UPDATED: Anybody know about the Model 2206 Champion (Wischo import)?

[Camster]

Shoot a gun with them,and you probably will change your perspective.Superior quality,fit, and feel.They put all S&W grips to shame.
I've owned quite a few sets,and with some luck,ones with pretty wood can be found.I do have a set like those shown in the post for my 41,but frankly I just keep them as a nice accessory,as for my purpose,the factory stocks suit me.I do use their regular stocks on several revolvers.
I'd never buy them for an inexpensive gun.

 

[vigil617]

I'd never paid much attention at all to Nill-Griffe grips before noticing this 2206 for sale and starting this thread.

Aside from the special competition target grips that are on that one (and I agree, they aren't pretty, but I am sure they are beautifully functional), the more traditional style grips Nill produces for revolvers are gorgeous, fitted so closely they have to be removed in a specific way, and verrrry expensive. There have been several threads here on the Forum from folks who have owned them.

Thanks, all, for your comments and observations, and keep them coming if you have more to add. I'll keep an eye on the auction and will update this thread once it's over.

 

[shoot summ]

I'd never paid much attention at all to Nill-Griffe grips before noticing this 2206 for sale and starting this thread.

Aside from the special competition target grips that are on that one (and I agree, they aren't pretty, but I am sure they are beautifully functional), the more traditional style grips Nill produces for revolvers are gorgeous, fitted so closely they have to be removed in a specific way, and verrrry expensive. There have been several threads here on the Forum from folks who have owned them.

Thanks, all, for your comments and observations, and keep them coming if you have more to add. I'll keep an eye on the auction and will update this thread once it's over.

I actually ordered a set of Nill grips for an HK P7, now that you mention it I do remember there was a very specific way to install and remove them. They were very nice....

 

[vigil617]

I don't know if it helps, but I have a S&W Model 41 That was shipped to Wischo, May 1995. The gun has Belgium proofs on both the slide and barrel, and is laser engraved "Model 41 Champion" on the right side of the slide. Per the Smith factory the pistol was one of a special group of Model 41s made for Wischo and marked "Model 41 Champion".

Richard, now that you mention it, there is a used one of these for sale online right now for a very reasonable price (for a Model 41), and the description includes the information about Wischo importing it for competition pistol shooting and mentions the proofings, and the photos show the "Model 41 Champion" engraving on the side. It's the 5.5" barrel model, but has no magazine. It's also one of the "UBD" prefix serial numbers.

Since it's a live sale I can't post the link, but Googling "Model 41 Champion" shows how to get there, for anyone who might be interested. Another Google result was an individual's classified ad from the European Stars and Stripes from 1998 with one of these for sale (for $500!) and that could correspond with the 1995 vintage of the group that yours came from. Thanks for the info!

 

[Camster]

Perhaps not the best comparison,but when see Nill grips on a fairly modest pistol,it makes me think of the guy that puts a vinyl roof on a cheap new car.If he has the money for the roof,why not buy a better car in the first place? This little gun might have been heading toward a standard Model 41 price in it's day.

 

[Walter Rego]

I have a Model 31-1 that has WISCHO marked on the barrel flat above the extractor rod along with Belgian proofmarks on the barrel, rear cylinder face and frame. I have the original box but there are no indications there that it was an export model. I'm guessing it was purchased by a serviceman stationed in Europe and made it's way home.

 

[vigil617]

I have a Model 31-1 that has WISCHO marked on the barrel flat above the extractor rod along with Belgian proofmarks on the barrel, rear cylinder face and frame. I have the original box but there are no indications there that it was an export model. I'm guessing it was purchased by a serviceman stationed in Europe and made it's way home.

Thanks, Walter; your guess is probably right, especially if you bought the pistol here in the States. I'm assuming that if a service member bought an imported S&W while overseas, simply bringing it back home (as opposed to re-importing it for sale) would not have resulted in any additional proof marks being required.

Compare that with the Model 41 Champion now on a seller's site, which the item description clearly notes has both import marks to Wischo in Germany, and re-import marks of the seller who must have purchased it for re-sale here in America.

Thanks for the info, Walter!

 

[Slidemuzik]

Update on the 2206 Champion... reserve has been met @ 550. Now it should get interesting. Bet there's a furry of last minute bidding.

 

[shoot summ]

This 422 is on Armslist right now, think those are Nills or copies?

 

[vigil617]

If they're real, the seller is giving them away, based on the price asked for the pistol with its wood S&W grips and the "custom target grips" too.

Those grips look a little different from the ones on the 2206TGT that's on GB, but at the same time, if they're custom machine-cut grips, someone must have had some pretty sophisticated CNC machinery to make them. Maybe they used a tracing program on some real Nill grips to come up with the pattern to cut their own custom version?

I can't imagine buying and installing expensive Nill grips on a 422 but I guess stranger things have happened.... Not being a competitive shooter myself, I'm just not familiar with the measures to which competitors go to gain an edge.

Just for fun, I typed "Nill" in the search box on AL and it returned some interesting results, including some with photos of custom target grips on 22LR pistols, including Nill but also some other makers.

 

[Slidemuzik]

Still holding at 550. Set to sell tomorrow (Thurs) night. Looking for a bid bonanza to close out. Think I'll pop some corn and watch.

 

[vigil617]

A NIB 2206TGT popped up on Armslist last Sunday. I didn't see it until yesterday. It's priced at $600 and has everything. That's a good buy, IMHO.

 

[Slidemuzik]

SOLD! $731

Anybody here the winner?

 

[PbRx]

I got it. Will post details and pics once I receive it.

 

[Slidemuzik]

A NIB 2206TGT popped up on Armslist last Sunday. I didn't see it until yesterday. It's priced at $600 and has everything. That's a good buy, IMHO.

Interesting that the box isn't plastic. I think that's the first TGT I've seen in a cardboard box.

 

[Slidemuzik]

I got it. Will post details and pics once I receive it.

Congratulations! Looking forward to hearing more about it. I've been following this pistol on two forums.

 

[vigil617]

Yes, congratulations, PbRx! I think you made a good buy there. Are you a competitive 22LR shooter by any chance, or do you just like the 2206?

Love your screen name, by the way. Makes me wonder if you're maybe a doctor or a pharmacist who enjoys the shooting sports!

Looking forward to your pics, albeit the seller had some pretty detailed ones on the ad. I'm especially interested in those proof marks we talked about here in the thread.

Again, congratulations on scoring a unique and interesting pistol!

 

[Camster]

This 422 is on Armslist right now, think those are Nills or copies?

Copies in my opinion.Nills always have a stain,usually have stippling,usually are not laminate,and usually have their logo somewhere.I see none of those features.I don't see their usual heel adjustment either.That said,it looks like pretty nice work.Though I'm very much a blued finish guy,I prefer the looks of the stainless version at the top.

 

[PbRx]

Thanks vigil617. Will post close up pics when I get it home.

I'm a doc. I'm more of a plinker/collector than a target guy (although God know I tried)

 

[Slidemuzik]

PbRx, do you already own a 2206 or is this your first?