Model 15-1 Serial # On Grip Panel?

SparkyAZ

SparkyAZ

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Purchased this clean 15-1 a while back and just recently removed the grip panels. Serial number dates it to 1962.
Wondering why there are (2) different serial numbers on the right panel? One is correct to the revolver and the other is not...
What are the chances these grips are original to the pistol? Your opinions are appreciated!
 

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Sometimes people write the serial number of the gun on the stocks to make one think they were original to the gun. It would sort of be begging others to question it's authenticity to do that to a set of stocks that already had a serial number wrote on them. Since we are talking about stamping and not hand writing its really hard telling. The size and font do look the same so maybe it was a recycled set of stamped stocks that got put on your gun at the factory.
 
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The factory never wasted perfectly good parts, so these stocks were first fitted to the earlier numbered gun (probably) and left with your later numbered gun. The first one may have been ordered with Target stocks, may have been scrapped before sale, etc.
 
Then I agree with Murphydog. They (S&W) just restamped it. The straight line stamping of the s/n near the bottom of the right panel started in the mid 60's. In the mid to late 70's S&W stopped numbering the stocks to the gun.
 
murphydog said:
The factory never wasted perfectly good parts, so these stocks were first fitted to the earlier numbered gun (probably) and left with your later numbered gun. The first one may have been ordered with Target stocks, may have been scrapped before sale, etc.
Click to expand...

I'm with murphydog. The stocks were originally destined for the earlier numbered gun, then something changed and they left the factory on your gun. The "something" on the earlier gun is the big currently unknown in the equation. The simplest would have been a stock change to fill a special order that came in at or about the time the earlier gun was being finished. It's just one more S&W mystery. hardcase60
 
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