Manufacture year of a M-19

[StephenT]

Hey folks,

Just picked up a used Smith & Wesson model 19 with a stainless finish. Nice revolver in great shape with a 4" pinned and recessed barrel. Can any of you experts tell me the approximate year or period of make? The serial number is 4K479XX.

 

[Hutch]

Don't have the reference handy for dating, but M19's come in blue and nickel. If it's really stainless, then it's an M66. Open the cylinder and look at the frame under the crane. It'll give a model number there.

 

[thatguy]

I believe the 19 was made in blue and nickel. The similar gun in stainless would be the 66. Either the gun is a dull nickel or maybe someone has had it plated in some way and looks stainless? My serial number list shows it from 1973.

 

[StephenT]

Thanks for the fast responses. It's definitely a 19-3, in nickel finish.

 

[StephenT]

Was 1973 a "good" period for Smith & Wesson? At any rate, I prefer the hammer-mounted firing pin over the frame-mounted ones produced nowadays.

 

[FPrice]

StephenT...

"4K479XX"

According to Supica and Nahas it looks like late 1973. As far as I know that should still have been a good era for S&Ws. And the 19-3 is a good revolver...I'd love to find one myself.

 

[StephenT]

Thanks for the heads up, Fprice. In case you're interested, there's a S&W 13 in nickel advertised on gunbroker right now. I've been watching it for a while. Here's the link http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=17631220

Cheers.