S&W .32 Single Action Centerfire With Mottled Grips

merl67 · May 26, 2021

Picked this one up today. The grips appeared black in the photos that were used on our local gun sale site. I really wasn't sure about condition as the lady I got it from was going through her dads things after his passing, and knew nothing about guns. I paid a bit more than I normally would, but sometimes it's the right thing to do. It functions pretty good. The grips are mottled red, but not as much contrast as I have seen before. Serial number is 49,826.

gmborkovic · May 26, 2021

just a thought. Would those grips be numbered to that gun?
Not asking to take them off and prove it. They look alittle crusty.
So play it safe.

merl67 · May 26, 2021

gmborkovic said:
just a thought. Would those grips be numbered to that gun?
Not asking to take them off and prove it. They look alittle crusty.
So play it safe.

I did take them off carefully no number that I could see they do fit perfectly though. I believe the gun was originally Nickle as there are traces of what appears to be nickle under the grips.

merl67 · May 26, 2021

A better picture of the grips kinda debating whether they are mottled grips compared to my other model .32 Center Fire they don't look just black....

mmaher94087 · May 26, 2021

I have a dark mottled set like yours. They do not have much contrast between the red and black. The .32CF Single Action is a favorite.

opoefc · May 26, 2021

merl67, Your .32Cf, ser. # 49,826, was made June 27, 1880, and the manufacturing log lists it's grips as "mottled" which was the factory term for the red & black grips at that time period. Ser. #s 49,750 thru 50,050 were all mottled grip guns, so your gun's grips appear to be original to the gun. I believe this model was the first model to have the log reflect the mottled grips as installed on them and the red/black coloring is much darker than later models, such as the .38 DAs, so the formula for the coloring process in making the mottled grips must have had a later upgrade. As we also know, there are S&W grips in various "mottled" colors besides red/black, such as blue, green, & yellow. The examples I've owned were on the DA revolvers, however I don't have enough logs for those models to identify if they reflect which "mottled" color was installed and it's possible those various other colors were after market items. Ed

Boulder350 · May 26, 2021

Opoefc,
Can you tell what color grips were on serial 43,386 from the factory logs? This one too is a single action 32 like the original posters gun and has mottled grips.
Thanks,

ammodave · May 27, 2021

Is there any source for reproduction mottled grips?

Frieda's Boss · May 27, 2021

Congrats on the nice pickup! Bet it would be alot of fun at the range. You plan to shoot it?

Since you obviously took them off, I'm curious about if there is a trick to removing the grips? I have a .38 single action, 2nd model from 1889. I have tried to remove the grips, but the screw only turns, and does not back out. Not trying to hijack your thread, but anyone have any thoughts?

merl67 · May 27, 2021

Frieda's Boss said:
Congrats on the nice pickup! Bet it would be alot of fun at the range. You plan to shoot it?

Since you obviously took them off, I'm curious about if there is a trick to removing the grips? I have a .38 single action, 2nd model from 1889. I have tried to remove the grips, but the screw only turns, and does not back out. Not trying to hijack your thread, but anyone have any thoughts?

The threaded insert in the opposite grip is probably loose, spinning in the grip. I have carefully put a bit of superglue around this insert to bond it back to the grip be very careful not to get any on or into the threads. Wipe off any excess immediately as it will turn white on the grips. Give the glue time to set up and give it a try..... if you do get the screw to turn out do not pry grips they will break. Back the screw out until it's almost free of the threads the head should be above the grip tap the screw head with the handle of the screw driver pushing the opposite grip off the frame. Once you have that grip off push the other one off from the inside...I have shot it see the drum photo

merl67 · May 27, 2021

opoefc said:
merl67, Your .32Cf, ser. # 49,826, was made June 27, 1880, and the manufacturing log lists it's grips as "mottled" which was the factory term for the red & black grips at that time period. Ser. #s 49,750 thru 50,050 were all mottled grip guns, so your gun's grips appear to be original to the gun. I believe this model was the first model to have the log reflect the mottled grips as installed on them and the red/black coloring is much darker than later models, such as the .38 DAs, so the formula for the coloring process in making the mottled grips must have had a later upgrade. As we also know, there are S&W grips in various "mottled" colors besides red/black, such as blue, green, & yellow. The examples I've owned were on the DA revolvers, however I don't have enough logs for those models to identify if they reflect which "mottled" color was installed and it's possible those various other colors were after market items. Ed

Thank you sir !

