oops, my mistake Frosty...
This afternoon, a friend (who collects S&W revolvers) informed me
that I have a Model 13, not a 19.
There's a D2 in front of the serial # which indicates that it was probably made in 1975.
SO it is perfect trading fodder after all, along with whatever else I can scrounge up.
didn't mean to mis-lead
thanks for your help
have tape, and need new glasses...