Smooth Targets for a Combat Magnum (pre-19)?

[spin132]

I have an opportunity to purchase this handsome set of smooth targets for my Combat Magnum that shipped in April of 1956. I believe they are period correct and have been nicely refinished. It was suggested to me that the profile may have been altered somewhat. Looking for opinions since the asking price is high and I hardly ever see these older ones for sale. Thanks for looking.

Mike

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[murphydog]

To my recollection, uncheckered Target stocks were usually sold as factory aftermarket replacements. Also, the very early Combat Magnum stocks were walnut and these are very nice Goncalo Alves.

Lastly, you left out the photo of whether these have blued or stainless stock discs.

 

[K Frame Keith]

They are beautiful. Are they S&W factory stocks?

 

[spin132]

Lastly, you left out the photo of whether these have blued or stainless stock discs.

Thanks Murphydog! Sorry for the omission, they are black washers. Also, the escutcheons are flush with the stocks which predates 1969 I believe.

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[spin132]

They are beautiful. Are they S&W factory stocks?

Thanks Keith. Yes, I believe them to be factory.

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[K Frame Keith]

Well, you asked for opinions. Jump on them! Good luck!

 

[John Adams]

My Early Combat Magnum likewise came with Smooth targets. I have never seen a 4" Combat Magnum or Model 19 come from the factory without target grips. I have been buying them since 1974.

 

[larryofcc]

Anyone have a letter to substantiate these stocks. I have # 262336 shipped 7-20-1956, with checkered walnut target stocks. My letter goes on to state that the GA's were not available until 8-1958 and for the M19. They cost $10 more than the walnut stocks. Big Larry

 

[paplinker]

I am familiar with that profile on some early smooth K targets.

Mine are unrelieved though and are rosewood.

Seeing that on relieved grips not rosewood does give me some pause. It could be they were altered but if so a very good job.

On the back of the right grip where its lighter color is that filler or the natural look?

It does seem a bit out of the grain of the grip but it could be picture angle.

 

[weatherby]

My Early Combat Magnum likewise came with Smooth targets. I have never seen a 4" Combat Magnum or Model 19 come from the factory without target grips. I have been buying them since 1974.

Sir beautiful gun and stocks
If the gun is early it may not have actually came with that particular set though.

 

[colt_saa]

Refinished, wrong wood to be period correct for your gun, clearly visible gaps in the fit on the gun in the pictures and the Price is High

I would not be a buyer.

The two pieces of information that you have left out is why you are replacing your grips?

What kind of price do you call HIGH?

Those two issues might alter my opinion.

For me, I do not need my gun to be period correct as long as I like what I own

If the price is high I would simply have Cullina make me a set of presentation stocks from a wood that I like. I needed to do that with my Factory engraved Model 57 which left the Factory with checkered target stocks

These are French Cake Walnut

 

[weatherby]

Oh that muddy water
Football GA on the left
Unrelieved rosewood on the right.

 

[22hipower]

Nice stocks but I believe Combat Magnums of that vintage came with walnut diamond targets. We've had that discussion a time or two here, about smooth targets on early Combat Magnums, one of those was about a gun I own on which I thought smooth targets look great. And they do, they apparently just didn't come that way from the factory.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[moosedog]

Those are known as smooth "Coke bottle style" grips which were introduced in the mid 1950s and were found in a variety of different woods according to Suprica's book. They have the coke bottle shape and a distinct flair at the base. Very hard to locate and the refinish is done well. A slight gap at the very bottom, but again, the grips are about seventy years old. Expensive or high priced is a relative term which only you can determine. So bottom line, they could be period correct for your Combat Magnum. In the 1950's you could get special options on grips and sights.
I like them.

 

[spin132]

Nice stocks but I believe Combat Magnums of that vintage came with walnut diamond targets. We've had that discussion a time or two here, about smooth targets on early Combat Magnums, one of those was about a gun I own on which I thought smooth targets look great. And they do, they apparently just didn't come that way from the factory.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Jeff, you are spot on, mine letters as such. I just fell in love with these and was hoping they were at least period correct. Why? Not really sure.

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[paplinker]

I say get them if you really like them. I think they show great on a M 19. Also the flush es-cushions looks nicer than the regular ones.

Also I wouldn't be surprised if some engraved guns came with smooth grips.

 

[spin132]

Those are known as smooth "Coke bottle style" grips which were introduced in the mid 1950s and were found in a variety of different woods according to Suprica's book. They have the coke bottle shape and a distinct flair at the base.

I like them.

Leonard, I think you just sold me on them (gotta admit, I was looking for a reason)! For the record, the price is $280 all-in. I noticed the coke profile too. Thank you -

Mike, your neighbor from Livonia!

 

[spin132]

Oh that muddy water

Football GA on the left

Unrelieved rosewood on the right.

Weatherby, they are both beautiful (and hard to distinguish). I have a similar set that I always assumed to be rosewood due to the fact they are so porous.

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[spin132]

Seeing that on relieved grips not rosewood does give me some pause. It could be they were altered but if so a very good job.



On the back of the right grip where its lighter color is that filler or the natural look?



It does seem a bit out of the grain of the grip but it could be picture angle.

Paplinker, I thought that might be a repair as well. The seller (an acquaintance) was kind enough to send, without payment, for me to inspect. I cannot find evidence of a repair.

Thanks, Mike
,

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[Retired W4]

Regardless of whether they came on the gun originally, I see the oval shaped bottom with the distinctive flair at the rear. The only indicator of K cokes lacking is the checking pattern going below the butt (no checking). As for other details such as the type of wood, the escutcheons, etc. I might dismiss some of those considering how few unchecked K cokes were made, if any. If they were modified from some set from another era it was a pretty good job As a novice observer I can only say...I like them.