Got these grips on a S&W 629-3 5". I know they aren't original to the gun but I wanted to know if these were authentic S&W Combats. Part of what's throwing me off about them is that there's no washers on the back. I've read where they stopped doing the washers towards the end of the wood shops life and being as my gun is a late 80's early 90's production it would make sense that the original owner bought these from a blister pack. Anyways I just need some experts to tell me if they original or some Taiwan or other aftermarket grip. Thanks!

They are not factory grips, my guess would be they are made in Thailand.

Dang, seriously? What makes you say that?

They look like Thailand specials

Kurac is right. They look nothing like original Combats, and the factory stocks normally had matching numbers written on the inside of each half so they did not become separated.

Ok, thanks guys. Seems as the Thailand consensus is what it is. I didn't pay a premium for the gun as if they were factory grips. I was just hoping I got a bonus.

BTW, that's a nice looking 629-3 Classic. I bought one like it last month. The original grips are rubber Houges with S&W medallions

I dunno where you guys are finding these 5"ers. They are quite elusive in these parts. And I sooooo need one!

After doing a lot more research I'm seeing reference to people talking about original S&W Combats made in the later years that don't have the washers on the back side. Anybody have a set of these supposed grips that are confirmed originals that can post a picture I can compare too?

I recently bought a 5" 629-3 Classic that came with the factory combats. No washers. There are overseas eBay sellers selling cheap grips for S&W revolvers and looks like you now own a pair. This is what yours should have looked like.
BTW That's one nice gun you got there!!!

__________________
Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

Here are the early style N frame Combats with the washer, of course, but it shows the obvious difference in shape, and some even had a date stamp. The Combat stocks that are on 75Vette's 629 are the later style, commonly called "flat side" Combats

Attached Images

	DSCN5964.jpg (93.8 KB, 38 views)
	DSCN5960.JPG (267.2 KB, 33 views)
	DSCN5961.jpg (57.5 KB, 27 views)

The factory did still use the washers on some of the newer style flatside combats. Here's a set that came to me on a 624 that I got from a Forum member. (Thanks Mike!) The bottom of the grips were modified at some point but done professionally. Not by Bubba.

__________________
Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

I can say with absolute certainty those grips are not factory combats. As others have mention look like some cheaper Thialand knock offs. There also are some original smith wesson factory combats with out medallions that came on mostly the v-comp revolvers.

Eric