Am having a search and brain glitch - what are those metal plates called that some cops, shooters tended to screw on to the butt of their S&W wood grips? Are they still available, anyone make them?

Am not attaching to anything valuable such as GA, Cokes, etc. Am turning a round butt into a square with old set of service stocks. The metal plate will help cover up some cosmetics.

I am not sure what you are talking about, but there a several grip companies that make round to square conversion grips. You may want to give them a try.

Those were popular in the 70”s throughout the 80”s. I have only seen them for Smith & Wesson K frame. Many law enforcement officer would have their department logo or a military branch served on the butt of the gun.Some came with a kit which required the wood to be drilled and hardware installed allowing for the screws to be screwed into allowing for continuous removal for cleaning.I ought a set at a gun show that was home made with no logo. It dressed up a finish worn model 10 I had them on. I mention this because you might have to go that route if you cannot find one.

It wouldn't be that difficult to make your own with sheet brass, you could even have them engraved with whatever suited you.

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SWHF #595

You might need to learn some metal skills and make your own. Get a piece of sheet brass, rough cut one a little oversize, mount it, protect the stocks and file it to a perfect fit for your stocks.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Butt plate?

I remember seeing one and thinking it maybe was to add weight, a target thing.

I thought they were attitude adjusters!
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

I thought they were to protect the bottom of the stocks from the nicks and dings they would otherwise inevitably acquire from getting in and out of cars, etc.

If from time to time they helped some miscreant see the error of his ways, well, that was a bonus feature.

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You're shy a few manners.

I traded for a S&W 66-1 recently. The smooth factory target grips had a metal plated screwed onto the butt. The plate is 1/4 inch thick and must weigh 8 ounces. The plate was held on by 4 wood screws.

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SWCA 1932 SWHF 135

Head knocker!
Easy to make and install yourself. Every one is unique as every set of target grips are different.

They were called "door knockers" down heah in Alabama By the Troopers.

Were popular in the 70s and early to mid 80s.

S&W Model 19s and Pythons were poudly displayed by the cops.

Most had a miniature badge or engraved patch and officer's name on them. Brass was polished daily, ya know....

Here is picture of after-market nickel 28-2 I recently posted on forum. I called it a Butt Plate. One comment called it a "Butt Cap" and the other " Skull Knocker".
Good luck on your project.
Ray

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S&W M28-2 Butt Plate Pic.jpg (48.6 KB, 187 views)

In the 70's and 80's, some Indianapolis PD and Marion County Sheriff deputies used to have hat badges attached to brass or polished stainless plates mounted on the bottom of the grips.

Thanks all. I think I'll do the work myself - got to leave a window for the serial number, yes?

Anyway, the reason for this is a 3" Model 24 round butt. I want to use square butt service stocks on it with a BK Grips "T Grip". The issue becomes not only filling the grip on the rear of the grip, but on the butt of the grip too. And the front right about where your pinky finger would sit. All pretty easy to go and look clean & neat. But that butt can be a bit of a challenge and my thought was to cover it with a metal plate. I have some 1/16" brass and brushed aluminum that should work fine.

In case anyone's worried - the original combat grips stay as is.

Houston P. D. had a custom plate as I recall.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

We had a local jeweler that made these out of polished stainless. They would engrave whatever you wanted on there. They have been out of business for many years. Cost started at $20.00 and went up depending on how complicated the engraving was.

Yes a butt plate. The I frame .38 S&W Regulation Police Model sq butt was provided with a factory butt plate reportedly for added weight on the 1938 Post Office contract for 500 guns with 2" barrel. That's the only factory supplied butt plate I'm aware of.

No, you would not have to make a window for the serial # to be visible. All factory target grips similarly cover the butt # and on your Mod 24 and HEs made after about 1958, it's visible in the yoke cut of the frame anyway.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

i have only seen pics of the plates but i like it. i wonder, would copper be too soft. i think it would be easier to work with. if anyone finds a pre manufactured one that just needs a little individual fitting please share with us. i'm thinking, initials/model #s or anything that suits a mans fancy engraved on it would be way cool for a set of beaters on an every day carry piece. now you've done it. it becomes a must have now. thanks, kenny

