Two S&W's, one 5 screw and one modern

[willb1961]

Happy new year to everyone. I was at a local gun shop today and ogled two S&Ws. I didn't explore them as much as I should have but here goes. I will post here and in modern revolvers.
One was a 329 .44 mag, matte black, snub length barrel. Front sight is night sight and rear is black notch. I didn't open the cylinder but after looking on Gunbroker I think it's a Night Guard. Used, carried in holster but appears fired very little if any, no box/extras, a few scuff marks in the finish. They're asking $750.
The other, I wrote down Model 19 but I could have remembered wrong. It's a 5 screw .38, 6" barrel, target looking sights, Wide hammer, serrated trigger, original blue 98% and appears unfired. Some hard rubber grips that I can't remember the name of now (not hogue/pachmayr/etc). No box/extras. Hammer was zip tied so customers couldn't dry fire or spin the cylinder. It had no cylinder ring until a few customers played with it so they tied it off. They're asking $550.
Not sure what they are worth. If anyone has any ideas input is always great.
Update: On the 5 screw .38. It has an exposed ejector. It looks like this photo from Gunbroker (except the grips are aftermarket), which is listed as a K38 dated 1950. Adding photo in another reply.

 

[willb1961]

It looks like this photo of a 1950 K38.

 

[jmace57]

I'd buy the k38 in a heartbeat if it's condition is as good as you say.

 

[JP@AK]

Yes. That is a good price for an early K-38 in the condition described. And, btw, if it has 5 screws it will not have a model number. The upper sideplate screw was eliminated on this model in 1956, nearly two years before any model numbered guns were shipped. This one would be a K-38 Masterpiece. Eventually, it would become the Model 14.

 

[willb1961]

Thanks for the input. It seems as though this gun will not have a model number on the frame so it could easily be a K38/pre model 14 and the gun dealer made a simple mistake labeling it a model 19. So would the only way to tell more be from the serial number? I've seen some photos of other old S&Ws with the serial number on the frame, cylinder, ejector. Looks like I'll have to go back and check the serial number so I can have it "read" here. What do you guys think?

 

[jsfricks]

What do you guys think?

I think if you wait much longer it'll be gone.

 

[DCWilson]

Yes, please check the serial number on the "Model 19" and report back. Also confirm that it says .38 Special on the barrel. If by any chance the serial number is K xxxx (only four numerical digits), don't even check back. Just buy it and then come back here and gloat. If the serial number is K xxxxx (five numerical digits) and the address block on the right side is only a single line MADE IN U.S.A., just buy it and then come back here and gloat. Actually, if you confirm it is a K-38 and truly in the condition you described, just buy it. If you don't want it after you have it, come back here and sell it for a profit in the classifieds.

I think $750 is a decent price for a .44 Magnum Night Guard. Those were close to $1000 guns when they were new. If you can handle the punishment of a .44 mag round fired from a short barrel screwed into an alloy frame, you might want to consider it. But based on personal experience I would fire .44 mags only from a heavy gun.

 

[JP@AK]

Yes, please check the serial number on the "Model 19" and report back. Also confirm that it says .38 Special on the barrel. If by any chance the serial number is K xxxx (only four numerical digits), don't even check back. Just buy it and then come back here and gloat. If the serial number is K xxxxx (five numerical digits) and the address block on the right side is only a single line MADE IN U.S.A., just buy it and then come back here and gloat. Actually, if you confirm it is a K-38 and truly in the condition you described, just buy it. If you don't want it after you have it, come back here and sell it for a profit in the classifieds.

For the umpteenth time, I find myself in 100% agreement with my Southern California friend. Good advice here.
And if it is chambered for the .38 Special, it is definitely not a Model 19 or a Combat Magnum of any sort. Those were all .357 Magnum revolvers.

 

[45Wheelgun]

A model 19 (or pre-19) would be in .357 and labeled as such on the barrel.

 

[MrG5122]

I think if you wait much longer it'll be gone.

Yep. I missed a m19, 2 1/2" round butt yesterday by 10 minutes

 

[JP@AK]

Yep. I missed a m19, 2 1/2" round butt yesterday by 10 minutes

Like this one?

Yep, you missed a good 'un!

 

[MrG5122]

That must have been what it looked like. I was eyeblling a 66 laying there and and the guy just had to share.

 

[willb1961]

Well again, thanks for all the input. Now I'm "fidgiting" because I was not able to go back today and look at the guns. It's first on my list tomorrow though. Hope they are still available, especially the old K model.
If I buy the 329 and shoot it, it'll be with .44 special or downloaded magnums. We are only a few miles from Clarks guns (Jim Clark/Jerry Miculek gang). It's interesting that the dealer that has the guns said that even Miculek said the 329 with full house magnums was unpleasant lol. He said worse than a 500 magnum S&W. That's the dealers story anyway, and I have no reason to doubt it. Anyway, I'm going that way in the morning with some info, photos and a screwdriver to remove the rubber grips on the old gun to check the serial number. Will let you guys know what happens.
One more question. What is the best book to buy for identifying and history of S&W guns? I think I need a few since I'm getting more into the old revolvers. Thanks again!
Bill

 

[JP@AK]

What is the best book to buy for identifying and history of S&W guns? I think I need a few since I'm getting more into the old revolvers.

If you are only going to have one, then there is no choice - you want the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3d Edition. You can find it on Amazon.
I think the next best choice would be Smith & Wesson 1857-1945, by Neal & Jinks. It is a bit dated, but still a very useful guide to the development of the hand ejectors and for the earlier revolvers. This one is out of print, but used copies can be easily located.
A more up to date book and similar to the second one noted above, but also quite different in its own way, is History of Smith & Wesson, by Roy Jinks. Again, used copies abound.
There are a few others, but with those three you will have plenty of information to absorb and memorize.

 

[willb1961]

Well I didn't get the K38/14 whatever it was. Thanks for the book info. I ordered three books from Amazon. Since I didn't have pics of the old K38 to post I thought I'd show a few other of my favorites. Excuse the Colt but I do like it! These are from top left around the clock... S&W 625-10PC .45acp, S&W 681-4PC .357 7 shot, Colt DSII .38 special, S&W 686-6 .357 7 shot with Burris Fastfire II red dot and Weaver base custom machined with a "back up" sight groove it's full length. If the scope fails just remove and it still has sights. Hope you guys like em!
Bill