I hope I've placed this in the proper time frame forum, if not mods can move it.

When were the smooth, rosewood targets with silver medallion manufactured ? I have a set and I think I may have the box that S&W shipped them in. I know the original owner stated he bought the grips seperately through a dealer who ordered them for him.

I'm curious also as to current value. They are in very good shape , no chips or gouges, probably 97/98% with minor handling marks.

Thanks for the response. They may show up in our classifieds depending upon value.

Joe in SC

For which frame, K or N ?

Also, are the washers holding the medallions silver or black? That will make a difference.

I think the first time Rosewood targets were available was during the 1950s. You may even find they were made in all 3 frame sizes, with the J the hardest to locate but still worth the least. I'm pretty sure they were still made in the 1960s. There are some 1970s vintage guns with pretty strong indications they came with rosewoods. It doesn't mean the grips were still in production, maybe just still in stock from earlier production.

Its hard to tell when they were produced. You don't get the visuals of diamonds. The only real indicator is the washer.

Some of us are challenged at telling Rosewood from Goncolo Alves and even the South American Fruit Wood. Because of the wide variations in all those woods, some look a lot like the other. We need wood DNA testing.

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Dick Burg

OK, a better description would be:
N frame, smooth rosewood, no checkering. Not relieved for reloading on left side. The washers are black, about the size of a dime. The grips have a palm swell (coke bottle) profile on both sides.

I asked about them several years ago here and was told they are hard to find and a little pricey, but I can't find the post now and don't recall what was said ,exactly about the value. I'm looking at another gun purchase and may be willing to let a more serious collector purchase them.

The rosewood stocks you have first became available around 1953 and were manufactured without the relieved area on the left stock panel at least through most of 1958. If the pair of stocks is in excellent shape or better they are valued around $450.

I would be interested, but would like to see detailed pictures.

Bill

I have actually seen rosewood diamond targets on a 1960 N frame that were original to the gun. The easiest way to ascertain if the grips are rosewood, goncolo alves or walnut is by the weight. Rosewood is much heavier.

Please add me to the list of interested parties.

Thanks for all the comments and information. I have never tried to post pictures. I will take some photos with my little inexpensive digital camera. If I can figure it out I will try and put up a few shots. No promises. Thanks again.

I've always thought these Combat Magnum grips were rosewood.

Yeah, I think it's a pretty safe bet that those are rosewood. The first thing I look for when someone says rosewood is the 'pores' that tend to run with the grain, and those definitely have that.

Mark

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