Pre M10 With Stags

DocB · #1 11-22-2016, 02:57 PM

I roamed back to the LGS this morning to see what the Colonel had brought in since I bought that 32 with MOP stocks. He must have really been into the rarer materials for grips. This one was out and kind of looked like crud, but the stags are the real deal. So, I paid a big old $200 for it and brought it home. The gun was made in 1948. A very low C7326X. All numbers match. I would not even begin to think that the grips are Smith since those are so rare; but, I figured they are worth more than I paid for the gun. They are perfect and undamaged. The screw fittings look like Smith. They are pretty nice. Very old grips. I did clean and wax them. They have that little half-moon lead piece at the top. . .don't think Smith did it that way but don't know for sure. Doused the gun with Rem-Oil and rubbed it down. Next alcohol. Then cold blue to cover the weak spots in the finish. Soaked the gun with oil and rubbed it in with my hands. Then wiped off the oil and waxed it. Amazingly, the gun is super tight and appears to have been fired only a few times. Unturned screws until I tried to remove the yoke release one and frigged it up. Not out yet. I will replace it. . .my bad. . .only use the best screwdrivers and still messed it up. So, how about these old grips? I'm ignorant about stags. They do hold well in the hand. They are also perfectly fitted to the gun.

Wyatt Burp · #2 11-22-2016, 03:05 PM

So, you bought a pair of stag grips for a real great price and got a gun for free. Those grips are nice and very symetrical in bark pattern on each side. Good going.

gmborkovic · #3 11-22-2016, 03:39 PM

Hello Doc B, that is a great buy for $200. Im a a 10 fan and a stag fan. Glad you added to the corral. Best

DocB · #4 11-22-2016, 05:23 PM

I neglected to show the gun in its holster. . .a nice little Heiser from the same period. A real bargain basement BBQ rig. The gun was easy to touch up since it had the post-war satin finish. With a bright blue Smith, you clean and polish and leave it alone. With a satin finish Smith, you can have at it. I should mention that there was a Nickel Colt 357 Trooper with a 4 inch barrel and Stag Grips out of the same collection in Milledgeville at the LGS. It was to die for if you're a Colt collector. . .I'm not. If I remember correctly it was priced at $700. Another one of the colonel's guns.

Richard M · #5 11-22-2016, 05:40 PM

Love those stag grips and the holster. Can't beat that price too! Here's mine... image.jpg

crsides · #6 11-22-2016, 06:19 PM

Nice pick up Doc. My grip guys says sambar stag is harder to get than ivory and the supply has already dried up. They put you in jail for trading ivory illegally, for stag that shoot you. that's a nice set there, just the right amount of grain.

I got an S numbered 1947 2" m&p with stags around here, but no pic. Guess I better get busy.

Ok, here we go

Charlie

DocB · #7 11-22-2016, 06:41 PM

How can you tell if it's Sambar Stag? I did hear it comes from India and has been banned. I like those on the snub. Maybe I'll get out one of my early snubs and try them out on it.

Kansasgunner · #8 11-22-2016, 07:01 PM

Really nice combination you got there! I paid $200 at the Tulsa gun show a week ago for an old pair of K round butt stags and was tickled to get them.
Sambar stag is very dense and so well suited for making grips, knife handles, etc.. Anytime you see those real nice old grips with the bark and popcorn on them they are Sambar stag.
If you have the opportunity to compare them with a pair of elk grips you will immediately see the difference.

DocB · #9 11-22-2016, 10:46 PM

Tim. Thanks. Now I understand the deal with Sambar Stag grips. Since they have apparently been banned in India, I guess they will get a bit pricy in the future.

Mblhopo · #10 11-23-2016, 10:25 AM

India stopped exporting Stag a couple years ago, It's about as much as ivory used to be and getting harder to find. [I have been collecting Sambar Stag for about 25 yrs]... It's better than elk and a lot more colorful...............................................................M*

weatherby · #11 11-23-2016, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mblhopo

India stopped exporting Stag a couple years ago, It's about as much as ivory used to be and getting harder to find. [I have been collecting Sambar Stag for about 25 yrs]... It's better than elk and a lot more colorful...............................................................M*

Can you start a thread with some of your collection?
I for one would love to see it.

BAM-BAM · #12 11-23-2016, 10:35 AM

If you look at the base/bottom of the grip Sambar is very dense whereas Elk has a porous/open grain look.