered.
I have seen some pretty good looking units being sold at the $1k mark...give or take.
That is lower than I would have thought. But, yes, I agree. Everybody needs one.
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I need to get it lettered.
I have seen some pretty good looking units being sold at the $1k mark...give or take.
That is lower than I would have thought. But, yes, I agree. Everybody needs one.
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Mine is 260026, shipped June 1, 1956 to Walter Lookabaugh, the S&W West Coast Sales Rep. No frills blued, but absolutely immaculate. I'm proud to own it!
No known (factory) nickel pre’s with 6 groove.
They switched from 6 to 10 groove pretty quick.
So far only one nickel pre has been observed with ‘the works’.
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You did well. What remains unsaid is everybody here who collects Model 19's, myself included, would LOVE to have that one. My earliest pre-19 is K261977 which shipped August 1956. Effectively, 1956 is the first model year. The first block of production was roughly 5000 ranging to serial number K265000.
Need to letter that one.
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Benton Quest
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So, mine at K263030 might actually be a '56?
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Engine49guy
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Imo a blue K263xxx prefix could go either way mid to late 56 or early to mid 57.
As we all know they weren't built or shipped in serial number order.
As we all know they weren't built or shipped in serial number order.
The frame was. When it was shipped you need to letter.
At this stage, with the high values on pre-19's, it's a no brainer to letter them. And the real trick is to buy a box if you can find one. My advice, bid long, bid high, your kids will never miss the money and you'll always have the complete package.
Or like Lee Jarret one said: Just Get A Box, dammit!
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That's a beauty David, don't sell it! Your original post with the history got me interested in this handgun and I'm grateful it did. I've got a small herd of them and growing.
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