N Frame stocks don’t match

[jeffrefrig]

I have this N frame M57 and I have a question about the stocks. I’ve been meaning to ask the Forum about these stocks on my revolver. I got it from another Forum member who I have no reason to question what he’s told me, so I wonder if yinz have ever got any new stocks like this set. I hope this is a good section to ask about this minor issue. The pictures should make it easier to understand. Looking up at the butt end, the wood grain is way off from one to the other, the two sides are a different shade, and I wonder if that is how they used to number the two sides? The Serial number puts date of manufacture in 1973, so it isn’t that old, relatively speaking. The number is N145303. This is the only issue I can find on this specimen of blue and wood. And, could you please tell me what these stocks are called? I can never get that right. I’m pretty sure these are period correct from the pictures I’ve seen.

 

[murphydog]

These are standard Target stocks. They were not numbered to the gun, and the stock production shop would try to make the two sides match, with varying degrees of success.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I kind of thought that way about the stocks' matching. They fit & feel real nice when shooting the 6" gun though. Target stocks...thanks. I know I'm going to forget that if I don't write it down now.
Thanks much Mr. murphydog.

 

[Vtgw938]

Even much older stocks didn't always have matching grain at the butt. Those have the football relief cut and yes are target stocks. The black stock circle inserts without the diamond around the escutcheon were used later part of the 1960's to early 1970's.

 

[Dvus]

Looks normal to me. I've seen many where the two halves don't even come close to matching.

 

[mojave30cal]

Those target stocks were probably made on a Monday.

 

[schutz5]

Hows the rest of it look like?

So far not bad!

 

[jeffrefrig]

Hows the rest of it look like?

So far not bad!

I found this picture. Have more in here somewhere. Gun needs wiped down in this shot, box hasn’t been redone yet.

 

[Krogen]

I have a 27-2 with unmatching stocks. One side is "plain jane" with no figuring whatsoever. The other side has spectacular figure. The gun is like a movie star wanting to be photographed from the good side. It bugs me when I think about it, but then some folks would say I don't think a lot . . . .

 

[stang1911]

Have seen many stocks like that for sale that is.

 

[USBP SW]

What you have are standard target stocks made from goncalo alves wood. I have seen stocks that were so mismatched that they look like they were made from different species of wood. I dabbled in making a couple of sets of stocks, I cut them end to end to get the butt to match, the butt matched perfectly but the match ended there, the color was still good but the figure, while still nice, was very different. I must admit, I used some scrap walnut being stingy. To do it properly, I would have cut them side by side and matched them. The factory could not afford to do what would basically amount to custom stocks on a production firearm.

 

[Photog]

I have seen several sets. I had a set, still in the factory packaging, that was mostly dark with some light streaks on one panel, and the other panel was very light in color with no streaks.

 

[jeffrefrig]

The only other same style stocks I have are from a K frame M10-8. I didn’t like them so I bought rubbers that felt much better shooting with. I put them on this older M&P 38 so my grandson can hold the gun better than the Magnas. Anyhow they seem to match up better, so now I know it just may be a “ luck of the draw “ thing. I’ll try to show it in a couple lousy pictures.

 

[stansdds]

S&W did not make a habit of matching left and right wooden stocks. An assembler simply grabbed one left side from a box of left side stocks and the same for a right side stock and that's what got fitted to any particular frame.

 

[Green Frog]

There is a reason that sellers call your attention to a “book matched” set of stocks they are selling… many if not most are not. Be thankful if you find a nicely matched set, but don’t be too badly disappointed if yours aren’t.
Froggie