S&W pre 19 value
- Thread starter Danbar
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That is a very early Combat Magnum, they started at K260001. The 5th Edition of the Standard Catalog says $2500 for excellent condition (likely with box/tools/paperwork) down to $375 for fair condition. Pictures would help a lot for folks here to give you an accurate assessment. Whatever the condition I assume there would be something of a premium for the very early SN. I'd be surprised to find a nice one, especially an early one, tagged at less than $1500 where I shop. That said, the last one I actually bought was a later one K264349 which I thought was a fluke buying from a nationally advertised auction for $900 last fall. We would very much like to see pictures. And welcome to the Forum.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
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Start @ $1200, IMO. Much easier to come down than to go up............. 
You could take it to a local gun show, show it around & get some estimates on retail value?
Good luck!
You could take it to a local gun show, show it around & get some estimates on retail value?
Good luck!
Welcome to the Forum! Some pictures would definitely help with valuation because condition is everything. Your revolver's finish (blue or nickel) plays a big part in the desirability and value of a revolver, as does the type and condition of the wood stocks (grips). Do you have the original box and tools with your revolver? The early 4"bbl. .357 Combat Magnums (pre-Model 19), like the .44 Magnums (pre-Model 29), are quite valuable revolvers because they were only introduced about 2 years before S&W began using and stamping Model numbers in lieu of names. If, as you say, the condition of your revolver is really Excellent, then the value could easily be $1800-$2K for the revolver itself, and perhaps $2500+ with original box and tools.
I think $2500 for an Excellent gun would not include box and tools. ANIB would include box and tools. Your number is very early and I think if it is really nice it would bring $2500+. Pretty sure your gun shipped in 1956. Think only one gun shipped in 1955. Here is my gun K261590 that shipped August 1956. I have the box and tools. Would call my gun 95%.
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Only three were even assembled in 1955, and that in December. 1956 was the first year of availability.
Danbar, sounds like you have a good one. Please post some pictures. It’s much easier to post pictures from your computer with the new forum format.
Larry
Larry
Only one .357 Combat Magnum was completed on December 15, 1955. It has serial number K260003 and was kept in the factory collection. Five were completed in January 1956 (K260006 was shipped for evaluation by the Marine Equipment Board on January 3, K260001 was shipped to Bill Jordan on January 5 (first shipment to an individual), K260004 and K260005 were shipped on January 20 to Julian Hatcher and Pete Kuhlhoff, respectively, and K260002 was shipped on January 26 to H. L. Dickerson of Brooklyn, NY.
Bill
Bill
K260371 is a very nice example of an early .357 Combat Magnum, but only a letter of authenticity will tell you when and where it shipped. Some .357 Combat Magnums with relatively low serial numbers did not ship until mid-1956.
Bill
Bill
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Thank you all for you help
Remember, you didn't pay too much. You just bought it a little early. Sometimes a lot early!
In another thread, Doc44 said that the estimated number of .357 Combat Magnums that shipped prior to April 1956 is 32. Production of this model did not get into full operation until May 1956.
Mike's gun shipped April 17, 1956 so is a very early gun. Maybe first 100?
Danbar, think you should get a letter for your gun before you sell. With the low serial number it might be one of the first few guns shipped. I would pay more for a very early gun and would bet that others would also. For instance, SCSW 5th Edition says first 100 .44 Magnums are worth double.
Edit: Doc44 just said that he guessed the first 100 Combat Magnums shipped by the end of the first week in May 1956.
That would put Mike's gun in the first 100.
Mike's gun shipped April 17, 1956 so is a very early gun. Maybe first 100?
Danbar, think you should get a letter for your gun before you sell. With the low serial number it might be one of the first few guns shipped. I would pay more for a very early gun and would bet that others would also. For instance, SCSW 5th Edition says first 100 .44 Magnums are worth double.
Edit: Doc44 just said that he guessed the first 100 Combat Magnums shipped by the end of the first week in May 1956.
That would put Mike's gun in the first 100.
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WFR
Member
For reference, here’s an old one that is K2603##.
The wooden grips that came on it were sanded down smooth, including the medallions.
A pawnshop rescue from many years ago.
The wooden grips that came on it were sanded down smooth, including the medallions.
A pawnshop rescue from many years ago.
Engine49guy
Member
Your Combat Magnum is an early one with two unique features,
The first 1700 or so have coarser 6 groove tangs which changed to the finer 10 groove tangs in the first year so around K260001 to K2617xx.
The other notable thing is that although I'd bet your gun shipped around May-July 56 along with the K261 serial guns a collector might want a K260 prefix over a K261 prefix even if the K261 shipped earlier just because.
That being said guys that chase low serials would put a premium the more zeros there are after the K26 and the lower the last digit.
(Ie K260007 over K260017 and that one over K260117 and that one over K261117 etc.)
Of course condition and originality of package are paramount in a collectable gun. Boxs, grips tools pamphlets can always be added but condition cannot.
Without having it in hand it's easily $1200 to anyone that wants a pre 19, to a guy that's looking for a K260XXX I'd guess it bumps to $1500-$1800 with what minor cosmetic issues are visible,
On a large auction site through a well known auction group with lots of clear well lit pictures showing every flaw so the buyer knows what hes getting could bring $2k IMO depending on condition.
The first 1700 or so have coarser 6 groove tangs which changed to the finer 10 groove tangs in the first year so around K260001 to K2617xx.
The other notable thing is that although I'd bet your gun shipped around May-July 56 along with the K261 serial guns a collector might want a K260 prefix over a K261 prefix even if the K261 shipped earlier just because.
That being said guys that chase low serials would put a premium the more zeros there are after the K26 and the lower the last digit.
(Ie K260007 over K260017 and that one over K260117 and that one over K261117 etc.)
Of course condition and originality of package are paramount in a collectable gun. Boxs, grips tools pamphlets can always be added but condition cannot.
Without having it in hand it's easily $1200 to anyone that wants a pre 19, to a guy that's looking for a K260XXX I'd guess it bumps to $1500-$1800 with what minor cosmetic issues are visible,
On a large auction site through a well known auction group with lots of clear well lit pictures showing every flaw so the buyer knows what hes getting could bring $2k IMO depending on condition.
Nice looking Model 19, price should be around $1500-$2000
I love S&W Revolvers. When I had a gun shop I would take guns up to the Smith Plant about once every two months for my customers and I and have Target Hammers, Triggers, White Outlined Target Sights and Target Stock put on any of the revolvers that I had except 2" carry guns.
I love S&W Revolvers. When I had a gun shop I would take guns up to the Smith Plant about once every two months for my customers and I and have Target Hammers, Triggers, White Outlined Target Sights and Target Stock put on any of the revolvers that I had except 2" carry guns.
pantannojack
US Veteran
I quit trusting local table sharks enough to let them handle my for sale guns. Before you know it he hands it to his buddy at another table, than he hands it to someone else than some smart guy says: "he wants HOW MUCH for this?" Than another one will rub his thumb deeply into the finish to test for cold bluing... I don't offer to dealers. I have sold enough to honest floor buyers.
