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Unrelieved K Targets
- Thread starter ezb57
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I have a Combat Masterpiece pre-Model 18 which has a set of non-relieved target grips. It lettered to have shipped 9/1954 with "checkered walnut grips". The TT, TH, and red ramp were added later. Maybe the targets were also added later, but that's the way I got it. Of all my guns, this may be my favorite - at least I shoot it more than any of them.
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Engine49guy
Member
Iirc the way it kinda went was ,
1950(ish) the first style non relieved K targets appear with
The " built in adapter", which was a black plastic spacer.
A short time later the spacer was eliminated ( don't know exactly when but first year maybe?)
1956 The 4" Combat Magnum begins shipping,
It's interesting to note that while the early advertisements depict it wearing non relieved target stocks IMO none likely shipped with them.
Don't forget the 357 is longer than the .38 casing and those can dent the non relieved stocks, doubt that the football cut and introduction of the Combat Magnum aren't related to eachother.
As we all have heard SW didnt waste good parts and the story is that the non relieved K targets were continued to be used on non Magnum frames as an option until the supply ran out, didn't make sense to have two different styles and the football relief cut remained until the speed loader cut replaced it sometime around 79-80 (ish).
1950(ish) the first style non relieved K targets appear with
The " built in adapter", which was a black plastic spacer.
A short time later the spacer was eliminated ( don't know exactly when but first year maybe?)
1956 The 4" Combat Magnum begins shipping,
It's interesting to note that while the early advertisements depict it wearing non relieved target stocks IMO none likely shipped with them.
Don't forget the 357 is longer than the .38 casing and those can dent the non relieved stocks, doubt that the football cut and introduction of the Combat Magnum aren't related to eachother.
As we all have heard SW didnt waste good parts and the story is that the non relieved K targets were continued to be used on non Magnum frames as an option until the supply ran out, didn't make sense to have two different styles and the football relief cut remained until the speed loader cut replaced it sometime around 79-80 (ish).
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Very nice set of non-relieved K targets. Those are my favorite K frame stock, might have bought a gun or two just to get the stocks. I don't know what they shipped on from the factory in the early 1950s. They're found with a variety of checkering patterns. They should have shipped on the early Masterpiece models. . . . .but probably didn't.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2nEY3Ze https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
https://flic.kr/p/2qmDhzT https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2nEY3Ze https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
https://flic.kr/p/2qmDhzT https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
Last edited:
Very nice set of non-relieved K targets. Those are my favorite K frame stock, might have bought a gun or two just to get the stocks. I don't know what they shipped on from the factory in the early 1950s. They're found with a variety of checkering patterns. They should have shipped on the early Masterpiece models. . . . .but probably didn't.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
What a great collection of non relieved targets. I really like set 2 and 4 as they seem to have a long snout that hugs the trigger guard futher than most. I wonder if they might be a bit older than the rest and that feature gradually went away when they became more mass produced and they were trying to save time.
Do you have a opinion on that?
I have a N frame set but it barely hugs the trigger guard
Yes, you should get a K target gun from the early 1950's for those stocks. A while back I bought a box of stocks so I could have these smooth NRT's that were in there. I recovered my investment by selling off most of the wood in the box and this is the result. My July, 1950 K22 Masterpiece might be a little early for these, but that's OK by me.
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K-frame stocks from 1954-1955.
Bill
Bill
You weren't asking me Rich but I think the earlier ones had more of a hook too that's what I call it.
Very nice set of non-relieved K targets. Those are my favorite K frame stock, might have bought a gun or two just to get the stocks. I don't know what they shipped on from the factory in the early 1950s. They're found with a variety of checkering patterns. They should have shipped on the early Masterpiece models. . . . .but probably didn't.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff, they do have a very distinct variety of checkering patterns! Thanks for showing the differences.
What a great collection of non relieved targets. I really like set 2 and 4 as they seem to have a long snout that hugs the trigger guard further than most. I wonder if they might be a bit older than the rest and that feature gradually went away when they became more mass produced and they were trying to save time.
Do you have a opinion on that?
I have a N frame set but it barely hugs the trigger guard
papalinker, I agree with you about sets 2 and 4, and wonder the same about the age of them.
Larry
I really have no idea about the difference in styles relative to age. I thought at one time the variance in the checkering areas was a conscious style change but others suggested it was less planned than that and more likely simply the workman setting the stock making machine up differently from run to run. What we see in differences in shape may simply be attributable to random changes in the machine set up. I just buy them when I find them.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
silicosys4
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Do 2 and 4 have a different contour than a normal set of K frame targets? Thinner and more like a set of N frame cokes?
The main difference is the apparent size of the checkering area although others here have thought that is more an optical illusion than reality. I thought for a while that they (2 and 4) were an effort to produce K frame "mini cokes" but have long since been dissuaded of that by more knowledgeable folks.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Keith Brown
Vendor
Jeff, if your attending the symposium this year I sure would enjoy handling and measuring your five sets of non relieved stocks.
Keith,
I'll be there. I may have more than five sets but they're scattered and mostly on guns now but perhaps I can find them by June.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
