Trying to make sense of markings. Can you help?

[chevypilot]

I have a model 19-4 with some markings I'm trying to make sense of. Have you seen this kind of thing before? There are markings under the grip panels, but also....and the pic doesn't show it very well if at all, but on the left side under the cylinder release is what appears to be a stain in the nickel. Under that stain is some faint markings that appear to have been "nickeled" over. They say " #39146 Q1 JS706 "

Any clue? Thanks

 

[chevypilot]

I have a model 19-4 with some markings I'm trying to make sense of. Have you seen this kind of thing before? There are markings under the grip panels, but also....and the pic doesn't show it very well if at all, but on the left side under the cylinder release is what appears to be a stain in the nickel. Under that stain is some faint markings that appear to have been "nickeled" over. They say " #39146 Q1 JS706 "

Any clue? Thanks

 

[j38]

Good looking Model 19!

In answer to your question, I suspect the gun was re-nickeled at some point. From your photo showing the left side of the grip frame - I see a number beginning with: 1572... that appears to be "electro-penciled on the metal - and then nickeled over. I don't believe this is a factory number. I can't see the number under the cylinder release you're referring to - but this would confirm the re-nickel.

Regards, Jerry

 

[chevypilot]

Thanks Jerry. Do you think getting factory letter from S&W would show a renickel service if it was done there? What do you think that number on the grip frame would represent? It's fairly long.

 

[c good]

That long number may be a phone number? Just a Wild As_ Guess. Beauty Model 19! c good

 

[chevypilot]

Thanks C good, but it's 11 digits

Is it a horrible thing that I'm carrying it daily?

Can any of you well informed guys date the ser#? It's 33K191x

 

[SEG]

Is it a horrible thing that I'm carrying it daily?

I think I'm really crying

I'll trade ya a beater for it.

 

[RON in PA]

It looks like a disguised Soc. Sec. number. Some folks will put their SS numbers on guns as proof of ownership.

 

[bk43]

The book says roughly 1978 for a ship date. Regarding the factory letter, information for a letter is researched using the gun's serial number. Rework/refinish is filed under the name on the work order and not the serial number so unless you have that you are out of luck.

The numbers/letters on the bottom sides of the grip frame are factory inspector's markings and mean nothing. The numbers on the side of the front strap and under the release are not factory and there is certainly the off chance that they could tie into some provenance on the gun. They are not familiar to me but you never know.

Bob

 

[Doc44]

Beginning in the late 60s, S&W started to stamp all kinds of letters and numbers on the grip frame. Inspectors marks, proof marks, large N for nickel finish, assembly numbers, etc. etc. I am not sure anyone knows what all of them mean.

The numbers in electric pencil are some type of identification mark and most likely put there by a former owner. I have a couple of guns with SSNs penciled on the frame.

Your gun looks original to me. A factory letter will tell you when it was shipped and tell you what dealer or distributor it went to, but not who bought it from them.

Bill

 

[Bullseye Smith]

I agree with Doc44, nice gun with a factory finish. I would fine a stainless to carry and put that one into the safe

.

 

[chevypilot]

great info! Thanks guys!

 

[Alk8944]

The large N indicates the gun was originally factory nickeled. There are no factory re-finish marks. If it was re-finished it was not by S&W. The other stamps are fitter/inpsector numbers and marks.

Try wiping some cold blue over the electric-pencilled number if you really want to read it. If it was done subsequent to plating the cold blue will darken the numbers so they can be read. If it was re-plated after the number was applied it won't darken it. Obviously a personal mark of some sort, some people just don't understand what a serial number means! FWIW, it could be a phone number, adding the long-distance access code would make it 11 digits as 1-800-555-1212.

 

[chevypilot]

ALK:

What would a factory refinish mark look like? If this ain't factory, someone did an incredible job and also made sure not to plate the star extractor, hammer, trigger, or rear sight or other action parts. Also, not covering up any mfg numbers.

There is also an N on the front side of cylinder. What I don't understand is darkened "smear/stain" got in the n nickel about where your thumb would go on the left side below the cylinder release. Just under that smear is the previously mentioned inscription that doesn't look like the same electo-pencil "small dot" style of writing and can only be seen in the right lighting/reflection.

I tried the cold bluing trick and none of the inscriptions got any darker.

The electro-pencil number reads: 1572,79-67999

 

[chevypilot]

I had to photoshop the image sharpening and adjusting light just to get it to show up

 

[c good]

Police Case #? Possibly? Really don't know, just throwing it out there. c good

 

[chevypilot]

ooo and a bloodstain thumbprint that a renickle couldn't quite cover up? Mysterious!