Chrome or nickel hand ejector with pearl handles
- Thread starter Macten
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Welcome to the forum.
You have a very popular ".32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 - 1st Change" from 1906.
Nickel is the plating used by the factory and if the finish is original, that's what it is. If the pearl grips have a S&W medallion, they are also factory original and very desirable in good condition. Can't say much more w/o a good photo.
Shoot and enjoy,
You have a very popular ".32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 - 1st Change" from 1906.
Nickel is the plating used by the factory and if the finish is original, that's what it is. If the pearl grips have a S&W medallion, they are also factory original and very desirable in good condition. Can't say much more w/o a good photo.
Shoot and enjoy,
opoefc
US Veteran
Welcome to the Forum. .32 hand Ejector, Model 1903, 1st change,#48481 was made July 26, 1906, as part of a 100 gun nickel plated production order. All with black hard rubber stocks, so the pearl stocks are an after market addition. Ed.
The aftermarket grips will be found offensive only by the lunatic fringe among us----just as will our use of term "grips", instead of "stocks". That said, pretty much all of us are already in the lunatic fringe----just with different specialties---it takes all kinds.
Bottom Line: Don't worry about the grips. There may be those who might very well buy the gun just to get them.
Ralph Tremaine
Bottom Line: Don't worry about the grips. There may be those who might very well buy the gun just to get them.
Ralph Tremaine
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Hello Ralph, Im in the lunatic ward next to you. I thought we were keeping this a secret! OH, time for my meds. Mike
Targets Guy
US Veteran
Welcome to the forum.
Ralph that is not a appropriate definition, those people are referred to as serious collectors not.....lunatics....
Sometimes collunatics.
Hope no one comes up with a cure I am sure my wife will invest.
jhnttrpp
Member
Ralph that is not a appropriate definition, those people are referred to as serious collectors not.....lunatics....
How can you tell the difference?
My collection rules are simple. If any pearl handled revolver turns out to be an after-market alteration, I buy a set of black hard rubber stocks. I now have lots of pearl stocks in a plastic bag in the back of the safe, but all my guns are as they left the factory. That rule is important to me in all my firearms collecting ventures. Besides most pearl stocks are thin and slippery, not what you want at the shooting range.
Many nickel guns show up with pearls, apparently original owners thought they looked better than hard rubber, so bought a set over time. A couple years ago I ran the question by SWCA Forum members, showing Model 1896 revolvers with both after-market pearls and hard rubber stocks. Results were 3 to 1 in favor of black hard rubber. I guess there are a lot of lunatics on this Forum.
Many nickel guns show up with pearls, apparently original owners thought they looked better than hard rubber, so bought a set over time. A couple years ago I ran the question by SWCA Forum members, showing Model 1896 revolvers with both after-market pearls and hard rubber stocks. Results were 3 to 1 in favor of black hard rubber. I guess there are a lot of lunatics on this Forum.
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Where I was born and raised, there is a definite assumption made about guys who carry a gun with pearl stocks ... multiply by 2 if the gun is nickel with pearl stocks.
I don't hold with that view entirely but just never liked pearl stocks unless on a classy older S&W with the S&W medallion inset. Yes, I know that S&W also made pearl stocks in earlier years that did not have the S&W medallion. These without the S&W medallion I don't care for at all.
All it takes it one slight tap (not to mention a drop) and the pearls stocks are now junk.
To me, the pearls cannot compare to ivory even though in old S&W catalogs the pearl stocks were slightly more expensive than the ivory. Between the two, my personal preference is ivory if not factory or Ropers.
I don't hold with that view entirely but just never liked pearl stocks unless on a classy older S&W with the S&W medallion inset. Yes, I know that S&W also made pearl stocks in earlier years that did not have the S&W medallion. These without the S&W medallion I don't care for at all.
All it takes it one slight tap (not to mention a drop) and the pearls stocks are now junk.
To me, the pearls cannot compare to ivory even though in old S&W catalogs the pearl stocks were slightly more expensive than the ivory. Between the two, my personal preference is ivory if not factory or Ropers.
This is my S&W Perfected that lettered with MOP grips....
And I have never been to New Orelanes !
And I have never been to New Orelanes !
jebstuart
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Pearl handles aren't normally my cup of tea either but the nickel Colt Trooper my dad left me with those huge wooden Colt stocks just didn't work for me. So, I think the service style pearls look better.
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S&WsRsweet
Member
I kind got a thing for stag grips on nickel guns I can see why some folks like pearl though especially on a small " pocket" gun as it gives that dressed up look .
Welcome from Pennsylvania, Macten.
I don't know about lunatics. But, there are an extraordinary number of purists.
Medallion pearl stocks, like yours became available in 1893. Any S&W older than that would have no medallion, but usually still easy to tell the difference between them and after-market pearls. The factory stocks were much thicker and mirrored the dimensions of black hard rubber stocks of the era. Almost all distributors offered comparatively thin pearl stocks, which do not feel right in the hand. Looking for serial numbers penciled on these stocks is also problematic, since the lead easily rubbed off and after 130 years+, is usually gone.
It has been noted by other members that S&W stopped supplying pearl stocks because the quality of mother-of-pearl was getting low and shells lacked the size to provide the thicker stocks that the factory needed.
I think Pearl or Ivory stocks look better on blued guns the contrast I guess. That being said my only ivory and pearl stocked Smiths are nickle ...go figure.
