Check out my new (rare?) smith model 19
- Thread starter ftballgod
- Start date
S&W Model 19(-5) 4" ROUND BUTT - U.S. GOVT. CONTRACT
My book says that only 2.5" barrel lengths came with a round butt from the factory. Your pistol is most probably one of the Government contract guns I linked to above. Your serial number fits in the right range. If its not, then the barrel was put on later. Its probably one of the contract guns though.
My book says that only 2.5" barrel lengths came with a round butt from the factory. Your pistol is most probably one of the Government contract guns I linked to above. Your serial number fits in the right range. If its not, then the barrel was put on later. Its probably one of the contract guns though.
Jim Watson
New member
It looks a lot like mine that was stolen.
It was a gunsmith job with 2.5" barrel replaced with 4".
The frame topstrap does not match up with the barrel rib.
A 2.5" roundbutt has a thicker barrel rib and no step at the front of the topstrap.
If you put on a standard 4" barrel, you get that little jog there.
Maybe the Navy guns were the same, I have not seen one.
It was a gunsmith job with 2.5" barrel replaced with 4".
The frame topstrap does not match up with the barrel rib.
A 2.5" roundbutt has a thicker barrel rib and no step at the front of the topstrap.
If you put on a standard 4" barrel, you get that little jog there.
Maybe the Navy guns were the same, I have not seen one.
warningshot
New member
If that is a Naval Intel piece...
(A) How would you prove it?
(B) If so...what is your guess on the value?
I'm going to SWAG the price...call me crasy...call me, whatever...$2,500 U.S. dollars. But don't call me if real because I don't have money like that. Big talk with no skin in the game.
(A) How would you prove it?
(B) If so...what is your guess on the value?
I'm going to SWAG the price...call me crasy...call me, whatever...$2,500 U.S. dollars. But don't call me if real because I don't have money like that. Big talk with no skin in the game.
Mike Irwin
Staff
The only way to know for sure exactly what it is is to get a letter from S&W. That will tell you the configuration in which that serial number left the factory.
Mike Irwin said:
Yes, I should have included the above information in my post. Its the only way to really know. Sometimes if you call S&W, their historian Mr. Roy Jinks, will look your serial number up and give you the rudimentary information. A letter is better though, not to say its not enjoyable talking to Roy Jinks, he's a very knowledgeable and affable man.
It your case though, owning a revolver that was special ordered and relatively few of produced, it would be worth it to posses the factory letter. Not only will it be nice to have, it will enhance your pistols value, beyond the expense of the letter.
S&W Letter of Authenticity Request Form
FoghornLeghorn
New member
I had one like that. Back in the 70s (man weren't those great years?) Bill Jordan advocated round butt 19 w/four inch barrel. I sent two 19s to Smith to swap the barrels. (Four inch and 2.5 inch, respectively.)
I didn't like them because the barrel ribs didn't line up, so I reversed it.
That gun in your link looks like mine.
I didn't like them because the barrel ribs didn't line up, so I reversed it.
That gun in your link looks like mine.
If your serial number starts with AYY, AYP or any prefix close to those it is likely a 19-5 from a Diplomatic Security Service order.
The DSS ordered several runs of RB 2.5 inch and RB 4 inch 19-5's.
The ONI guns were 19-3 and IIRC the NIS 19's were a mix of 19-3 and 19-4's.........been awhile and I don't remember.
I do remember that the majority of the ONI guns were later sent to the FBI for their use. Those RB 19's were demilled and destroyed - with a few converted to "red guns" for training - during the Clinton regime. To my knowledge no ONI guns have survived to make it into civilian hands.
There are actually a few NIS RB 4 inch 19's still in service today. And more than a few DSS 19's, although they are in foreign Embassy service. Not CONUS.
Nice 19 you have.
Regards 18DAI.
The DSS ordered several runs of RB 2.5 inch and RB 4 inch 19-5's.
The ONI guns were 19-3 and IIRC the NIS 19's were a mix of 19-3 and 19-4's.........been awhile and I don't remember.
I do remember that the majority of the ONI guns were later sent to the FBI for their use. Those RB 19's were demilled and destroyed - with a few converted to "red guns" for training - during the Clinton regime. To my knowledge no ONI guns have survived to make it into civilian hands.
There are actually a few NIS RB 4 inch 19's still in service today. And more than a few DSS 19's, although they are in foreign Embassy service. Not CONUS.
Nice 19 you have.
Regards 18DAI.that looks a lot like one of the myriad Smith .38's still floating around Navy armories to this day. The Navy seems to have an institutional belief that we should hold on to every esoteric small arm ever purchased, hence the .38 Smiths, M-14 line throwing guns, SIG M11's (despite the Beretta M9 being the "official" pistol), and every Mossberg 12 ga. you can name popping up all over the service. At one point I was even issued an M16A1, early sight and no forward assist included! haha. It's to the point that that I wouldn't be too shocked to see a 1903 springfield pop up somewhere in active use by whatever command still has the damn thing.