Another Presentation Case Variation?

JeffD607 · Apr 6, 2025

Did Smith & Wesson ever manufacture their presentation cases in different wood species? This case has a much different grain, is darker than others, and is DEFINITELY heavier than my others. It came with a Model 57, that the general concensus on this forum is, that it has rosewood grips on it. Did they make any cases out of rosewood?

cmansguns · Apr 6, 2025

Probably not...if factory

According to our "Bible" SCSW 5th Edition, it notes that N Frame factory wooden case from 1960 to 1981 were made of "light colored Mahogany". No mention of any other type wood.

What does the interior of your case look like? SCSW 5th also notes that 1960-1969 cases had Styrofoam inserts with gun pointing to the right; 1969-1974 had Styrofoam inserts but have been found with guns pointing left, or right; 1974-1978 plastic inserts gun faces right; 1978-1981 plastic inserts gun faces right.

My own experience is somewhat like yours, but I've only had a few N Frames that had the wooden cases and of those one was refurbished with maroon liner to replace deteriorated flocking over plastic inserts. That is the one pictured for Model 27-2. It clearly had a darker grain than others but I don't know if it had been refinished. The one marked 29-2L is completely original and went with a 1980 Model 29-2. It too is darker than my other Model 29-2 completely original case (1979) which is the "light colored mahogany".

My only other wooden case is for a Model 14-3 with an 8-3/8" barrel. This gun was an estate find and came with a wooden presentation case, very nicely crafted, but made of Ash and heavier than all get out! I've never heard of factory wooden cases for K Frames so I'm pretty sure this one was custom made by someone in the aftermarket trade.

What does your wooden case actually weigh? I could get out our precision scale and weigh my light colored one if it would help. I would suggest you weigh it without the gun or accessories, but with the inserts.

I'm no expert on any of this stuff, so maybe others will come along that have real knowledge or experience with the factory wooden cases.

Retired W4 · Apr 6, 2025

JeffD607 said:
Did Smith & Wesson ever manufacture their presentation cases in different wood species? This case has a much different grain, is darker than others, and is DEFINITELY heavier than my others. It came with a Model 57, that the general concensus on this forum is, that it has rosewood grips on it. Did they make any cases out of rosewood?

That does not look like the usual mahogany that S&W used. The very open pores suggests rosewood. A DNA test might solve the mystery.

Looks similar to there targets that came on my new 14-3.

RT44nut · Apr 7, 2025

The only wood type I’ve seen in old advertisements for the S&W cases was mahogany. I’ve seen variations in the wood in cases but mahogany lumber used for cases came from the Honduras, Brazil, and Mexico. Another reference said some from Africa and Asia. I would expect variation in color, density and weight from the different locations just as there is with Walnut lumber from the northern U.S. vs. the southern U.S. I have some that are very light and plain and others that are dark with beautiful grain. All that said, NEVER SAY NEVER with S&W.

Hawg Rider · Apr 7, 2025

It's also a possibility that someone refinished the outside of the case and used some wood stain to darken it and bring out the grain. I've done that with a couple of presentation cases that were pretty beat up, like this 1973 Texas Ranger Commemorative case. After sanding and repairing I changed the stain color to what I thought was a more appropriate Texas post oak.

JeffD607 · Apr 7, 2025

I thought about it being stained darker, but it is clearly heavier than all the others that I have. That, to me, indicates a different wood species. It sure looks like rosewood to me.

Doc44 · Apr 7, 2025

The mahogany presentation cases were made in S&W's carpentry shop. It is certainly possible a wood other than mahogany may have been used infrequently as a trial or just because that is what the shop had in stock.

Bill

Retired W4 · Apr 7, 2025

Doc44 said:
The mahogany presentation cases were made in S&W's carpentry shop. It is certainly possible a wood other than mahogany may have been used infrequently as a trial or just because that is what the shop had in stock.

Bill

They farmed out the Type 6 case. I had this one in the original shipping box. Of course it was much later. The carton was marked Mahog.

Doc44 · Apr 8, 2025

I was referring to cases made in the 60s, 70s, and early 80s when the case being discussed was made. I realize S&W changed a lot of things over the years regarding manufacturing of accessories. The presentation case was discontinued as an accessory in 1985 so when S&W introduced the 29-10 in 2006 they contracted out the manufacturing of cases.

Bill

SS336 · Apr 8, 2025

Ok, this is confusing to me.
Here is a 79-80, M25-5 and its original case. Revolver faces left, could be used for a 6’ or 6 1/2” barreled gun. Case is mahogany, interior disintegrated and was repaired by Joe.
Doesn’t seem to fit what the book says or am I reading it wrong? Is it just another S&W anomaly?

Doc44 · Apr 8, 2025

The inserts in presentation cases used from 1975-78/79 often cracked in spots, but usually did not disintegrate. If your 25-5 shipped in 1979, it could have been in a case like the one you posted. Does the SCSW state the revolver should point to the right?

Bill

SS336 · Apr 8, 2025

Thanks for the clarification Bill.

cmansguns in post #2 said
“What does the interior of your case look like? SCSW 5th also notes that 1960-1969 cases had Styrofoam inserts with gun pointing to the right; 1969-1974 had Styrofoam inserts but have been found with guns pointing left, or right; 1974-1978 plastic inserts gun faces right; 1978-1981 plastic inserts gun faces right.”

That’s where I got it, I am probably confused…….again.

Doc44 · Apr 9, 2025

All presentation cases from 1956-1978 have the revolver pointing to the left. Presentation cases from 1979-1985 have the revolver pointing to the right. The presentation case was discontinued for the 44 Magnum in 1985. When the Model 29-10 was introduced in 2006, the accessory presentation case has the revolver pointing to the right.

Bill

handejector · Apr 10, 2025

JeffD607 said:
Did Smith & Wesson ever manufacture their presentation cases in different wood species? This case has a much different grain, is darker than others, and is DEFINITELY heavier than my others. It came with a Model 57, that the general concensus on this forum is, that it has rosewood grips on it. Did they make any cases out of rosewood?

I have never seen a rosewood case.
Your case is the normal mahogany. It has been refinished.

Another Presentation Case Variation?

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