Correct grips for a 1968 19-2?

[blackdeuce]

I acquired a nickel 2 1/2" 19-2. It's a nice gun, but the grips have silver washers and no serial number. The gun dates to 1968.

I found an era correct set of grips on eBay that are numbered to another gun. They came off of a 1966 model 19. Round butt magnas without a diamond. Black washers. The seller is the original owner of the gun. These grips are on the gun.

For collector value, does it help the value of the gun to have the correct era of grips on the gun even if the serial number does not match?

 

[s&wchad]

Silver circle inserts were supplied on stainless guns and blued inserts were supplied on blued/nickel guns, until S&W standardized on stainless inserts in 1973. The did use up inventory on hand.

Magna's numbered to the gun are obviously the most desirable, but I wouldn't spend money to replace your stainless washer Magna's if they fit well.

 

[lihpster]

I would say they increase the value the price of a pair of period correct grips.

 

[22hipower]

If the gun is what I consider "collectible" I want the correct grips even if the SN is not the one on the gun. All of us want the grips stamped with the gun's SN but know that often that's not what we're going to get. And will almost never get if the grips are targets. If the gun is a fairly common model and I intend to use it and shoot it then I want the best fitting but nice looking grips and don't care if they're not "period correct." I don't know that the period correct grips make the gun worth more, but without them it is worth less to me, how much less depends what they are. I won't gripe much, about a 28-2 that comes with "cokes" rather than the correct magnas.

However, for something like an early post war 38/44 OD transitional, I want the correct grips and will pay for them. If I'm going to carry and use that 19-2 I'd use whatever felt best. I have a 2.5 nickel 19-3 in the box though that I want to be as correct as possible. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[blackdeuce]

I have already purchased the 1966 grips. They are really nice. They appear to be walnut. I know the year of the grips because they are numbered. They originally came on a 1966 19-2.

The silver washer grips appear to be GA.

The 1966 grips have a bit of a flat spot on the bottom. The GA grips are curved for the entirety of the bottom.

The walnut grips look nicer on the gun. Both sets fit well.

This will not be a shooter. I have other guns better suited for that purpose.

Photo added.

 

[paplinker]

If the gun is what I consider "collectible" I want the correct grips even if the SN is not the one on the gun. All of us want the grips stamped with the gun's SN but know that often that's not what we're going to get. And will almost never get if the grips are targets. If the gun is a fairly common model and I intend to use it and shoot it then I want the best fitting but nice looking grips and don't care if they're not "period correct." I don't know that the period correct grips make the gun worth more, but without them it is worth less to me, how much less depends what they are. I won't gripe much, about a 28-2 that comes with "cokes" rather than the correct magnas.

However, for something like an early post war 38/44 OD transitional, I want the correct grips and will pay for them. If I'm going to carry and use that 19-2 I'd use whatever felt best. I have a 2.5 nickel 19-3 in the box though that I want to be as correct as possible. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I do keep a small woodpile of grips without any serial number.
It's possible I might have a little bit of OCD
If I see a set for sale and they are like new I bid. If they are rarish I bid.

Grips without any number are for some odd reason better than the wrong serial number for me. Neither set are original Not sure why I prefer them.

 

[blackdeuce]

Photo added to original post.

 

[Vtgw938]

I like to have a set of period correct stocks and often have a set of magnas and targets. If your a stickler, the escutcheons are also different. Both sets are walnut, as are most magna style stocks.

 

[larryLegendary]

I have a model 19-4 that I bought about 21 years ago. It had some huge funky Pachmeyr grips. I put a Hogue Monogrip on it and it fit me fine. Then I found some Magna grips at a gun show, and hated shooting it even though it looked cool. So I found a grip adapter on ebay from Robertson Trading. First time shooting it, was brutal. Beat my middle finger knuckle hard. Went back with the Mono grip. Now I think I wasn't gripping it right. I love the way the wood grips look, maybe I should leave the .357 magnum loads home and shoot .38. I cast my bullets and reload myself. What do you think?