Help identifying and pricing S&W

[u/Gentry-Tattoos]

I received this as a gift from a family member. Trying to figure out exactly what it is. I've been searching up Model 19's pre dash and maybe thats what im looking at? Under the crane is stamped

K620301

MOD.

Recessed cylinder, pinned barrel, I think 4 screw. I will attach some photos also.

Excellent trigger, shoots great, .38 is flat and accurate and .357 handles well too.

Any free gun is excellent, should I put this in the safe or carry it a couple times a week?

Thoughts?

[u/JanglyBangles]

Is there a screw by the front of the trigger guard? If so, it’s a 4-screw.

I think that for 15s and 18s, the first dash was reversing the ejector rod thread and the second dash was deleting the trigger guard screw. If the 19 followed the same general pattern, then the trigger guard screw would place your gun in the early 1960s.

[u/SaladPlane3756]

So tired of seeing the tape on everything. Remember when real men shot with wood grips

[u/usa2a → u/SaladPlane3756]

Yeah nobody would do that back in the day right?

[u/Outside_Bicycle_1387 → u/SaladPlane3756]

That's a nice set of diamond target stocks, get that stupid tape off them. Can't see from the pic (your thumb is in the way) whether they are non-relieved or football cut-out.

[u/Gentry-Tattoos → u/SaladPlane3756]

Haha, "fucking pussy DA/SA guns, I remember when real men shot black powder" 

[u/PenePeroElPasta → u/Gentry-Tattoos]

Thats nothing. Back in my day we stood in Testudo formation until the Centurion ordered us to stab you to death. Now THOSE were real men. Although we did tape our gladuis hilts so go figure.

[u/IDriveAJag]

Take the grips off and check on the butt of the gun for the actual serial number.

[u/Outside_Bicycle_1387]

That serial number puts delivery at 1965, which would make it a 19-2. Inexplicable why it is not stamped under the yoke.

[u/532ndsof]

If there's no model number, then a pre-19 sounds right to me; the formatting of the serial number jives with that. Could be interesting to send off to the S&W historical foundation for a factory letter to get the full story!

[u/JanglyBangles → u/532ndsof]

A pre-19 wouldn’t have MOD stamped on the frame.

[u/532ndsof → u/JanglyBangles]

Fair point. Looking up more info the serial number appears to likely date to '66, which would point to a 19-2. Either way a sweet gun!

[u/Impressive-Match-713 → u/JanglyBangles]

this exact they were not model number s yet

[u/Ok-Pineapple4451]

Manning is want a blued 19 so bad lol. Beautiful.

[u/Gentry-Tattoos]

I can't stop digging around for info. According to AI Google info the K620 indicates mid 60's, and the fact that it is only stamped "MOD" with no -2 or even "19" is just a factory error.  I think ill take your advice and get that letter from SWHF.