Smith & Wesson Model 19-3 Finish?

[Phydeaux642]

I'm having a senior moment and can't recall what the finish on a 19-3 should be. Is it high polished blue or more of a parkerized finish? I have a nickel model 19 and am looking at a 19-3, but I don't know if it has been refinished or not.

 

[rondog]

The two Model 19's that I used to own were both a gorgeous shiny Blue. But I don't remember the dash #. They were 6" barrels. I still miss them.

 

[Oro]

High polish. Anything dull/brush blue or non-blue other than nickel is a refinish.

 

[kanook]

I can't prove it but I do have a friend that has a satin blue finish on his 19. When I saw it I asked how much it cost to have that finish on it. He told me it was factory. Said it was an overrun for some contract.

As I said, the 19 is not in my hand to closely examine it and my friend is not here to verify it to prove otherwise. And I know that you Oro are one of the S&W people that have more knowledge then S&W does.

 

[TomADC]

I have a 19-3 snubbie and its bright blue finish.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The M19 has always been polished blue, or sometimes nickel on older guns.

 

[Phydeaux642]

Then I'm not crazy. I didn't think that S&W had done anything other than high polish blue and nickel with the model 19. When I looked at that gun today it just didn't seem right to me. Now I don't need to spend the $425 on a gun I don't really need.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Now I don't need to spend the $425 on a gun I don't really need.

That sounds high anyway, for one that has been refinished.

 

[Ky Larry]

My 19-3 has a very nice deep blue glossy finish. I bought it used about 5 years ago.

 

[bwsmith2850]

Just a thought

My 19-3 is polished blue.

Here's something to think about before you pass on it. S&W Performance center offers a "Combat Revolver Package" that could result in a dull blue finish.

Combat Revolver Package (Medium/Large Frame)
Glass Bead Finish
Tuned Action
Trigger Stop
Chamfer Charge Holes
Test Fire for Function

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...catalogId=10001&content=18302&sectionId=11522

Glass bead is that dull finish on the "night guard" series. I'd hate to do that to a nice, polished finish but wouldn't mind the other features. If the finish was shot.... on a budget?..... Model 28?..... maybe. Polished Reblue at Smith is $200, high polish, $235, same as this package. Might turn out to be a nice shooter.

Does the seller know if it ever went back for 'improvement?'

 

[dacavasi]

My 19-3, bless it's heart, is a high-polish nickel finish. I've had it now for 33 years, to be exact, and I'll be passing it on to my son...

 

[sgt127]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/107495-diplomatic-security-service-19s.html

It could be factory..

 

[Phydeaux642]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-rev...rvice-19s.html

It could be factory..

All of these they are talking about seem to be dated later than this gun. The one I looked at had a pinned barrel, so, it is 1980 or earlier.

 

[9mmepiphany]

but if you send it back the the factory for a refinish...that finish is just as factory as the original. that's why folks pay more for a factory refinish, it's certainly not because it's better

 

[rcmodel]

No, it actually isn't.
There is no way even the factory can polish and reblue a gun without further wearing off the factory roll markings to some extent.

A rare old S&W with a factory refinish will never command as high a collector price as one with the original finish still intact.

rc

 

[Oro]

I can't prove it but I do have a friend that has a satin blue finish on his 19. When I saw it I asked how much it cost to have that finish on it. He told me it was factory. Said it was an overrun for some contract.

But it's probably not a 19-3 like Phydeaux642 inquired about. Sgt127 linked to those newer guns.

 

[sgt127]

Good point on the-3 vs -5. I didn't think about that..

 

[girvin02]

4" 19-4 & 2 1/2" 19-3's