"AFTERMARKET" Aluminum TARGET GRIPS???

BMur · #1 12-28-2021, 01:03 PM

I was performing museum research and stumbled on this listing. The museum claims the shoulder stock and "aluminum" target grips were actually "aftermarket" accessories offered at that time. The museum claims they were also offered for Harrington and Richardson, Colt's, and Iver Johnson pistols also? Never seen those either.
This 2nd model is listed as circa 1907 with 10" barrel. Also, notice the proof marks? Interesting. I tend to agree in my humble opinion that these are "aftermarket" and not "home made" additions. The skeleton stock is one piece not welded and the grips are "well made". I'm surprised that they aren't seen more. I've never seen them. Only the home made aluminum/pewter/ lead? set that was on the forum not long ago that looked home made...These do not!

Also: This gun is part of a very large display in the UK. Target guns were definitely more popular in Europe at that time and they tend to have a lot of very neat features.

Murph

opoefc · #2 12-29-2021, 06:28 PM

These shoulder stock set ups are hardly ever seen today. I believe they were offered in the early 1900s era and I recall having seen a few of them for various firearms, Colts, S&Ws, etc. A search of old dealer catalogs, like Bannerman, might show them.

BMur · #3 12-29-2021, 08:56 PM

Thanks Ed!

I looked in my 1889, and 1903 Bannerman's catalogs. It seems he was more focused on military surplus than aftermarket items.

I glanced through a small portion of my early Major Distributor catalogs from pre-1900 and found several offered by many distributors. However, I didn't find shoulder stocks for Smith & Wesson target guns except for the Revolving Rifle and some of the 44's that came with a shoulder stock, factory. Several Smith & Wesson target gun listings that are quiet detailed, offering extra barrels, etc. but no shoulder stocks.

Which makes me wonder why the factory didn't offer a shoulder stock for these target guns? If you look at Stevens? They sold tens of thousands with shoulder stocks and they were single shot? So, what do I know.

Since this gun resides in Europe and has period proof marks? I would guess that the stock was manufactured there, along with the aluminum grips. Both items in my opinion were aftermarket and offered for sale "somewhere". I don't think they were offered in the U.S.A. I do think that they are period manufactured. That's what the museum states. They might have some documented proof? I think I'll ask them.

Anyway, That's my thinking.

Murph

BMur · #4 12-29-2021, 09:20 PM

Here is a better close up of the Shoulder stock... It's definitely aftermarket in my opinion. It shows nickel plating and the grip curve is custom for a Smith & Wesson target pistol....It's not a generic type stock to grab any pistol with. If you look closely the lower tang of the stock actually "slides" into the aluminum grip. Then it is screwed into the back of the aluminum grip once in place. That's pretty custom to me.

I wonder who made it?

Murph

rct269 · #5 12-29-2021, 09:38 PM

My knee-jerk reaction is they (S&W) didn't offer shoulder stocks for their single shots because to do so would tend to identify them as hunting pistols rather than target pistols------and that was decidedly contrary to the image S&W wished to project------assuming, of course, there weren't any pistol matches contested with shoulder stock equipped target pistols-------which is most certainly my assumption. I suspect a pistol match competitor who showed up with a shoulder stock equipped pistol would have been summarily dismissed from the grounds-------with his tail on fire!!!

Ralph Tremaine

moosedog · #6 12-29-2021, 10:25 PM

I've seen other aluminum grips over the years. I believe they were the thing back in the 1950's era. You see them on WWII bring backs some times.

mmaher94087 · #7 12-29-2021, 10:57 PM

Just to help muddy the waters; there are several Target .32-44 and .38-44's that are stocked that have been 4-sale in the last 10 years. All were S&W factory examples. Of course, none had Aluminum stocks as that is aftermarket.