S&W 19-4 Value and Year of Manufacture

Diesel74 · April 22, 2019, 10:21 PM

Looking at 19-4 4” 19 appears to be 90% condition but no box or anything else. I have seen old threads of value but seem to be going up. They are asking $899. What do you think of price and the serial # is 56k1xx. What year would this make it? Thanks for any help

sarge83 · April 23, 2019, 08:08 AM

I don't have a date for you but that price sounds a touch high in my area. I bought mine from $350-$500 range.

John D · April 23, 2019, 08:43 AM

There's a sticky at the top of the revolver page concerning S&W manufacturing dates. You should be able to get your answer there.

lamarw · April 23, 2019, 09:15 AM

You don't give us much to work with as far as value. What is the barrel length? Is it blued or factory nickel? Has it been refinished? What grips/stocks is it wearing?

Your 90% might be higher or lower than others might rate it. We need pictures and a lot of them. Up close and clear pictures will be required.

As an alternative, you can look at past auctions to see what a similar revolver sold for. Don't forget to consider total cost to include auction premiums, sales tax, shipping cost, FFL cost and even credit card fees.

Sign up for Proxibid, other auction sites, GunBroker and local auctions. Keep tabs not only firearms you are interested in but firearms you own. I watch them to monitor trends and as you mentioned earlier. I try to keep tabs on the value of my accumulation to leave value estimates to my heirs. I am getting up there in age. I also try to keep list of reputable auctioneer and consignment gun shops for heirs to get the most for firearms they choose to part with.

L-2 · April 23, 2019, 10:18 AM

Models 19-4 were made from 1977-1982, according to my Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson book.

The posted serial number's format seems wrong. Feel free to edit/correct or post a photo of the serial number to confirm and perhaps someone can get a more precise year for the subject gun.

mrcharlie3531 · April 23, 2019, 10:46 AM

The serial number does appear to be wrong

lee n. field · April 23, 2019, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel74

Looking at 19-4 4” 19 appears to be 90% condition but no box or anything else. I have seen old threads of value but seem to be going up. They are asking $899. What do you think of price and the serial # is 56k1xx. What year would this make it? Thanks for any help

I have one similar (19-4, factory nickel, no box, "honest wear" but fully functional). I had a S&W collector tell me it was worth around $400, 2-3 years back.

Elkins45 · April 23, 2019, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee n. field

I have one similar (19-4, factory nickel, no box, "honest wear" but fully functional). I had a S&W collector tell me it was worth around $400, 2-3 years back.

Prices have gone up for the pre-lock guns, especially the pinned & recessed models like the 19-4 is. A P&R Model 19 would have to be in pretty rough shape not to bring at least $500 almost anywhere these days.

The serial number does seem to be missing a digit. My 19-4 was purchased new in early 1981 and it’s SN is 68Kxxxx. I think it was actually made in 1979.

Diesel74 · April 23, 2019, 04:42 PM

I did state 4” barrel, but it is blued. And yes i may have left off one x from ther serial number. Original grips,pinned and recessed. The seller said he would go down to 850 possibly down to 800 all said and done. Thanks for the replies

Diesel74 · April 23, 2019, 05:36 PM

Not the best photo

USSR · April 23, 2019, 05:52 PM

Diesel74,

Nice Model 19. However, the $899 price is about $250 too high.

Don

smee78 · April 23, 2019, 06:29 PM

While $800 is better, it is still a bit high to me. It does look like a solid revolver though.

I did see a blue 2 3/4 with a tyler t grip today in a pawn shop listed for $900, I didn't even look at it for that price....?

Reloadron · April 23, 2019, 06:42 PM

About 4 or 5 years ago I bought one for $500 here in the SE Cleveland, Ohio suburbs. That was out the door and the gun is an extremely clean Model 19-2. I also agree with those who say the price of $899 is out of line, way out of line. Look around online as suggested and get a feel for the going rates today. Nice revolvers but not for $899.

