Folks, I have a new-in-case Straightline, bought some years back from the elderly man who said he purchased it new. It has finely checkered grips that the gentleman said came with the gun. I've seen a few Straightlines but never one before with checkered grips. Checkering is on the lower portion of grips, stopping at the dished-out area at top.

Anyone seen another with such grips? I haven't sent for a letter for any of my single-shots, but should do so.

Can someone tell me what S&W letters cost these days? It's been some years since I sent for one, and I'm wondering if S&W is now ripping people off as badly as "Colt" does for a letter. S&W was quite reasonable years back.

Regards, Ralph Boineau

I don't know about your stocks, but S&W charges $50 for the letter. Any chance of photos of your gun? Kyle

Rboineau:
The only Straight Line with checker stocks I've ever seen is in the NRA National Firearms Museum. It's a beautiful gun. Here is the web link, below. Be sure to click on the numerous photos on the righthand side. They are very high resolution & you can enlarge the photos about as far as you want to see the details. You can easily spend hours on this website.

The National Firearms Museum: Smith & Wesson Straight Line Single Shot Pistol

I've heard of at least one that was sent back for factory checkering after delivery. I'm not sure what the story is on the museum gun.

As Alaskavett said - photos of yours would be great. What is your S/N ?

The Straight Lines are fascinating guns. You should definately get yours lettered.

__________________
Mitch
SWCA 2438

The one in the NRA museum, ser. #265, was the only one I knew of with checkered grips, and it is checkered in both the side areas and the dished out part at the top. Ralph says his is checkered only n the sides and not in the top section, so I'm assuming that checkered stocks on Straightlines are either a special order from S&W, or was done after market. Ser. Nos. 1 & 3 Straightlines, as were all others I've owned with wood stocks, have smooth stocks- no checkering. I've seen checkered ivory stocks, but don't know if they were factory stocks. Ed.

I thank you gentlemen for the information. Unfortunately I do not have my own computer (using the library's right now) so cannot host/send pictures. Perhaps I can get a friend--oh, wait a minute, I don't have any friends left--neighbor to host for me, and if so I'll send a picture. Regards, Ralph Boineau