H Richard · May 27, 2021

This pair are on a .32 Single Action (CF) 1 1/2, s/n 88373. They presently now belong to someone else, hopefully a forum member.

glowe · May 27, 2021

Try a large red pencil top eraser and have someone else with you. Apply pressure on the escutcheon with the eraser and have someone else turn the srcew. If you get it out, glue it back in before you put the stocks back on. I have had good success with quick bond epoxy.

Frieda's Boss · May 28, 2021

merl67 said:
The threaded insert in the opposite grip is probably loose, spinning in the grip. I have carefully put a bit of superglue around this insert to bond it back to the grip be very careful not to get any on or into the threads. Wipe off any excess immediately as it will turn white on the grips. Give the glue time to set up and give it a try..... if you do get the screw to turn out do not pry grips they will break. Back the screw out until it's almost free of the threads the head should be above the grip tap the screw head with the handle of the screw driver pushing the opposite grip off the frame. Once you have that grip off push the other one off from the inside...I have shot it see the drum photo

glowe said:
Try a large red pencil top eraser and have someone else with you. Apply pressure on the escutcheon with the eraser and have someone else turn the srcew. If you get it out, glue it back in before you put the stocks back on. I have had good success with quick bond epoxy.

Appreciate the info! I will try the eraser first, and the glue if that doesn't work. Trying to decide whether to take this thing apart and clean it up, or keep it as is. Will start a thread on it at some point, in the mean time I posted some pictures here if anyone is interested-

http://smith-wessonforum.com/141153581-post24.html

BMur · May 28, 2021

Mottled Grips?

Yeah,
I just don't get it....I mean, I really like the "RED" grips against a bright nickel finish? It looks really good to me.

Also, the "Bright Red" against original bluing also looks good to me....but... if you look at my Revolving Rifle? I mean, what were they thinking with the "Bright Red forearm" (That I really like) against the dull brown "Tiger stripped" looking grips? I honestly give the grips a thumbs down on this gun. They are not faded so they must have been sold like this...They are not worn either....I just don't get it....

I also have a 32 cf single action with near mint nickel and the "Bright Red" grips....I love it.... With no harm intended to the OP? I don't like the "Hint of RED".....I like them Bright and bold... with just a hint of black/brown stripes. Plus, in the Revolving Rifle case, they honestly don't match the fore-stock...I don't like the two tone....

It's not just me also....I watch market value on these and they sell for "A TON" more when they are Bright Red!! I don't think a factory letter would help much towards value.

Murph

merl67 · May 28, 2021

Murph
I agree the bright red mottled grips look better than ones that are on my .32. I really didn't notice the red until viewed outside. I wonder when the factory stopped making the mottled grips? I have never seen a handejector model with them so I am guessing pre 1900...

BMur · May 28, 2021

Pre-1900?

I have no clue Randy.
I have read many listings and collectors claiming they were Pre-1900. However, I’ve seen them on large frame double actions and late Model of 91 Single actions. Not to mention the late safety hammer 38’s. So I tend to believe that they survived post 1900 but not sure how far. I wonder if they were available on the perfected 38 DA? Or even early M&P’s?

Murph

BMur · May 29, 2021

Late serial number

Here is another one from RIA sold in 2017 with a serial number over 500,000. So close to 1910. I think that’s enough to prove post 1900 availability. It needs more red though!

Murph

opoefc · May 29, 2021

BMur, I suspect that 1910 DA's mottled stocks are not original to the gun, the reason beng I have checked the stocking room's production logs for the .32HEs made from 1903 to 1915 and no guns of that model show as being originally stocked with mottled stocks, just wood & hard rubber. The .32SAs, like the posters, show mottled, wood, pearl, ivory & rubber as being used for that model. Ed

BMur · May 29, 2021

Original Grips?

Thanks Ed,
I zoomed in on the auction listing and you can see the grips are not a perfect fit.
BTW.. Since you have records can you answer Randy’s question regarding the Pre-1900 production only for the Mottled grips?
I know I’ve seen them on late guns but don’t have records to prove they were original to those guns.

Thanks,
Murph

S&W .32 Single Action Centerfire With Mottled Grips

SWCA Member

Attachments

Member

SWCA Member

SWCA Member

Attachments

SWCA Member

US Veteran

SWCA Member

Member

Member

SWCA Member

Attachments

SWCA Member

US Veteran

US Veteran

Member

Member

Attachments

SWCA Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Attachments

US Veteran

Member

Attachments

Similar threads