U.S. Customs Commissioner's Model 19

Joined
Dec 15, 2011
Messages
392
Reaction score
970
Location
Las Vegas, NV.
I got a very interesting piece this week. It is a S&W Model 19-4 U.S. Customs Patrol Commemorative revolver. They were commissioned in 1978 to commemorate the 100 years of the U.S. Customs Patrol. I did not join the U.S. Customs Patrol until 1980, so missed getting one. Then in 1986, I ran across a guy that had three of them, so I got one then.

Fast forward to approximately six months ago. I was in the Smith-Wesson Forum, and we were discussing the S&W CS-1 U.S. Customs issued revolver. One of the members sent me a IM about a revolver he had. It was a Customs Patrol Commemorative like I have, except for one interesting fact. This particular Model 19 had been the personal property of Former Commissioner of U.S, Customs, William Von Raab. Mr. Von Raab was Commissioner from 1980-1988 under President Reagan. He just so happened to be Commissioner during my first 8 years with U.S. Customs. Mr. Von Raab was a very well liked Commissioner by the members of U.S. Customs Service. Unfortunately he passed in 2019. The member showed me notarized letters from his wife and the Estate sale company that this revolver was Mr. Von Raab's prior to his death. I told the member if he ever wanted to sell it, PLEASE let me know.

Well, two weeks ago the member contacted me again, and we made a deal for the revolver. I am now the proud owner of this piece of history.
 

Attachments

  • VonRabbModel 19.jpg
    VonRabbModel 19.jpg
    130 KB · Views: 228
Register to hide this ad
Congratulations on a very fine revolver that has some wonderful sentimental value

Smith & Wesson produced 813 of those for the 125th Anniversary of the United States Customs Patrol

If you look at the barrel of one of these commemorative revolvers they will say 1853 - 1978
 
Congratulations! What if anything makes it different than any other 19?

They were commissioned to celebrate 100 years of the U.S. Customs Patrol. They have the Customs Patrol Badge engraved on the right side of the frame, along with U.S. Customs Patrol 1878-1978. They came in a presentation case with the U.S. Customs Patrol Badge engraved on the lid.
 
Congratulations on a very fine revolver that has some wonderful sentimental value

Smith & Wesson produced 813 of those for the 125th Anniversary of the United States Customs Patrol

If you look at the barrel of one of these commemorative revolvers they will say 1853 - 1978

And I am lucky enough to have two of them, but having met with Commissioner Von Raab on several occasions, it holds some great sentimental value to me.
 
That's a very nice 19-4 commemorative set you finally got your hands on, and now it appears that you have a matched pair! Congratulations! Considering your personal history, I'm sure that these revolvers have a ton of sentimental value for you. A lot of Forum members tend to steer clear of commemoratives, and I'm one of them. Except...for the Texas Ranger Commemorative Model 19-3 (TR 6362, 1973)! Although I have no ties to the Rangers, I think that the TR Model 19-3 is one of the finest Model 19s that S&W ever made! The fit and finish of the revolver are outstanding, and the smooth target stocks are beautiful. I have shot this piece a few times, and it's smooth, comfortable, and very accurate. I hope that your Customs commemoratives are made as nicely as the TRs! Enjoy!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1724.jpg
    IMG_1724.jpg
    86.7 KB · Views: 21
  • IMG_2339.jpg
    IMG_2339.jpg
    243.8 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_1741.jpg
    IMG_1741.jpg
    144.2 KB · Views: 18
They were commissioned to celebrate 100 years of the U.S. Customs Patrol. They have the Customs Patrol Badge engraved on the right side of the frame, along with U.S. Customs Patrol 1878-1978. They came in a presentation case with the U.S. Customs Patrol Badge engraved on the lid.

Thank you!
 
They were commissioned to celebrate 100 years of the U.S. Customs Patrol. They have the Customs Patrol Badge engraved on the right side of the frame, along with U.S. Customs Patrol 1878-1978

If your barrel actually says that, then you may have the prototype

US%20customs%20small.jpg
 
Back
Top