judge sam

I don't know much about S&W revolvers. I know frame sizes, I know model numbers, but dashes elude me. I don't know what makes a -2 or -5 etc. The owner of this gun wants to do a trade. He says it's a 19-5, made in the 70s, but the grips, rear sight, and hammer look a bit "off". What can you guys tell me about it. Is it worth a used canik 9mm? Is it even a .357? Is it even s&w?

judge sam

Well, I was able to find out that the 19-5 didn't come out until 1982. So, either it isn't a 19-5, or it wasn't made in the 70s.

MATT HELM

Hard to tell from the pic , if it is a N frame or the supposed K frame ....eg. a 19 suspect.
I would guess it is pre 50's. ?.... " REGISTERED MAGNUM"

In that shape { left side only} more than 500 bucks.

dfariswheel

Open the cylinder and look at the frame just under the barrel.
If the gun was made after 1958 it will have a model number and any revision (dash) number stamped there.
No model number, it was made before 1958.

The "dash" number signifies a design change to a S&W made after 1958.
As example, the first version of the Model 19 would be stamped on the frame as "M19".
After a design change was made the new type would be stamped "M19-1" and so on as each change was made.

In any case, this is NOT a Model 19 revolver. This one was made long before the Model 19 was introduced.
It's an early pre-1950's model, identified by the pre-war type hammer, rear sight, and grips.

From the picture I can't tell if the gun is a "K" frame or a large "N" frame model.v Since they look so much alike, we'd need more then just that picture.

Whatever model it is, in most any condition unless it's wrecked, it's worth a lot more than a Canik.

emptymag

That is a N-frame from the 1950s.
Model 23 "Outdoorsman" in .38-44 caliber,
the hottest of the .38s prior to the .357 Magnum...
hence they felt the need to move to the larger N-frame platform.
It will fire .38 Special, but not .357.
And it is probably worth 2 or 3 Caniks, maybe more to a collector.

retDAC

Welcome to Pistolsmith, emptymag.

judge sam

How can you tell it's a .38/44 and not a .357?

.22M.R.F.

judge sam, you should be able to see the roll stamp on the side of the barrel indicating the .38 Special Caliber, another value enhancing feature not mentioned is the "N" frame Grip Adapter.
The revolver pictured was produced concurrently during the same time period as the "Heavy Duty" also chambered for the .38 Special but minus the "Target" adjustable sights. This was the basis for the original.357 Magnum.
Now that I have opened this mouth I sure hope my foot isn't somehow inserted into it and sure hope someone is nice enough correct the mistakes in this post when they find them!

cohee

I thought Wild Bill was the oddest looking smith on this site.