Ron

Diesel74 · April 23, 2019, 06:50 PM

Thanks for the advice, I guess I will pass on this one as I dont think they would come down under $800

Diesel74 · April 23, 2019, 07:52 PM

Not sure if it makes that much of a difference but I am located in NY, I feel like prices are always higher up here.......

P-990 · April 23, 2019, 08:33 PM

Just to pile on, even $800 is too high. Though that picture shows well better than "90%"; that's more like a 97+ just from the one quick snapshot.

Realistically, S&W made a lot of 19s, 10s, 15s, 66s, etc. In my mind a really clean 19, in a common barrel length, with no box, is at best a $700 gun, better at $650 and I'll use the credit card to take it today if it's under $600.

(Then again, I'm young and my plan is to snag nice S&Ws when heirs start trading them for things like Glocks and H&Ks...)

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Driftwood Johnson · April 24, 2019, 09:11 AM

Actually your photo is a lot better than some I have seen posted here. A bit out of focus, but not too bad. Those style grips were called Oversized Target Grips in those days.

I know you have passed on it, but the Serial Number Range for 1978/1979 was 25K0001 through 56K9999.

Can't help you much with the price, I paid $125 for my Model 19-3 brand-spanky new in 1975.

mrcharlie3531 · April 24, 2019, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Can't help you much with the price, I paid $125 for my Model 19-3 brand-spanky new in 1975

a new model 19 classic is 739.00 year 2019.

Ibmikey · April 25, 2019, 09:57 PM

Model 19, 4” out the door $82.57 in August 1963 the day I put on my brand new uniform and hit the street in a Calif city. Rode with the Sgt the first night, second night grave shift the swing officer locked the PD turned phones to SO and handing me the car keys told me someone would relieve me at 0800. Both the 19 and I have survived the years. By the way just traded a S&W ez 380 for a pristine 66-4.

Nathan · April 26, 2019, 03:56 AM

I’ve been out of this for a year or 3, but when I knew S&W revolver prices, I bought a 19-3 for$450. This was 100 functional and ~97% finish.

I do remember most of the nicer guns going for $550 then. I would guess a really nice 19-4 to be available for about $650-$750 today.....obviously box and accessories adds $50. Better condition could add $100-$200.

To me, $899 is lnib with accessories maybe test fired under 100 times.

April 22, 2019, 10:21 PM	#1
Diesel74 Junior Member Join Date: April 22, 2019 Posts: 6	S&W 19-4 Value and Year of Manufacture Looking at 19-4 4” 19 appears to be 90% condition but no box or anything else. I have seen old threads of value but seem to be going up. They are asking $899. What do you think of price and the serial # is 56k1xx. What year would this make it? Thanks for any help

April 23, 2019, 10:18 AM	#5
L-2 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 523	Models 19-4 were made from 1977-1982, according to my Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson book. The posted serial number's format seems wrong. Feel free to edit/correct or post a photo of the serial number to confirm and perhaps someone can get a more precise year for the subject gun. __________________ (former) Glock Armorer 1911 Armorer LEO (retired)

April 23, 2019, 05:52 PM	#11
USSR Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2017 Location: Finger Lakes Region of NY Posts: 1,442	Diesel74, Nice Model 19. However, the $899 price is about $250 too high. Don __________________ NRA Life Member NRA Certified Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor

April 23, 2019, 06:29 PM	#12
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	While $800 is better, it is still a bit high to me. It does look like a solid revolver though. I did see a blue 2 3/4 with a tyler t grip today in a pawn shop listed for $900, I didn't even look at it for that price....? __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

April 23, 2019, 08:08 AM	#2
sarge83 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2000 Posts: 426	I don't have a date for you but that price sounds a touch high in my area. I bought mine from $350-$500 range.

April 23, 2019, 08:43 AM	#3
John D Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2000 Location: No. Arizona Posts: 436	There's a sticky at the top of the revolver page concerning S&W manufacturing dates. You should be able to get your answer there.

