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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 02-28-2019, 01:57 PM
younggun22 younggun22 is online now
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Default J Frame Roper Stocks

I picked up what I believe is a set of Roper stocks for a J Frame or maybe an I frame, I’m not really sure. The frame relief fits my 340PD, which is the only round butt J Frame I have on hand.

They don’t have the jig marks which is what some people use to verify but they do wrap up near the sides trigger guard which is what Keith Brown has said is one of the best indicators for a set of Roper stocks.

The craftsmanship and overall feel is spot on to my other set of Ropers so I am pretty convinced that they are authentic but I would be interested in hearing what everyone else thinks as I am far from an expert.

Since I don’t have anything that they will fit, I guess my other question is what should I keep an eye open for that would be vintage appropriate?

Here are few quick pictures


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Old 02-28-2019, 02:15 PM
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That's cool! Nice they made something for the little guys. Those would look great on a nickel Pre 30.
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Old 02-28-2019, 02:21 PM
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There are a few things that look "right" and a few things that look "wrong." I'm afraid they may fall into this category;

To be or not to be....ROPERS??? That is the question

Have a look, I started this thread a few years ago and have my own opinions.

VERY nice, whatever they are. I'd be happy to own them.
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Old 02-28-2019, 03:30 PM
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Those are mighty handsome.

If your 340 fits, they'd be a bit long on a pre-Model of 1953 I or J frame.

Since you don't have anything period-correct to put them on I'll send along my address and relieve you of the burden of finding something that would be.

They'd look great on this 1954 Chiefs.

Bob

ps: Hmmm. Now that I look closer, they might have originally been made for an older I-frame or a Baby Chiefs. It looks like somebody Dremeled them for a newer one.
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File Type: jpg 1954 Chiefs L.jpg (135.4 KB, 46 views)
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Last edited by two-bit cowboy; 02-28-2019 at 03:32 PM. Reason: ad ps
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Old 02-28-2019, 04:32 PM
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First thing that jumps out at me is that they were made for an I frame and later modified for a J frame, which Bob pointed out also.

As to being genuine ropers, they sure give off that vibe, but there are also things that don't seem quite right. I can't say for certain. They remind me of a set that I have which seem pretty roper like, but I don't think are. I've long thought someone who had handled a lot of ropers made my set, maybe the same person?

Excellent set, whoever made them. I'd love owning them personally, I think you did well to acquire them.
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Old 02-28-2019, 05:07 PM
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I thought they were made for an I frame as well but wouldn’t there be another hole in the stocks for the locator pin in the larger J frame.

I don’t have an I frame so I don’t know if the pin placement is different, but I assume it would be.
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Old 02-28-2019, 08:18 PM
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FWIW, I think they are Roper's but I also agree with others that they've been routed out to fit a different gun than what they were originally fit to.
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Old 02-28-2019, 08:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by younggun22 View Post
I thought they were made for an I frame as well but wouldn’t there be another hole in the stocks for the locator pin in the larger J frame.

I don’t have an I frame so I don’t know if the pin placement is different, but I assume it would be.

Locator pin is same (j frame is just longer [under the pin])
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Old 02-28-2019, 09:07 PM
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Locator pin is the same for I- and J-frames, so this isn't an issue. We lovers of the little frames discovered long ago that if the grips completely enclose the grip frame, J-frame grips work perfectly well on their older brethren.

As for the origin of those grips, even before Bubba go hold of them with his Dremel, the interior finish work just doesn't look up to Roper levels, not to mention the lack of the little square hole we've come to expect for the fixture. The exterior work looks good and I could go either way, but regardless, I would go for them to put on one of my RPs, especially a RP Target

Regards,
Froggie

PS VM types faster and more concisely.

Last edited by Green Frog; 02-28-2019 at 09:09 PM.
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Old 02-28-2019, 10:04 PM
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I have this I set on my Kit gun. It does fit the rebated frame.





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Old 02-28-2019, 10:32 PM
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Very nice grips but I also don't see the original Roper "jig" marks to hold them while being shaped.

I agree with several above that they were originally made for pre war I frame round or rebated grip frame and post war pre 1953 models of the I and Baby J frame (which are all the same size).

But have had the in-letting at the bottom, extended to fit post 1953 new I and new J grip frames as well; 1/8" longer than pre 1953 grip frames. And exactly the same as the S&W I/J frame target stocks fit all of the above models.
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Old 02-28-2019, 10:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paplinker View Post
I have this I set on my Kit gun. It does fit the rebated frame.

Beautiful!

Yes, those will properly fit any early I and J rd butt grip frames prior to 1953, and all round butt rebated I grip frames including those with the square cut front toe. Because of the sq corner in-letting yours has at the toe.
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Old 03-01-2019, 02:12 PM
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I would love to find a 3 inch chiefs special to put them on. Not really big into .32 or .38 S&W or I would look at the I frame.


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Old 03-01-2019, 05:55 PM
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This is a tough one for sure. Would like to see them together from the front to see the trigger guard wrap around feature. Cant see it very well otherwise. As I don't know S&W frames could the Jig holes have been advertently removed during the modification?
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Old 03-01-2019, 07:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by younggun22 View Post
I would love to find a 3 inch chiefs special to put them on. Not really big into .32 or .38 S&W or I would look at the I frame.


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Very Nice stocks my 32 likes them...….LOL

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Old 03-02-2019, 09:58 AM
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Based on my observations of Ropers over the years and reading Ropers book, my vote would be NO. They are nice stocks but are missing several of the telltale features that Ropers have including the jig marks. I won't elaborate so as not to give fakers any more help.
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Old 03-02-2019, 11:54 AM
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Here is another quick picture. I realize the square jig holes are a good indicator but give me 10 min and I can make you some ...

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Old 03-02-2019, 01:20 PM
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Great grips ! Interesting thread. My opinion based on the photos, in particular the last closeup, thanks for that. I see nothing in or on them that I haven’t seen on other grips that are unquestionably attributed to Mathias Gagne’s hand. I will point out a few subtle things, the diamonds are not the exact same size/shape and are not set at the same angle. The gentle flair at the heel of the grip, not easy to do, I know this from experience, how one person may do it could look very different when another set of hands try’s to replicate it even though the “other guy” thinks he nailed it. The grooves down the back strap mocking the actual frame grooves, have seen that or a variation of it many times. Same goes for the mini thumb rest or more of a ridge, also have seen that before. They were made a set at a time to a particular customers wants, variations must abound. I’ve yet to observe that precisely cut little fingernail of wood on any other makers grips, a few times something similar but nor nearly as delicate, to replicate it while getting everything else “just” right, good luck to ya !
Jig marks, almost always there, but if that’s all your looking for I could fool you easy. In a thread years ago I showed how easy this could be done, walked out the the garage and grabbed a nail, file and a routed set of grips, two minutes file work, couple hammer taps and bam, real Ropers ! Not really as the finished grips had jig marks but were pretty obviously my work. All of the above is just my opinion and I suppose could be proven wrong tomorrow, but for now I’m good with it.
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