New(to me) Model 19-4 - What's with the gold lettering?

RodTheWrench · October 7, 2013, 09:47 PM

Picked this up today. Serial 68K05XX.

As some of you may know, I've been pining for one lately. Sold one just like this during the "starving student" days, I figured it was high time I got another. Now, of course being a young dude at the time, I didn't know what I had back then other than a 6" Model 19. It did seem to have a wider hammer than this one, but that could just be a false memory.

So, point of the post - Why does this one have gold lettering? Or is it just dirty white lettering? I don't know that I've ever seen the lettering filled in.

This looks to have been taken care of, just a bit of muzzle bluing worn off and a pretty good drag line on the cylinder. I bought it for a shooter, I think it'll do just fine.

I like "pinned and recessed", how long was that a feature on these?

I'm guessing these are original grips. I like them!

I'll let you guys guess what I paid - WITH a Bianchi holster, case and box of ammo...

RodTheWrench · October 7, 2013, 09:49 PM

More pics.

Sorry some of these are upside down!

I just went back and checked, the "pitting" on the cylinder "ear" (what is that called anyway?) was just dust. Whew!

bledsoeG19 · October 7, 2013, 09:55 PM

My model 19 has a wider hammer and trigger than this one. Mine is also nickel plated. Love your new purchase. They're awesome shooters

Bill DeShivs · October 7, 2013, 11:09 PM

The lettering has been filled in with a paint stick.

FoghornLeghorn · October 8, 2013, 10:51 AM

Quote:

The lettering has been filled in with a paint stick.

It was a fad a few years back.

How might one get it out?

Bill DeShivs · October 8, 2013, 11:40 AM

Paint thinner, toothpicks and rags.

RodTheWrench · October 8, 2013, 12:19 PM

Thanks Bill!

From what I can tell, this gun was made in 1980. How long did they do the "pinned and recessed" thing?

On the wider hammer and trigger, was that a custom add-on or a Target model or...? Looking at it again, I'd agree with bledsoeG19 that these really ARE narrower than my old one. Not bad, just not the same. Should I start pining away for one of those as well?

KyJim · October 8, 2013, 09:26 PM

Deleted.

Nick_C_S · October 8, 2013, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Paint thinner, toothpicks and rags.

I wouldn't mess with trying to clean up the gold lettering. It was a fad, and it looks a bit outdated because of it. But so what? It has a past. That's okay. Leave it be. It looks fine. She's a fine shooter, I'm sure. Enjoy it.

Sevens · October 9, 2013, 12:59 PM

If the finish is nice (it appears to be, but pictures can LIE!

) I would also leave it as is. Obviously, you can end up with something that looks far worse when trying to remove it. But that's just me not wishing to wreck a gun by using the wrong method, others (with experience!) may disagree.

I would love a six-inch K-frame magnum, there's kind of a hole in my cache for exactly that. I have three six-inch K-frames, but two are Fourth Change Hand Ejectors and the other is a 17-6. I'm pretty much needing a 15, 19 or 66, six-inch.

Nobody has guessed at the price you paid yet. I would say, in my opinion, with the market in my area, that you would have done a FINE job if you managed to bring that home for $500 out of pocket, out the door. At $600, it is -not- a bad buy, as long as it's 100% functional and the timing is terrific and it locks up tight. Higher than that and it starts to sound a bit pricey for my tastes. If you walked away for any money UNDER $500, you really got a super buy.

Pinned & recessed ceased around 1982.

Bill DeShivs · October 9, 2013, 01:45 PM

I would never knowingly suggest using a "wrong method." I pretty much keep my mouth shut if I don't know what I'm talking about.
But Sevens has a good point. It seems on the internet people just jump in with random ideas, so you have to be careful.

BigJimP · October 9, 2013, 05:40 PM

Your serial number dates the gun to 1980.

S&W eliminated the cyclinder counterbore and pinned barrels on the model 19's with the model 19-5 engineering revision beginning in 1982.
----------
I've never seen the gold lettering on a S&W revolver .../ but I think I'd just leave it alone unless it really aggravated me ( and if it aggravated me, I wouldn't buy it )....but Bills comments seem prudent ( but I've never tried it )...

