Mr. Judgecolt

223believer

Judgecolt,In another thread you mentioned the prewar quality of S&W revolvers. I'm a neophyte, and I was wondering if you could answer some questions.1. I'm assuming you meant WWII. If I'm wrong, please correct me.2. What was so good about the prewar guns? I have heard--forget the place or person--that the bluing was better on the very early guns. Is it the finish or some other aspect.3. I have a Model 19-3 .357 purchased sometime in the late 60's. I am knocked out by the gun; the trigger pull is just outstanding. Is it likely from a smith's work, or did they come from the factory like that. Were the late 60's still good years to buy a S&W revolver?4. What are the best prewar S&W revolvers to look for? Thanks for your help.

JudgeColt

That will teach a Colt guy to comment on Smith & Wessons! Actually, in secret, I like Smith & Wessons as well as Colts. 1. "Pre-War" is a common phrase in collector circles to designate the period between World War I (The Great War) and World War II. Most feel it was the "Golden Age" of American arms. There was still a lot of hand fitting and finishing at that time. After WWII had changed forever American production techniques and the farm boys never when back home and the women began to leave the home to work and etc., the gun business changed as well. Milled steel was replaced with plastic and cast aluminum, and wood was replaced with platstic, etc..2. Pre-War guns are finished far better than later guns. A Pre-War Smith has almost mirror bluing. The lines are crisp, the flats are perfectly flat and the actions hand-fitted and hand-honed. Each major part is serial-numbered. (Post-War guns continued the serial numbering of parts into the 1960s I think.) The grips were hand-checkered wood. 3. I think the late 1960s were still a good time to buy a Smith or Colt. According to Jinks' book, the -3 signifies the change in the location of the rear sight screw, and was authorized 12-14-67. Your M19-3 was probably a 1968 gun. It would have been a well-made gun when new, and years of use will have further smoothed the action.4. The "best" Pre-War Smiths could be endlessly debated. In my opinion, the Triple Lock "N" frames are the ultimate. The Registered Magnums are their equal or maybe better. Bring money, lots of it. Hope this helps.

223believer

Thank you so much for all the excellent information. I'm always amazed at the depth and breadth of knowledge on this board.What do you think of the new triplelocks that Smith is putting out? I read a review of them in Guntests that was very positive.Again, thanks for the help.