29-3 Happy finding - wooden grip

[eksund]

Hi
I am a happy guy today and maybe tommorow as well!

By pure luck, I found something I have been looking for some time now. Several years actually.

When I purchased my 29-4 it was fitted with a rubber grip. I do not like rubber grips, so I have been looking around for a wooden grip.

I found this on a local auction site here in sweden.

What do you think? Price? Under $25!

New in a battered package. It feels like wood, it smells like wood, but still, the packing says "Recoil absorbing rubber". Anyone have further info on this old grip?

 

[eksund]

I have to answer myself here!
I wonder if I have got an original S&W grip?
Someone have bought a Hogue, replaced the grip and put the original back in the package.
It bears all likeness of my original K14 grip.
I need expertise help here!

 

[Tom K]

Somebody put a Hogue rubber grip on their gun and put the original wood grips in the Hogue packaging for safekeeping. Happens all the time.

*edit* - I see you figured it out while I was typing.

 

[eksund]

Somebody put a Hogue rubber grip on their gun and put the original wood grips in the Hogue packaging for safekeeping. Happens all the time.

You have same thoughts as me.

 

[Mike C2]

Those walnut, football cutout, diamond targets date from 1956-1968. IMO much nicer and more valuable than the speed-loader cutout Goncalo Alves that would have come on your 29-3. Some of them were stamped with the guns serial number on the right hand grip during the earliest time period they were made. Those stamped grips were probably on what was originally to be a 1955 frame that was re-purposed into a 44 mag.

 

[rubiranch]

My 66-1 came to me with Hogue monogrips.

 

[Tom K]

My 66-1 came to me with Hogue monogrips.

Looks like Pachmayr "Gripper" grips to me. The Hogue Monogrip attaches with a stirrup that goes on the bottom of the grip frame, and slide onto the frame from the bottom up.

 

[Teddydog]

Nice purchase! I have some vintage N-frames that are jealous!

rob

 

[merl67]

Outstanding deal someone put Hogues on their N frame put the originals in the packaging for safe keeping probably sold the gun and forgot about the original grips. You stole them at that price...

 

[swagmeister]

I don't believe that Hogue ever made a grip like that. Years ago I saw a Hogue smooth wooden grip on a Colt Python, but have never seen one on a S&W. Those are factory S&W stocks. BTW, I like the Millette Sites on your gun. They are very hard to find today at any reasonable price. Well done on that purchase!!!

 

[eksund]

Yes I think it was a steal. I also belive it came from an estate and the seller did not know what he was selling. But on the other hand, there is not that many of us owing a N frame revolver in sweden so the competition is not that severe. We where only three bidders, with a starting bid at $10. But as I mentioned, I´m happy to have it.

 

[rubiranch]

Looks like Pachmayr "Gripper" grips to me. The Hogue Monogrip attaches with a stirrup that goes on the bottom of the grip frame, and slide onto the frame from the bottom up.

My bad and you are 100% correct.
It was my 686 that came with the Hogue monogrips.

 

[VM]

You did great eksund, those Diamond target grips are worth 7-8 times your investment (IMO).

 

[M29since14]

Yes, absolutely original S&W target stocks and look very nice on your Model 29. Nice find! I hope you enjoy them.

 

[double-dipper]

eksund, I'll offer you double your money for them! The "football" cut black stock circles, non-relived dimond targets are my favorite stocks. I have one set. I've never had the privilege of holding Coke grips yet. one day I will.

 

[bill-in-texas]

Great find, eksund!

As others have already said, you scored the genuine article,
and in the opinion of many here, (nearly) the best "shoes" ever shod on a Model 29!



-Bill

 

[eksund]

One reply raised a question. I have heard about "coke bottles" grip. But I am not able to determine the difference between coke and not coke. How do you tell the difference? I realize there is a lot to learn about something as simple as revolver grips.

All I looked for was an S&W wooden grip, a large one. Maybe the large ones is called target. Where I live almost all handguns is and was sold for target shooting and have the wide trigger, the wide hammer and a large grip.

My next revolver will be an K-22 Masterpiece from the sixties, if I get the permit. $250. That is also equipped with large grip, trigger and hammer. But that's another story in another thread.

 

[merl67]

The area that is checkered is larger, and when viewed from the rear cokes have a noticeable palm swell which gives them the Coke Cola bottle appearance

 

[Tom K]

The area that is checkered is larger, and when viewed from the rear cokes have a noticeable palm swell which gives them the Coke Cola bottle appearance

Here's a comparison (not my pictures):

 

[Green Frog]

As you now know, neither the grips you just bought nor the "Cokes" would have come from the factory on your 29-3. That said, the ones you found complement your revolver very nicely indeed, and probably 90% or more of the people who see it will never know the (subtle) difference. IMHO, you did very well and can be very satisfied with the way your Model 29 is dressed. I hope you will enjoy it!

Froggie