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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 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%.
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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I picked up this Combat Magnum (K261262) a year or so ago. Shipped April 17, 1956. Came with original box and a few accessories (added the SAT later). I gave 3K for it, but seems like I always overpay.
Mike
Mike
Thank you all for you help