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Too good

My father in law had one made for his duty gun. He was an officer from the late 60's to the late 90's. During his tenure they were quite popular. A jeweler in Houston named Nelson Silva, if I recall correctly, made a bunch of butt plates and other LE custom made items. By the time I started in 1982 Butt plates were pretty much a thing of the past at my agency. Most of our officers carried a revolver with pachymar grips back then. I will snap a pic of his butt plate when I get by the house later. I believe it was made of sterling silver and 10ct gold and put on the gun for ornamental purposes

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	butt plate.jpg (83.0 KB, 99 views)
	butt plate 2.jpg (68.3 KB, 76 views)

I have 1 myself for Herrett Target Stocks. It is shiny! Bob

There is no need to leave a "window" for the serial number ...a lot of grips and every cap I have seen covers the serial number ... You must leave the serial number on the butt ... but you can cover the number with grips or butt cap/plate .
No Window Required
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

I believe that this is what you are asking about. I purchased this model 15 purely because of the butt plate. Since it is a Commonwealth of Mass insignia it seemed a no brainer since I live in the Commonwealth.

As you can see there are no visible screws. I haven't removed the stocks lately but IIRC there is a connection used similar to those used to attach a lanyard ring.

PS: Curiosity got the better of me so off came the stocks. The imprint inside states:

FITTED WITH
BEAR-BUTT TM
SERIAL NUMBER: 47

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	stock butt plate.jpeg (17.0 KB, 113 views)
	stock butt plate 2.jpeg (34.9 KB, 95 views)
	stock photo 3.jpeg (20.4 KB, 114 views)

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James Redfield
LM #497

Now that's a clever attachment (except on original grips). I'd use another set of grips if I added a buttplate. Sure wouldn't like 4 screws.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Very nice, great quality. Interesting way of fixing it to the grip.

No, you do not have to make a window through which the serial number on the butt of the frame can be viewed. Factory target stocks always covered this portion of the frame as do many aftermarket stocks. What you cannot do is to alter that number or modify the frame butt in any way that would truncate or remove that serial number.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Jack Flash was correct in that they were there to keep the edges of the grips from being chipped up. The good old days when officers could have a personalized gun that actually fit their hands and needs.

As long as you do not remove or deface the serial number, you are fine. Many S&W's have target stocks that cover the serial number on the butt and it is not an issue. As long as the serial number is there and intact you are good.

Again as I have said many times here before, how many times have you been stopped and had your firearm examined by law enforcement anyway? Even if you were, you could swing out the cylinder and show the one in the yoke (if present) or worst case remove the stocks and show the one on the butt. Most folks, including law enforcement, have no idea where every manufacturer places the serial number and therefore as long as you could show one you won't end up in the grey bar Hilton.

But again, how many times have your been stopped? In 50 years of transporting and carrying guns, I have never been approached. Not even by a game warden while hunting or fishing which I do every year.

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James Redfield
LM #497

SO did New Orleans Police Department, Was pretty cool if I remember correctly. That was back when, if you were cool, you had a 4" 66 or 19 with target grips and that NOPD plate

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Forum consigliere

The ones I saw while working down in Old Alabamy were similar to the one posted by Toyman. Mostly, they were made from 1/4" thick brass and had engravings like the S&W emblem, the officer's name, a departmental badge, etc.

One skinny po-leese chief from a nearby small town had his engraved "Barney"

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

The above comment is correct. Most of the badge butt plates were made by the Nelson Silvia Company in Houston. They also made regular badges, rodeo buckles etc. They still show a business listing of 3400 Crawford in Houston, but I do not know if this is good.

Thanks, and I agree.

I'm from NE MA & southern NH (Andover, Plaistow) and did most of my duck hunting in Newburyport at the Parker River Refuge. We did see Game Wardens & probably had our plugs checked once in a blue moon, at most. But you're right - other than that pretty much never.

Not sure where the "can't cover" got into my head. Probably on the internet.

We had them in Denver, too. Usually brass to match what we used with our leather gear. I only had some engraving, but some had miniature badges, eagles, etc. attached. Common name for us was "butt plate." I remember having kept the set of S&W grips that my plate was fitted to when trading guns... I'd put the grips on the new gun. Can't remember where I put it, probably lost in a move along the way. I do have the intention of making my own one of these days - got a sheet of brass and some short brass screws from Hobby Lobby to do it.