How are the decals on S&W wood grips applied ?
What is the method of removing them ?

Thanks,
Jimmy

What decals? Or rather what makes you think there are decals on the wood stocks?

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Jimmy,
IF you are referring to the S&W logo MEDALLION on the top of vintage S&W Grips, it is a pot metal casting that is held in place with a "washer" and is peened into place. You would have to grind off the peened portion and the washer will come off. Then you can gently push out the pot-metal logo. Make sure you push it straight out (not at an angle) or you could crack or chip the grips.

Note, Once the peening is ground off, the pin will be to short to be re-peened and the logo must then be glued back into place. You can purchase replacement logo's on ebay if you want them to be peened as originally done. If you don't want to buy new ones, a drop of Epoxy will do the trick to hold in the old ones.

Why would you want to remove them - just out of curiosity?

Hi:
Thank you for the information.
I am refinishing a pair of older grips and want to remove logo to avoid damage.

Jimmy

You can sometimes buy new ones on eBay that are older originals. N. O. S. New old stock

__________________
No gold. Only lead. Bobby

Jimmy,
What type of stocks are you refinishing?
You may do more harm trying to remove the logo verses just refinishing with them left on.

Masterbuck54

cut out some painters tape or masking tape and cover the medallions. You can use an empty case of the right size and pound it into the tape to make some "covers",

Charlie

Jimmy,
The Medallions should not be removed to re-finish grips because they can not be staked back and will require gluing as I stated above. Just cover them with a few layers of Painter's Tape and a little caution should do the trick. Medallions are not meant to be removed and replaced and protecting them is the preferred method while refinishing.

If you are concerned about something happening to them if you give the grips an Acetone bath, don't worry. Nothing happens to them. I've done many, but you would want to remove the painters tape before soaking and reapply during the staining/finishing process.
All the ones I refinished had a metal back washer since they were older grips. I'm not sure if newer ones have a plastic washer. Acetone will attack those.

ViperR,

SOME of the older S&W Medallions are gold plated - have you used Acetone on those? I would like to know if they are immune to Acetone too.