This has been a project that's gone on 25+ years. I used to have a neighbor that was a custom stock maker and I always lusted to own one of his custom rifles but could never afford it.( He's long passed) Back in the early 1980's one of his custom stocks sold in the 3K range. One day while I was over visiting, he offered to make some grips for my S&W model 10 if I would fix his truck. I'm an auto mechanic and I quickly agreed. The only hand gun I owned at the time was a worn model 10 that was probably a police trade in when I bought it. When he finished the grips they didn't look that good because of the condition of the gun. About 6 months ago I sent it back to S&W and had it completely reconditioned. Finally, I can put my beautiful grips on my beautiful gun. Project complete!

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	010-1.jpg (91.2 KB, 394 views)
	009.jpg (144.5 KB, 398 views)

wow....beautiful grips!!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

WOW !!!--Oh my that's beautiful----sorry he's gone--gorgeous grips. Thanks for sharing. Going to shoot it or just admire it ? Best of luck with your "Finished" project.

Steve

Beautiful grips, look great on your model 10.

That guy looks like he did awesome work..... Your gun is A +++

I'll shot it.I can't beleive the great job S&W did.The gun locks up tight and looks better than new.All for $200 +shiping

Custom stocks any K frame would be proud to wear.
What repairs did he need on his truck? I was an auto mechanic for
many years myself.
Well done ,Patrick. Beautiful piece.
I love a happy ending. Except that he has passed ,of course.

Regards , Allen

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Those pics just rocked me back in my chair. The gun looks brand new and the stocks are spectacular. That is one great package.

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David Wilson

Beautiful!!!

Damn you have a lot of patience! 25 years!?!?!!!!!

It looks to good to shoot, he done a very nice job on the stocks and Smith done a good refinish job.

Those stocks are a work of art, no question there. The big question in my mind is this: during the last 25 years did it not cross your mind to try to find an equally fine example of a handgun to put those stocks on?
I'm not trying to bust your chops, but man, I would have searched high and low to find a worthy match to those stocks.
Whatever the case, congrats, those look nice indeed.
RD

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Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U

Those stocks are stunning, and the TT & TH on the model 10 really look good too. I could not have waited 25 years though.

Great story, but sad about your craftsmen neighbor. That Model 10 looks great! Did you have S&W put the Target Hammer & Trigger on too? They look go great with the grips and new blue.

Those are very nice grips. Nice Model 10. Nice to see your project completed.

Regards,

Chuck

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Tennessee Hillbilly

Allen-Frame,I had to buy and replace the carberater on his old Dodge pick-up.I think it cost me in the $200 range.

Smith hound, I always thought the grips and the model 10 kinda belong to each other.Buying a like new old Smith here in California is not that easy.One time I bought a like new model 19 2 1/2 inch barrel just to get home with it and realize my grips was for a square butt and the model 19 was a round butt. Still have the model 19,glad I bought it.

Craftsmanship at it's finest! Beautiful stocks, beautiful gun, and a great story! Thanks for sharing!

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Misty

One-of-a-kind gun and story! Thanks much for the post,

Jerry

Those grips look as nice as any I've seen in over 30 years of gun collecting. You've got a real treasure there.....

Patrick James,
You have one of the absolutely nicest looking Smith and Wesson revolvers that I've ever laid eyes on! I hope it shoots every bit as well as it looks and it probably does really lay 'em into the X-ring.
A revolver as nice as yours needs a first class rig to carry her in. Do you have any ideas?
One last request: Let us know the name of your late stockmaker. Some here may recognize his name or even own a fine rifle stocked by him and would like to make the connection. Thanks!

What a terrific story! Gorgeous set up you've got there with those handsome handles!

My feelings exactly! A++

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Nicest custom wood stocks I've seen in along time. Good Luck with her.

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De Oppresso Liber Μολὼν λαβέ

Wow... those grips would easily hold their own setting next to a set of Keith Brown grips, which IMHO sets the standard for custom made grips.

Those are superb.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

I'd be happy to. That's a fine looking gun.
DW

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"NUTS"

The stock maker name was Kurt Haase and I had the pleasure of knowing him the last 20 years of his life.He was born in Germany about 1915 and he was a artist and he painted signs for a living until about 1938-39 in Germany.He hated Hitler so came to the USA.When we went to war with Germany the goverment put him in a special camp about 50 miles east of Redding Calif.(Mc Arthur Ca.)until the war was over. The Japanese went a area about 100 miles north east of Redding (Tule Lake Ca.) He was a American all the way. After the war was over he moved to Lafayette California and started a gun shop where he made custom gun stocks for people all over the world.He was freinds with all the big names of the 1950's and 1960's.Alvin Biesen,Duane Wiebe to name a few.He moved up near the Redding Ca. area and open a shop.He also had his own mill that he made english walnut trees into stock blanks.I met him when I was about 25 and hung around as much as he would let me. I'm 54 now so thats been a while ago.