will normal N grips work on a TL ? anybody know of any sources for a replacement TL grip ? will 1917 grips work

Yes, especially pre war like the 1917 service stocks. Post war targets work well because only the backstrap shows. But post war Magnas usually don't fit the butt well and may be slightly short.

TL service stocks can be found; no medallions for 1910 and earlier shipped TLs. Gold plated sunken medallions after 1910.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

If you supply the serial number, someone can help you with an estimate of the shipping date from the factory. You can then pick the correct stocks for this great old N frame. The best source I have found is ebay, and if you are patient, the correct stocks will show up. Also, check the big online gun auction sites.

I think the early examples did come with the non-medallion stocks, as Jim has stated.

Diamond Wood-flattened top-No Medallion 1908-1910
Diamond Wood-Large Gold Medallion 1911-1915

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Gold medallion stocks were supplied until 1920 on all N frames including 455s 1st and 2nd models, 44 2nd models, 1917 comls, and 44 TLs shipped well past 1915. And just for reference on all frames sizes also. But not on 1917 military models.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

They don't grow on trees. At least around here. I've seen some attempts at removing the bulged area on 1920s N frame grips. Some look much better than others and you end up with something approaching pre 1910 grips. I've also seen some reworks where someone takes a set of 1930s grips and pulls the medallions and then replaces them with K frame gold (because those are much more plentiful.) The problem being the originals have a bevel dropping down to the medallion. They look pretty good to the casual observer but to anyone who really knows, they are just attempts.

Another approach would be to contact Keith Brown and see if he'll mix up a set for you. He does great work, but he does have a backlog. You can advertise here for the originals. Don't expect that to go quick. Over time you may scare up a set. Then hope they fit to your satisfaction.

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Dick Burg

Hondo44 - The OP was asking about only about a 1st Model so I was just referring to the stocks in the time period that the Triplelocks were manufactured. It is my understanding that the 1st Model ended production in 1915, but understand that production of the gold large medallion stocks continued until 1920.

rburg - I probably should have added that they are quite pricey when you do find a set of either type. I probably see 25-30 sets a year at auction, but almost all go for more than I am willing to pay and those thay I can afford are heavily worn.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I'm gonna let that one get by this time, Dick.

Bob

Yes I knew your intention, but I should have added the other possibilities for him in the earlier post so thanks. The latest shipping .44 TL that I recall was c.1918-19.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

The fact that the 44 Triplelocks were on the factory shelves for 3 or 4 years after they were manufactured had always been interesting to me. I am sure Roy's manufacture dates are correct and I would think these would have been a popular model, but they did not sell out quickly. I wonder if they were too expensive for the average buyer, since I can't think of another reason why they would linger at the factory that long?

I have a 1923 price list and find that the 1905 M&P sold for $31 and the 44 Military sold for $35. In target versions, the 1905 sold for $35 and the 44 Military sold for $40. $5 was probably a good amount of money in the early 1900s. I would think that the company could have charged even more for the TL than the second model, so money could have been the issue.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Gary,

Some years ago I remember reading that the TL feature put the 44 1st model over the price of the Colt New Service, their main competitor. By redesigning w/o the 3rd lock and shroud, Smith saved about $2 in the retail price.

Then you hear stories about the English complaining about the same two features on their 1st two orders, the 44 HE 1st Models reworked into 455s and the 455 HE 1st Models because they were afraid of mud fowling the gun in battle conditions. So who knows for sure, but after 1915 the TLs went away.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I just checked the average annual household income in 1910 and it was $ 574. If the TL retail was about $37, that would have been over 6% of annual salary. Today, a 44 Magnum is $1300 retail and the average household income is now $51,000. Today, a Model 629 would be 2.5% of annual salary. So a TL would have been a very expensive purchase in 1910.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Were it me I'd check with our fellow forumite "DWFan".

Paul usually has a large stockpile of S&W wood. In fact, he was up here this past weekend for a shoot with me and my boys and he mentioned that he had half a dozen pairs of "cokes".

I bet he can hook you up.

Came with the pre war magnas you see. I always thought stag would look good. If i can use off the shelf N then I'm happy. Not keen on sending it off for a custom fitting

ElToro;

For that gun since it's not original anymore anyway, I don't think you can do much better than what you have. It looks good! You will find those Magnas much easier to shoot with also.

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Jim
S&WCA #819