LA Sheriffs Smith & Wesson S&W Model 19-3 .357 Mag 6″ DA/SA Revolver 1972
SOLD FOR: $1303
LSB#: 211203FH31
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: 19-3, “The .357 Combat Magnum”
Serial Number: 2K70133
Year of Manufacture: 1972
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: DA/SA Double Action & Single Action Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON”, the right side “S.&W. 357 MAGNUM”. The sideplate is marked with the S&W logo and the right side of the frame with the four-line Marcas Registradas address. The yoke cut is marked with the model and serial numbers. The butt of the grip frame is marked with the serial number. The yoke and sides of the grip frame have inspection marks. The front face of the extractor is marked “K70133”.
Barrel Length: 6”, Pinned
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a patridge blade set on a ramped base on the serrated rib. The rear sight is a square notch leaf in a base that is micro-click adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth Goncalo Alves presentation stocks with S&W medallions at their tops and a football cut. The two panels have a large gap to one another. There are some areas of finish loss on the wood. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 93% of its metal finish. The cylinder is missing one of the ejector pins. There is some finish loss on the edges of the muzzle. There are a few scattered scuffs and draglines. The frame and sideplate have a few little spots of finish loss from previous oxidation under the grips. The frame has some scattered scuffs, some have thinned the finish and the most noticeable are on the trigger guard. There are a few scattered little marks through the finish. There is some finish loss on the edges of the frame. The cylinder has some wear on the edges and some little marks through the finish. There is a turn line through the finish on the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp to lightly worn with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: One of the extractor pins is missing from the cylinder. The action functions correctly. The double-action trigger is smooth and the single action crisp. The cylinder produces light play in lockup on each of the six chambers with the trigger depressed. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a serial matching two-piece box, ammunition record, and an LA County Sheriffs inspection record serial matched and dated 1978.
Our Assessment: The Model 19 was introduced in 1955 and built on a K frame that was slightly larger in the yoke area and was initially offered only with a 4″ barrel. The Model 19 was intended to be a “peace officers dream” and offered a heavy barreled four-inch K-Frame with a shrouded ejector rod and adjustable sights. In the ’60s was this revolver offered with a 6″ barrel and then in a more concealable 2 1/2″ barrel configuration. The model was a major success and would go on to be used by many law enforcement agencies including the uniformed officers of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and U.S. Border Patrol until they replaced them with .40 S&W semi-automatic pistols. This one is included with a serial matching certificate from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department rangemaster, it has the deputy’s badge number and we think it could have been a personally purchased gun approved for duty. The revolver has a 6″ example with a blued finish, built on a square-butt frame which offers a bit more control than the round-butt. Combine that with the 6″ barrel and you have a full-frame .357 with a 6-round capacity that can be used for home defense, target shooting, or duty and excel at all three! Please see our photos and good luck!