Grip Color

[GypsmJim]

I just picked up a set of target stocks for a S&W N model - probably 1970's vintage. They are a perfect fit and matched size-wise to each other, but the color difference is quite pronounced. One is a dark reddish color, while the other is a light tan or almost yellowish. Its not the finishing (both appear to be factory finished), but rather the wood itself is not the same.

My question is......how likely is it that they are a matched pair? Did S&W sell revolvers with different color stocks? When stocks were fitted, was it done as a pair so that the size would line up perfectly, or are they formed separately to close tolerances?

 

[DWFAN]

This is a common occurrence. Probably Goncalo Alves. Matching stocks in this type of wood are fairly rare.
DW

 

[GypsmJim]

I need to take a pic I guess. The grain in your pics is quite pronounced....just like the left side of mine. But the right side is a solid color, with no differences.

 

[dant]

that is found quite often, especially in 'service type guns' as the presentation ones are usually 'select'??? some folks call them "book ends" and those are the ones that can get "pricy"........we've seen many of the lighter, straight grained walnut ones from the 70's....knew a few folks who would then strip them, darken the finish and redo them to make them "decent".............

 

[GypsmJim]

Here's a pic. Again, the question is: "how likely would these be on the same gun from the factory?"

 

[Maximumbob54]

WOW, you aren't kidding. Those don't match at all. Unless they are numbered to the gun then I would bet at least one of them isn't original. I have seen some of what I assume are old police guns with mismatched stocks since the right side is clearly newer than the left. That may be the same issue you have. Does the wood on the bottom at least mate together at all in grain? If not then they don't go together. I like the blond wood though.

 

[GypsmJim]

No grain match, but they are a perfect "size" match.

They have been stripped and stained and they look much better now. I'm working on the finish and I'll post the "after" pics later.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I was going to suggest a dye maybe to match the two up. I saw some "ebony" targets once that had been dyed black, stained black, and then coated with clear and they looked odd but pretty sharp. Dye might match yours up pretty good.

 

[DWFAN]

You can test dye the back of the light one to get a color match.
DW