I could use a little help identifying What I believe are Belgian Proof Marks on a S&W Model 19. Thanks to help in another forum I believe I have part of the history of this gun, but not all. I believe that the proof house and the year can be identified from the proof marks, but I would like to confirm that, because it will help to identify the revolver properly.
When acquired the gun, I knew it was, re-imported to the US from Europe fairly recently, but was not sure if it had been modified while there. Here is what I know so far:
After some help I found a note in the SCSW book that mentions a Model-P, and confirms the approx year. Apparently an overrun of a special order, shipped to Europe. Proof marks are NOT German as I first thought, no sign of an Eagle over N or German house marks.
What I still need help with:
When acquired the gun, I knew it was, re-imported to the US from Europe fairly recently, but was not sure if it had been modified while there. Here is what I know so far:
- S&W Model 19-P
- Fixed sights
- Slotted, painted front ramp sight (this is what threw me a curve but apparently factory)
- WISCHO mark on barrel (I know this is or was an importer based in Erlangen, Germany)
- S/N AWF17xx (according to the SCSW 4 this dates it to ~1987)
After some help I found a note in the SCSW book that mentions a Model-P, and confirms the approx year. Apparently an overrun of a special order, shipped to Europe. Proof marks are NOT German as I first thought, no sign of an Eagle over N or German house marks.
What I still need help with:
- What looks like a crown over a cursive L in an oval, may be a Belgian mark for foreign firearms. Same mark on bottom of barrel, frame in front of trigger guard, and rear face of cylinder (almost invisible)
- P over bar on bottom of barrel, a date code (?)
- Star over a letter on barrel (??)





