Proud new owner of a 19-3

[bottlerocket]

Just got my first S&W wheel gun yesterday. Proud new owner of a 19-3 4" nickel. Its in great shape, probably around 95% with a couple scuffs on the cylinder but otherwise in fantastic shape. Serial is 7K19xxx. It has a combat trigger and hammer but patchmayer grips. I've been searching the classifieds here and found several grips for K frame SB. I'd like to get grips that are as original as possible. What would I be looking for on this?

 

[Jack Flash]

That serial number would make YOM = 1974.

I would get football targets for it.

 

[fyimo]

Congratulations on the purchase

 

[bottlerocket]

That serial number would make YOM = 1974.

I would get football targets for it.

Is there some kind of diagram comparing S&W factory grips out there? It just seems there are so many variants! It took me a while to just sorta figure out the numbering system so when someone says football target or combat diamond etc I'm at a loss.

 

[model70hunter]

Congrats, I have a 19-3 4" in nickel. They are a nice piece.

 

[Jack Flash]

Sorry about not being clear, it's easy to fall into using jargon...

The picture below shows K-Frame "football targets". More correctly, they are called "Target Stocks with the Extractor Relief Cut".

As I understand it, target stocks originally had no cut at all. When rounds were ejected they tended to scuff the stocks, so a relief cut was made. The cut has an oval or "football" shape, hence the nickname.

Later on, a full relief cut ("speedloader cut") became standard.

 

[bottlerocket]

Fantastic Jack, thanks! So is there a difference in the wood used on various years or models? It seems like some grips are darker than others. Or is this just variance from different trees?

 

[Jack Flash]

Fantastic Jack, thanks! So is there a difference in the wood used on various years or models? It seems like some grips are darker than others. Or is this just variance from different trees?

Oh sure, they used different woods -- you don't expect S&W to be consistent do you?

As you suggest, there is also probably a lot of variation from tree to tree. Over the years, the type of finish they used probably changed too. Other variables can be how much the stocks were handled, exposed to sunlight, ...

There are folks who are much more expert on this than me so let's hope one of them chimes in.

It is my belief that in the earlier days (up to 1950 or 1960? don't really know) S&W tended to use walnut for grips (or "stocks" as S&W calls them). Later on, they started using woods with more beautiful grain patterns, especially on the larger target stocks.

The Target Footballs in the picture are made of Goncalo Alves which is a type of Brazilian hardwood (pronounced "Gon-sallo All-vez, if I am remembering my Portuguese correctly ).

 

[bottlerocket]

Oh sure, they used different woods -- you don't expect S&W to be consistent do you?

As you suggest, there is also probably a lot of variation from tree to tree. Over the years, the type of finish they used probably changed too. Other variables can be how much the stocks were handled, exposed to sunlight, ...

There are folks who are much more expert on this than me so let's hope one of them chimes in.

It is my belief that in the earlier days (up to 1950 or 1960? don't really know) S&W tended to use walnut for grips (or "stocks" as S&W calls them). Later on, they started using woods with more beautiful grain patterns, especially on the larger target stocks.

The Target Footballs in the picture are made of Goncalo Alves which is a type of Brazilian hardwood (pronounced "Gon-sallo All-vez, if I am remembering my Portuguese correctly ).

Wow thanks for all the info. The Patchmeyers are killing me right now, they're kinda hideous. Next gun show isnt until early Aug around here so are there any other places other than here to keep an eye out for stocks? I'd rather put factory stocks on it if possible.

 

[BJoe]

Wow thanks for all the info. The Patchmeyers are killing me right now, they're kinda hideous. Next gun show isnt until early Aug around here so are there any other places other than here to keep an eye out for stocks? I'd rather put factory stocks on it if possible.

Check G-broker or E-bay. E-bay sellers are pretty consistent in pricing but G-broker is all over the place pricing the same thing. If you don't mind aftermarket grips there are some gorgeous ones being made in Thailand for $30-$40 range. I have bought a few and been very happy.

 

[george_lehr]

FYI, I had bad luck with the grips I got from Thailand. The wood looked okay, but the grip screws were junk. Had to re-tap the threads and cut some new screws to length.
Speaking of stocks, I was poking around my LGS last week and found a box on the floor behind the counter that has cleaning and reloading stuff. It had a pile of various grips. I picked out a pair of magnas, just because they were great shape, and a pair of what looked like homemade targets.
I wish I'd taken a "before" picture. The targets were coated with what had to be clear coat paint and when I sanded that off, I also took off the reddish brown stain that made them appear to be rosewood.
The attached show them with a few coats of Minwax Antique Oil Finish, almost ready for installation. If they're homemade, It looks like someone wanted "Cokes" for their K frame.

 

[shouldazagged]

You might want to try shooting it with the Pachmayrs before discarding them. Lots of people like them for firing .357 stuff, and some say "Pachs for shooting, wood for show." It's nice to be able to switch back and forth, in my opinion.

In any case, I'm envious of your find, and I'm not even big on nickel guns!

 

[bottlerocket]

You might want to try shooting it with the Pachmayrs before discarding them. Lots of people like them for firing .357 stuff, and some say "Pachs for shooting, wood for show." It's nice to be able to switch back and forth, in my opinion.

In any case, I'm envious of your find, and I'm not even big on nickel guns!

Thanks! I will definitely shoot with the patchmeyers but will probably stick with the wood target grips since this will mostly see 38spl loads

 

[mgschindel]

Glad to see another proud 19-3 owner. My favorite 19-3 is a gun I sadly don't shoot. DOH! It's a Texas Rangers commemorative model from 1973. The gun has a really sweet case color hardened smooth wide target trigger and hammer set, and has a very aggressively offset trigger guard that is about half contoured away, so you could get a finger on that big wide trigger while drawing from a holster in a hurry. Also has a nice smooth backstrap on the grip tang. It just has a great finish, great details, and lots of special features I really love. If I had another of these it would be one of my favorite carry pieces!!! It's magic in the hand!

Note that the grips are an exception. This has what they called the Smooth Presentation Grips, but more unusual than typical smooth presentation grips, they are for Special Edition guns only. They have what looks like a speed loader cutout, but it is on the right-side grip panel. It is to make sure the grips do not cover up the beautifully engraved emblems that were on the side plates of these various limited-run guns. The other side of the grip just has a normal football cutout for cylinder access, typical of the vintage. I have other Smooth Presentation Grips from this era that do not have the medallion cutout on the sideplate side of the grip, on some other 19's that I shoot regularly.

These guns are from a period when EVERY gun was a hand-fitted performance shop job, and special editions really were "special", with some very nice, unique features on them that actually enhanced the guns. That just makes me want to shoot it and carry it all the more.

 

[Colhogan]

Very nice!