April 23, 2019, 09:15 AM	#4
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	You don't give us much to work with as far as value. What is the barrel length? Is it blued or factory nickel? Has it been refinished? What grips/stocks is it wearing? Your 90% might be higher or lower than others might rate it. We need pictures and a lot of them. Up close and clear pictures will be required. As an alternative, you can look at past auctions to see what a similar revolver sold for. Don't forget to consider total cost to include auction premiums, sales tax, shipping cost, FFL cost and even credit card fees. Sign up for Proxibid, other auction sites, GunBroker and local auctions. Keep tabs not only firearms you are interested in but firearms you own. I watch them to monitor trends and as you mentioned earlier. I try to keep tabs on the value of my accumulation to leave value estimates to my heirs. I am getting up there in age. I also try to keep list of reputable auctioneer and consignment gun shops for heirs to get the most for firearms they choose to part with.

April 23, 2019, 10:46 AM	#6
mrcharlie3531 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2013 Posts: 112	The serial number does appear to be wrong

April 23, 2019, 04:42 PM	#9
Diesel74 Junior Member Join Date: April 22, 2019 Posts: 6	I did state 4” barrel, but it is blued. And yes i may have left off one x from ther serial number. Original grips,pinned and recessed. The seller said he would go down to 850 possibly down to 800 all said and done. Thanks for the replies

April 23, 2019, 06:42 PM	#13
Reloadron Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2016 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Suburbs Posts: 1,750	About 4 or 5 years ago I bought one for $500 here in the SE Cleveland, Ohio suburbs. That was out the door and the gun is an extremely clean Model 19-2. I also agree with those who say the price of $899 is out of line, way out of line. Look around online as suggested and get a feel for the going rates today. Nice revolvers but not for $899. Ron

April 23, 2019, 06:50 PM	#14
Diesel74 Junior Member Join Date: April 22, 2019 Posts: 6	Thanks for the advice, I guess I will pass on this one as I dont think they would come down under $800

April 23, 2019, 07:52 PM	#15
Diesel74 Junior Member Join Date: April 22, 2019 Posts: 6	Not sure if it makes that much of a difference but I am located in NY, I feel like prices are always higher up here.......

April 23, 2019, 08:33 PM	#16
P-990 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: Only1/2WayThere Posts: 1,316	Just to pile on, even $800 is too high. Though that picture shows well better than "90%"; that's more like a 97+ just from the one quick snapshot. Realistically, S&W made a lot of 19s, 10s, 15s, 66s, etc. In my mind a really clean 19, in a common barrel length, with no box, is at best a $700 gun, better at $650 and I'll use the credit card to take it today if it's under $600. (Then again, I'm young and my plan is to snag nice S&Ws when heirs start trading them for things like Glocks and H&Ks...) Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

April 24, 2019, 09:11 AM	#17
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Actually your photo is a lot better than some I have seen posted here. A bit out of focus, but not too bad. Those style grips were called Oversized Target Grips in those days. I know you have passed on it, but the Serial Number Range for 1978/1979 was 25K0001 through 56K9999. Can't help you much with the price, I paid $125 for my Model 19-3 brand-spanky new in 1975.

April 25, 2019, 09:57 PM	#19
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Model 19, 4” out the door $82.57 in August 1963 the day I put on my brand new uniform and hit the street in a Calif city. Rode with the Sgt the first night, second night grave shift the swing officer locked the PD turned phones to SO and handing me the car keys told me someone would relieve me at 0800. Both the 19 and I have survived the years. By the way just traded a S&W ez 380 for a pristine 66-4.

April 26, 2019, 03:56 AM	#20
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	I’ve been out of this for a year or 3, but when I knew S&W revolver prices, I bought a 19-3 for$450. This was 100 functional and ~97% finish. I do remember most of the nicer guns going for $550 then. I would guess a really nice 19-4 to be available for about $650-$750 today.....obviously box and accessories adds $50. Better condition could add $100-$200. To me, $899 is lnib with accessories maybe test fired under 100 times.