S&W M19: is this a factory front sight?

Carmady · June 30, 2019, 02:20 PM

It's an early one, maybe 1950s.

Anyone seen a front sight like this from the factory? It appears to be pinned.

Jim Watson · June 30, 2019, 02:59 PM

Model 19? It sure looks like a K38 Model 14.
And that is the stock sight for that gun, there is one like it in the next room.

Carmady · June 30, 2019, 03:07 PM

It was on Armslist for less than a day. No pic of model number, and I can't make out the caliber on the barrel, but the seller did call it a 19 (just a 19, no dash version given).

That sight on the M14 does ring a faint bell, thanks.

Jim Watson · June 30, 2019, 03:11 PM

Tapered barrel, no ejector rod shroud, short ramp post sight standard on K38.
A 6" Model 19 would have a post or red ramp sight on a long ramp; and shrouded ejector rod.

A friend has gotten a lot of good deals off the sales sites for stuff identified wrong or misspelled. He likes .22 rifles and has searches for several different ways to (mis)spell Anschutz.

USSR · June 30, 2019, 03:57 PM

Quote:

It's an early one, maybe 1950s.

Anyone seen a front sight like this from the factory? It appears to be pinned.

What you have there is an early 5 screw Model 19, made in about 1955 or 1956 when they first came out. The target front sight is correct for the six inch Model 19. Only the shorter barrel Model 19's had the baughman sight.

Don

Carmady · June 30, 2019, 04:00 PM

So it's not a 19, thanks for the clarification.

Maybe the 4 in 14 looked like a 9 to the seller. I doubt if he knew what it was, it was in there for $375, and the exrta screw/s alone are worth that much.

Carmady · June 30, 2019, 04:02 PM

Quote:

What you have there is an early 5 screw Model 19, made in about 1955 or 1956 when they first came out.

Really? No ejector rod shroud on those?

Carmady · June 30, 2019, 04:15 PM

I know there are particulars and changes in these guns, and my knowledge is minimal. But, by judging the the distance between the front of the cylinder and the frame it looks more like a .38 SPL than a .357 to me. All that exposed forcing cone from the side view doesn't jibe with .357s I've seen. Of course the front of cylinder to frame dimension could have changed over the years.

USSR · June 30, 2019, 08:21 PM

Quote:
What you have there is an early 5 screw Model 19, made in about 1955 or 1956 when they first came out.

Quote:

Really? No ejector rod shroud on those?

Good eye, Carmady. That eliminates it as being a model 19. Most likely a Model 14 then.

Don

Carmady · June 30, 2019, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Good eye, Carmady.

Thank you, but my good eye read what Jim said in post #4. I was so occupied with the front sight and that screw in the sideplate I didn't notice much else.

ThomasT · June 30, 2019, 10:04 PM

My first center fire revolver was a model 19 with TT, TH and Patridge front sight just like on the OPs gun.

USSR · July 1, 2019, 06:53 AM

Quote:

My first center fire revolver was a model 19 with TT, TH and Patridge front sight just like on the OPs gun.

Yeah, but the Model 19 always had a shrouded ejector rod, the OP's gun doesn't.

Don

FITASC · July 1, 2019, 07:34 AM

Just get those ugly rubber condoms off that beauty

USSR · July 1, 2019, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Just get those ugly rubber condoms off that beauty

Couldn't agree more.

Don

dahermit · July 1, 2019, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FITASC

Just get those ugly rubber condoms off that beauty

It depends on if you plan on shooting it or looking at it. I shoot mine everyday, with its ugly condoms. Handsome is as handsome does.

Bill DeShivs · July 1, 2019, 01:23 PM

It could very well be a model 19 with a model 14 barrel.

Nathan · July 1, 2019, 01:56 PM

It doesn’t have a TT.

Can somebody confirm any 19’s were made as 5 screw guns?

USSR · July 1, 2019, 04:55 PM

Quote:

From 1905 to 1955 most Smith & Wesson revolvers had five screws, four held on the side plate and one in front of the trigger guard. After 1955 the top side plate screw was eliminated, and from that time until 1961 the revolvers were known as 4-screw guns.

Since the Model 19 (before they given model numbers by S&W in 1957) was introduced in 1955, it would have to be the first year of production.

Don

ThomasT · July 1, 2019, 06:00 PM

Quote:

It doesn’t have a TT.

I was stating that my model 19 had the TT, TH and Patridge front sight. Looks like the gun the OP posted a picture of does have the wider target hammer.

