Grip Evolution?

Is there a broad source that covers the evolution of grips for Hand Ejector revolvers? Preferably with photos?

I am wondering about several points that seem to conflict. I purchased a lot of grips from the estate of a long retired gunsmith. Several sets of early wood grips were included. The man had a habit of tagging grips with the serial number of the firearm they were taken from.

My larger questions are about the earlier "shorter" grips. What years are correct for the several finish/pattern designs we see? When did S&W stop producing the shorter grips in favor of the current design?

Then we apply this to the grips in the photos. He tags them as K frame. He also includes a serial number 410391 written on the grip and the tag. Based on what appears to be the serial date range, it looks like the pistol would have been produced after the transition to the taller grips. In fact, the grip pattern is essentially identical to the 2nd version of the .44 Hand Ejector grips from the 1920's.

These grips are correctly sized and shaped to fit a K, but it would seem they were originally intended for a pistol manufactured before the use of the lettered frame scheme.

I will be offering these for sale and I want to be absolutely certain of my descriptions. Please look and edumacate me.

Those are standard service stocks, K frame, from the 1920s. The right panel is well worn down and someone added some additional grooves.

Is there a broad source that covers the evolution of grips for Hand Ejector revolvers? Preferably with photos?

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Yes. The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas. Available from Amazon.

JP@AK said:

Those are standard service stocks, K frame, from the 1920s. The right panel is well worn down and someone added some additional grooves.


Yes. The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas. Available from Amazon.

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This may seem like an odd question but in light of my interest primarily in older S&W models, should I be looking at the latest edition or can I get by with a cheap copy of an earlier edition?

Do the later additions have more info on the earlier models or are the updates limited to recent new models?

Asking for a cheapskate friend

This thread has been of great use to me. While it is specific to N frame grips, I think the information is pertinent to K's as well.
Yours appear to be the K frame checkered diamond service stocks, non-medallion, 1919-1930.

They are well worn, chipped, and it looks like someone started to re-check them at some point. Missing an escutcheon and no screw. Value will be minimal imo.

The 5th Edition is quite new (2024) and, in addition to information on new releases, it corrects and expands on information contained in the 4th Edition. If your "cheapskate friend" can find a deal on a used copy of the 4th Edition, he will be pretty well served. But Jim Supica surveys many of us older and experienced collectors while he is preparing a new edition. This results in corrections and additions to his information on older guns (by which I mean especially units produced prior to the advent of model numbers in c. 1958).

JP@AK said:

The 5th Edition is quite new (2024) and, in addition to information on new releases, it corrects and expands on information contained in the 4th Edition. If your "cheapskate friend" can find a deal on a used copy of the 4th Edition, he will be pretty well served. But Jim Supica surveys many of us older and experienced collectors while he is preparing a new edition. This results in corrections and additions to his information on older guns (by which I mean especially units produced prior to the advent of model numbers in c. 1958).

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I shall support the cause with a new purchase.

444 Magnum said:

This thread has been of great use to me. While it is specific to N frame grips, I think the information is pertinent to K's as well.
Yours appear to be the K frame checkered diamond service stocks, non-medallion, 1919-1930.

They are well worn, chipped, and it looks like someone started to re-check them at some point. Missing an escutcheon and no screw. Value will be minimal imo.

Thread 'Smith & Wesson N Frame Stocks / Grips - A Reference Guide'

Feb 4, 2018

I began accumulating wood stocks made of various wood types, grains, age, configuration, etc. I then decided I wanted an example of each kind of standard issue N-Frame stocks that would have been supplied on the 1st Model .44 Hand Ejector to the Performance Center revolvers of the 1990s. Although I’m still missing a few sets, I have put together an illustrated timeline of N-frame Stocks to hopefully assist in identifying the type/style, date, and material of factory stocks. While this thread is focused on N-frame stocks, most of the information and general time-frames are applicable to...

• Hoosier45
• Replies: 107
• Forum: S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961

• 

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Thank you. This batch also includes a grip set for the .44. Based on the serial number they are from a pistol manufactured in 1925, however, based on the link you supplied the grips are from an earlier year (up to 1911)

It is this type of inconsistencies that make collecting and selling so much more than "just a hobby".

Andylit said:

This batch also includes a grip set for the .44. Based on the serial number they are from a pistol manufactured in 1925, however, based on the link you supplied the grips are from an earlier year (up to 1911)

View attachment 765426

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Actually, no. Those are from the 1920s. The pre-1911 stocks without medallions have a concave or flat stock circle. Those in the picture above have a convex stock circle.

Here's a photo of the earlier style. These are on a .38 M&P Target model from 1908.

JP@AK said:

Actually, no. Those are from the 1920s. The pre-1911 stocks without medallions have a concave or flat stock circle. Those in the picture above have a convex stock circle.

Here's a photo of the earlier style. These are on a .38 M&P Target model from 1908.
View attachment 765428

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Not sure how I missed that. Getting old.

^^ Correct. Both sets you've posted are from the same era-just a large difference in condition and value.