Medallion Conundrum

[LongColt45]

I have a newly acquired pair of 1950's era Non-Relieved Diamond Walnut Target stocks.

I am presuming that these medallions are nickel plated over brass, seeing as the screw on the backside of the medallion appears to be brass.

The left medallion is clean and bright silver. I left it alone.

The right medallion had that blue-green encrustation of verdigris around the edges, which I gently removed with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab. I also looks like the nickel plating on the center of the medallion has been worn down to the brass on the "S&W" portion of the design.

Does this look like it is the case to you?

If so, is this a case of "it is what it is"? Or, is there a source for period correct medallions like these? And if there is a source, would it be a faux pas of sorts to replace this worn medallion?

Thanks guys,
Charlie

Left:


Right:

[merl67]

Not sure it is faux pas but if you do use care getting the old one out. I have removed a few from some very worn/damaged grips and if you are not careful you can splinter the grips which in this case would be a tragedy.

[LongColt45]

Good to know, Merl.

At first I thought the gold like color on the right medallion was some kind of varnish or other coating, until I realized that the nickel probably just wore off. Would you agree?

[-db-]

It's common and you'll often see the right side medallion worn a bit more than the left side as the right side grip usually sees more wear from carry. The silver medallion color is more a "wash" than real plating and the high points wear down to the brass fairly easily. I would leave it all alone as no one who knows anything views it as any kind of real fault.

[LongColt45]

Sounds good to me, -db-. Thanks for the info.

Now that I have arrested the corrosion, I'll just leave the medallions as is. The stocks as a whole have no deep scratches or chips of missing wood, just lots of "character" which I kinda like.
C²