Factory grips for 1969 14-3?

[monroe]

I have a 14-3 that was determined by some kind folks here on the forum to be from 1969.
It has aftermarket grips and I would like to try and find correct looking grips.
They don't have to be the exact year if they look correct.
What details should I be looking for? Thanks

 

[KalamazooKid]

My 14-3 (from 1974) with its factory magnas. You can find nice sets for $40-70 at the usual places.

 

[bananaman]

I myself prefer target stocks. My 14-3 wearing them. (have magnas also) Bob

 

[OLDSTER]

Another 14-3 with factory magnas

 

[monroe]

Beautiful pics!

What determined whether a Target Masterpiece came with Magnas or Targets? Were there other options (trigger, hammer, etc) that would indicate which grips likely came on a 14-3? Or was it random? Or did it just depend on how a retailer ordered it? I'm leaning toward the target grips... I think...

BTW, what the heck is Diamondwood/Dymondwood? Plastic?

 

[JP@AK]

Were there other options (trigger, hammer, etc) that would indicate which grips likely came on a 14-3?

Absolutely not. All combinations of Ts came from the factory. I have both seen and owned Model 14s that came with 1T, 2Ts and 3Ts. My experience with the 14-3 is that more are out there with Magnas than with Targets, regardless of the trigger and hammer configuration.

Or was it random? Or did it just depend on how a retailer ordered it?

I'm not sure I'd call it "random." I suspect demand was part of the equation. Retail orders to jobbers would have been a factor, but I also suspect retailers were somewhat constrained by what the jobber had in stock.

"Target Masterpiece"

"Target" was never part of the model name. Several books, including the SCSW, are misleading on this point. It sort of got corrected in the 4th Edition.

 

[JP@AK]

Here's a photo of part of my K-38 Masterpiece collection. The 3d, 4th and 5th guns (from the top) are Model 14-3. All three have original numbered stocks. Note that they are a mixed bag with respect to the hammer and trigger combinations. This is typical.

Moreover, the 5th gun from the top not only has 2T rather than 3, it is a factory lettered SAO. If configuration dictated target stocks with TT and TH, one would expect that an SAO gun with TT and TH would have target stocks. But they don't. I have another factory SAO that also shipped with Magna stocks.

 

[JP@AK]

Also, look at the second to the bottom gun in the picture above. It is a 14-4. It has the standard trigger and hammer, but shipped with target stocks.