Are the revolver grip inset round medallions plastic or metal ?
grip medallions
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dfariswheel
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Metal.
I'm not sure what kind of metal. Probably a pot metal or plated brass.
I'm not sure what kind of metal. Probably a pot metal or plated brass.
Depends on the year. Most of them are metal, Silver plated brass, I believe. But there were a few years that they were made of plastic - seems like it was the 40's or 50's.
Someone will be along who is able to pin down the dates better and share more details.
Someone will be along who is able to pin down the dates better and share more details.
Some were steel...
...Ben
...Ben
Some were steel...
Interesting. I never knew that. Learn something new around here every day.
I'm guessing they were pretty rare and used only for a short time?
'Cause I've seen LOTS of brass medallions with green corrosion, but I have yet to see a set that had rust on them.
Were the steel ones also nickel plated?
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Yes, just plated pot metal.
During the Korean War, brass was being used exclusively by the government and not available for commercial use. Instead of brass, S&W used stamped steel for their medallions, and were nickel plated. I have a Chiefs Special from mid 1953 with steel medallions. A magnet attracts them quite convincingly. They are not pot metal, which is most commonly comprised of mostly zinc, and alloyed with other low melting point metals, which is not magnetic.
Yeah, I had never heard of S&W using potmetal for anything...
I'm hoping someone can present a table or clear pictures of the various grip medallions and their respective years in use. I recall reading, it may be here just Don't recall. But a fellow collector soaked a pair of grips in an Acetone bath and ended up Melting the plastic medallions.
So it would be handy to be able to identify when the factory did use plastic medallions and the grip styles.
So it would be handy to be able to identify when the factory did use plastic medallions and the grip styles.
Engine49guy
Member
Around 1952 the medallions were changed from nickel coated brass to grey plastic,
in 1953 they were changed from plastic to Stainless steel ( no plating).
I did a thread on the Combat Masterpiece evolution with pics of the 52-53 medallions,
Here's a link, pics are in post 27 and 28
Some Combat Masterpiece eye candy
in 1953 they were changed from plastic to Stainless steel ( no plating).
I did a thread on the Combat Masterpiece evolution with pics of the 52-53 medallions,
Here's a link, pics are in post 27 and 28
Some Combat Masterpiece eye candy
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OP
Engine49guy
Member
I should have mentioned that the medallions went back to nickel coated brass in 1954.
The medallions used in the mid 1980's seem to have a goldfish hue to them,
my bet is those are the zinc ones pictured above.
The medallions used in the mid 1980's seem to have a goldfish hue to them,
my bet is those are the zinc ones pictured above.
Obviously not nickel plated brass or plastic which are totally non-magnetic, so they must be the un-plated stainless steel variety that Engine49guy refers to.
That makes sense given that some stainless is non-magnetic, some is slightly magnetic, and apparently some is quite magnetic.
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OP
Pulled this one from a non OEM S&W grip, definitely metal as its' 'heft' can be felt and drops like a rock in water, but not magnetic.
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gotta remember some of the medallions when they are inserted and the rivet is attached to the metal ring that holds it in the wood this ring is often times metal, ergo the magnet will hold it, why I pictured the medallions on their own, new and never put into a grip panel...by the way want to thank Denny and Lee for getting my issues resolved with the forum the address change affected the login, etc,,,so thanks again good to go.......
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