Combat Magnum Original Grips question

[WCCPHD]

Several years ago I bought a excellent condition Combat Magnum. It had the original grips; however, they had been severely modified. I assume the modification was to better fit the owner's hands. What is interesting the gun may be unfired since leaving the factory. If it has been fired it was not much.

I bought a K-22 Outdoorsman from the mid-1930's which came to me with an early pair of diamond target grips, which I put on the Combat Magnum (after finding a correct pair of service grips for the K-22.

My question is are the grips on the gun (in the photos below) the correct type that would have originally been on the gun?





The photos below show the original grips which were modified.





Thanks in advance.

Bill

[RalphK22]

Rot an expert, but your model 19 would have to be older than 1968 for those to be correct. Diamonds where eliminated in 68 I think. What dash number is your 19? I think they look great even if not correct.

[WCCPHD]

Originally Posted by RalphK22

Rot an expert, but your model 19 would have to be older than 1968 for those to be correct. Diamonds where eliminated in 68 I think. What dash number is your 19? I think they look great even if not correct.

It is a "pre-19," shipped in February of 1957.

[RalphK22]

OK, now I think they would not of had the "football" cut out at that time. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I will come along.

[RalphK22]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachm...1&d=1602282000

[JP@AK]

WCCPHD

Your replacement stocks are the correct style for a 1957 Combat Magnum. My only question is that they appear to be walnut. IIRC, the Combat Magnums were shipped with GA. But perhaps not that early. Someone else may come along to rule on that issue. I'm quite certain that the Model 19 normally shipped with GA.

[Engine49guy]

The Combat Magnum was introduced in 1955 but didn't ship en mass until after the holiday shutdown in early 1956.
From my personal observations the earliest CM's all had the football relief cut target stocks, Its only a guess but I'm thinking it was not a coincidence since .357 cases are longer.
If you compare your original 57 stocks to the new ones you will notice they are different, the older ones checkering at the heel makes a sharp turn upwards at the backstrap where the newer ones have a rounded transition at the back of the heel .
This change occurred sometime around 1963-64 IIRC.
I have seen 56-62 Combat Magnums with stocks made of GA, Rosewood as well as Walnut .

[handejector]

Look at your "original" grips. If not original, they are exactly correct- Goncalo Diamonds with the football cut. I've never seen an early CM with anything else on it, and we know the very earliest shipped with them.

[WCCPHD]

Originally Posted by handejector

Look at your "original" grips. If not original, they are exactly correct- Goncalo Diamonds with the football cut. I've never seen an early CM with anything else on it, and we know the very earliest shipped with them.

Thanks.

Are the grips that are on the gun now walnut or Goncalo Alves?

I'm not good at identifying wood types.

[JayCeeNC]

I lettered a pre-Model 19 from July, 1958, which shipped with Walnut target grips.

[PaulDoc]

This is my pre model and these are the original grips. Hope this helps.

[Doc44]

Combat Magnum, K260005, shipped on January 20, 1956 with original stocks. Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

[Wiregrassguy]

Absolutely beautimus, Bill!

[larryofcc]

According to Mr. Jinks, my # 262336, was shipped 7-20-56, and was one of 50 shipped to Shapleigh Hardware. All in the same configuration. Also. according to Mr. Jinks, all the early Combat Magnums have walnut stocks, until. I think. 1958, when the higher priced GA stocks became available and upped the cost of the revolver. My 1960 Combat Magnum has the GA stocks and is lettered as such. Big Larry

[Doc44]

The Combat Magnum was cataloged with target stocks made of walnut until 1959 when the listing was changed to Goncalo alves. However, I have seen quite a few early Comat Magnums and I have never seen one with stocks made of American walnut. Below is K260190 shipped on May 1, 1956 with original stocks. Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

[handejector]

Originally Posted by WCCPHD

Thanks.

Are the grips that are on the gun now walnut or Goncalo Alves?

I'm not good at identifying wood types.

The grips you show ON the gun are walnut.
The altered pair you say are original are Goncalo.

[WCCPHD]

Originally Posted by handejector

The grips you show ON the gun are walnut.
The altered pair you say are original are Goncalo.

Thanks much

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by handejector

The grips you show ON the gun are walnut.
The altered pair you say are original are Goncalo.

Thanks, Lee. That is exactly what I thought, and why I posted what I did (Post #6).