FoghornLeghorn · October 10, 2013, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Paint thinner, toothpicks and rags.

Thanx. I'll try that.

dahermit · October 10, 2013, 05:18 PM

As I remember, the gold paint stick stuff was harder to keep in (likely because my guns were always oily when I applied it), than it was to remove it...as I remember, I had to re-apply it occasionally inasmuch as it wore off easily.

ammo.crafter · October 10, 2013, 06:01 PM

Looks like bronze powder that's mixed with emulsion and pressed into lettering with a fine rag and rubbed excess off minutes later.

dahermit · October 10, 2013, 06:48 PM

Those colored sticks were like crayons. I remember both silver and gold.

Jeff #111 · October 21, 2013, 11:55 PM

I own a 6" 19-3 (mfd. 1974). Very nice revolver. Enjoy.

October 7, 2013, 11:09 PM	#4
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	The lettering has been filled in with a paint stick. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

October 8, 2013, 11:40 AM	#6
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Paint thinner, toothpicks and rags. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

October 8, 2013, 12:19 PM	#7
RodTheWrench Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2013 Location: Utah Posts: 365	Thanks Bill! From what I can tell, this gun was made in 1980. How long did they do the "pinned and recessed" thing? On the wider hammer and trigger, was that a custom add-on or a Target model or...? Looking at it again, I'd agree with bledsoeG19 that these really ARE narrower than my old one. Not bad, just not the same. Should I start pining away for one of those as well? __________________ "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." - Han Solo

October 9, 2013, 12:59 PM	#10
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	If the finish is nice (it appears to be, but pictures can LIE! ) I would also leave it as is. Obviously, you can end up with something that looks far worse when trying to remove it. But that's just me not wishing to wreck a gun by using the wrong method, others (with experience!) may disagree. I would love a six-inch K-frame magnum, there's kind of a hole in my cache for exactly that. I have three six-inch K-frames, but two are Fourth Change Hand Ejectors and the other is a 17-6. I'm pretty much needing a 15, 19 or 66, six-inch. Nobody has guessed at the price you paid yet. I would say, in my opinion, with the market in my area, that you would have done a FINE job if you managed to bring that home for $500 out of pocket, out the door. At $600, it is -not- a bad buy, as long as it's 100% functional and the timing is terrific and it locks up tight. Higher than that and it starts to sound a bit pricey for my tastes. If you walked away for any money UNDER $500, you really got a super buy. Pinned & recessed ceased around 1982. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

October 10, 2013, 06:01 PM	#15
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	gold Looks like bronze powder that's mixed with emulsion and pressed into lettering with a fine rag and rubbed excess off minutes later. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

October 7, 2013, 09:55 PM	#3
bledsoeG19 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2013 Posts: 135	My model 19 has a wider hammer and trigger than this one. Mine is also nickel plated. Love your new purchase. They're awesome shooters

October 8, 2013, 09:26 PM	#8
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	Deleted.

October 9, 2013, 01:45 PM	#11
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	I would never knowingly suggest using a "wrong method." I pretty much keep my mouth shut if I don't know what I'm talking about. But Sevens has a good point. It seems on the internet people just jump in with random ideas, so you have to be careful. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

October 9, 2013, 05:40 PM	#12
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Your serial number dates the gun to 1980. S&W eliminated the cyclinder counterbore and pinned barrels on the model 19's with the model 19-5 engineering revision beginning in 1982. ---------- I've never seen the gold lettering on a S&W revolver .../ but I think I'd just leave it alone unless it really aggravated me ( and if it aggravated me, I wouldn't buy it )....but Bills comments seem prudent ( but I've never tried it )...

October 10, 2013, 05:18 PM	#14
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	As I remember, the gold paint stick stuff was harder to keep in (likely because my guns were always oily when I applied it), than it was to remove it...as I remember, I had to re-apply it occasionally inasmuch as it wore off easily.

October 10, 2013, 06:48 PM	#16
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	Those colored sticks were like crayons. I remember both silver and gold.

October 21, 2013, 11:55 PM	#17
Jeff #111 Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2001 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,072	I own a 6" 19-3 (mfd. 1974). Very nice revolver. Enjoy.