1965 MODEL 29-2 with cokes

[gkitch]

I just got back from the LGS where I found a Model 29-2, 6.5" bbl, with some wear. The grips are diamond cokes without a cut-out or football. I took them off and looked for a serial number on the inside but found nothing. I checked the revolver's S-serial number and the gun was from 1965.

Could these grips be original to this particular 29-2? They also have some wear, with a chunk missing from the left panel, up near the trigger guard. The wear matches the gun, implying that they have been together a pretty good while. I am suspecting the grips are from much earlier though, as I think the football cutout was added in the 50s. Still, there should be a serial number in there, right? Did Smith sell these as aftermaket options without the serial number? Still, the gun would have already had targets, so why change?

I'm cleaning the lead out of the bore right now. Once it is back together, will try to post some pics. I think I got a pretty good deal.

Does anybody know of a good grip restoration guy? It would be nice to clean these up.

 

[arjay]

I think,but I may be wrong,that cokes all have the football cutout.Those sound like nonrelieved diamond targets from the early fifties

 

[Doc44]

gkitch...If the stocks look like those in the first photo, they pre-date your 29-2 by at least nine or ten years. The correct stocks are shown in the second photo. Target stocks were not numbered to the revolver.

Bill

 

[Sprefix]

DWFAN for the grip resto!!! VM does grips also and is a first-rate guy...............I have grips from both.

 

[VM]

Does anybody know of a good grip restoration guy? It would be nice to clean these up.

DWFAN is the man for the job!

 

[gkitch]

gkitch...If the stocks look like those in the first photo, they pre-date your 29-2 by at least nine or ten years. The correct stocks are shown in the second photo. Target stocks were not numbered to the revolver.

Bill

Bill,
Yes, they are like the first photo. I wonder how they ended up on this 29-2....

 

[VM]

Bill,
Yes, they are like the first photo. I wonder how they ended up on this 29-2....

I'm not Bill, but the answer is easy.
Many Gun owners over the years have done the "grip rodeo" and changed wood on their revolvers many times for their personal taste.
Even though your grips are not Cokes, they are quite valuable.

 

[gkitch]

Well, now that I know the grips are not original to the gun, I think what I would prefer to do is find some 1965 appropriate grips and try to either swap or sell the Diamond Targets to fund the aquisition.

I am trying to be home when it is still daylight so I can get some decent pics.

 

[Art Doc]

When you pay $500 for a set of correct stocks you will understand what happened to the ones that were originally on the gun. Many sellers realize they can get more by selling the gun and stocks separately. Try to find a Python with the correct stocks. Same situation with the Colts.

 

[gkitch]

When you pay $500 for a set of correct stocks you will understand what happened to the ones that were originally on the gun. Many sellers realize they can get more by selling the gun and stocks separately. Try to find a Python with the correct stocks. Same situation with the Colts.

Wow. Perhaps I'll just have these older stock resored and go with that.

 

[LEO918]

Your stocks are worth restoring, even if you don't use them on this gun. A correct gun for the grips is in your future.

 

[Mickey D]

When you pay $500 for a set of correct stocks you will understand what happened to the ones that were originally on the gun. Many sellers realize they can get more by selling the gun and stocks separately. Try to find a Python with the correct stocks. Same situation with the Colts.

Unfortunately this happens with vintage pocket watches too. Guys part out movements, dials and cases to get more money. They don't realize or care they are destroying history or colletor value.

 

[gkitch]

Here it is

Will follow up with the grips..

 

[Sprefix]

Very Nice!!!!

 

[M29since14]

That's an odd looking set of stocks. They look like Cokes that somehow missed the football cut.

 

[VM]

Will follow up with the grips..

HOLD THE PRESSES!!

gkitch - you may have a set of rare grips there. Those have the larger checkered area like Cokes and are non-relieved.
I'm almost postitive Doc44 has a pair and hoping he comments on these.
Please take some better pictures of your grips, inside and out and repost.
You may have something more valuable than Cokes. I hope I am right.

*Disclaimer* - I do have a pretty bad vision problem right now

 

[gkitch]

Ok, more grips!

WHat are these?

 

[M29since14]

They are probably the original stocks that came with that gun. I believe I would get them restored. They look like it could be done.

 

[gkitch]

here are some more

What exactly are these grips?

 

[Sebago Son]

Ummmm..... Rosewood. Looks like Bahia to me, not the more common Cocobolo....

Nice Stocks, but I doubt that a .44 Magnum would have shipped from the factory with stocks that did not have the cartridge relief. The empties are just too long.