105kw · July 1, 2019, 06:07 PM

The Combat Magnum was introduced as a 4 screw model.
The 6 inch bbl, was first offered in 1963. As a 3 screw frame.

The Target Masterpiece started , as a short action in 1950.
Five screw frame ended in 1955-1956.

This 5 screw is a Target Masterpiece, stock model gun.

Nathan · July 1, 2019, 09:11 PM

So that makes it a k38?

105kw · July 1, 2019, 09:47 PM

Basically, yes it's a K38, pre model 14.

Grizzly2 · July 1, 2019, 10:24 PM

The model 14's front sight is not that tall, yet I remember years ago seeing that tall sight. I think those who say it is the original K38 Target Masterpiece are correct.

I don't know if it is just the way the light is hitting, but the cylinder bluing does not seem to match the rest of the revolver.

Carmady · July 2, 2019, 11:02 AM

Thanks for all the replies.

So there is no, was no, never will be no 5-screw Model 19 with a sail for a front sight.

laytonj1 · July 2, 2019, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carmady

Thanks for all the replies.

So there is no, was no, never will be no 5-screw Model 19 with a sail for a front sight.

Per the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson there was never a 5 screw 19 (pre or otherwise). It is clearly a K-38 or K-32 (since we don't know caliber) with a patridge front sight blade.

Jim

July 1, 2019, 07:34 AM	#13
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	Just get those ugly rubber condoms off that beauty __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

July 1, 2019, 01:23 PM	#16
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	It could very well be a model 19 with a model 14 barrel. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

June 30, 2019, 02:59 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Model 19? It sure looks like a K38 Model 14. And that is the stock sight for that gun, there is one like it in the next room.

June 30, 2019, 03:07 PM	#3
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	It was on Armslist for less than a day. No pic of model number, and I can't make out the caliber on the barrel, but the seller did call it a 19 (just a 19, no dash version given). That sight on the M14 does ring a faint bell, thanks.

June 30, 2019, 03:11 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Tapered barrel, no ejector rod shroud, short ramp post sight standard on K38. A 6" Model 19 would have a post or red ramp sight on a long ramp; and shrouded ejector rod. A friend has gotten a lot of good deals off the sales sites for stuff identified wrong or misspelled. He likes .22 rifles and has searches for several different ways to (mis)spell Anschutz.

June 30, 2019, 04:00 PM	#6
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	So it's not a 19, thanks for the clarification. Maybe the 4 in 14 looked like a 9 to the seller. I doubt if he knew what it was, it was in there for $375, and the exrta screw/s alone are worth that much.

June 30, 2019, 04:15 PM	#8
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	I know there are particulars and changes in these guns, and my knowledge is minimal. But, by judging the the distance between the front of the cylinder and the frame it looks more like a .38 SPL than a .357 to me. All that exposed forcing cone from the side view doesn't jibe with .357s I've seen. Of course the front of cylinder to frame dimension could have changed over the years.

June 30, 2019, 10:04 PM	#11
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,753	My first center fire revolver was a model 19 with TT, TH and Patridge front sight just like on the OPs gun.

July 1, 2019, 01:56 PM	#17
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,333	It doesn’t have a TT. Can somebody confirm any 19’s were made as 5 screw guns?

July 1, 2019, 06:07 PM	#20
105kw Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2017 Location: Columbia Basin Washington Posts: 415	The Combat Magnum was introduced as a 4 screw model. The 6 inch bbl, was first offered in 1963. As a 3 screw frame. The Target Masterpiece started , as a short action in 1950. Five screw frame ended in 1955-1956. This 5 screw is a Target Masterpiece, stock model gun.

July 1, 2019, 09:11 PM	#21
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,333	So that makes it a k38?

July 1, 2019, 09:47 PM	#22
105kw Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2017 Location: Columbia Basin Washington Posts: 415	Basically, yes it's a K38, pre model 14.

July 1, 2019, 10:24 PM	#23
Grizzly2 Member Join Date: September 5, 2017 Posts: 88	The model 14's front sight is not that tall, yet I remember years ago seeing that tall sight. I think those who say it is the original K38 Target Masterpiece are correct. I don't know if it is just the way the light is hitting, but the cylinder bluing does not seem to match the rest of the revolver.

July 2, 2019, 11:02 AM	#24
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	Thanks for all the replies. So there is no, was no, never will be no 5-screw Model 19 with a sail for a front sight.