Heresy? Sacreligous? and origonal grips

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AudieMurphy

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Say its not so....But,yes. I've read it here and have seen it take place. Harvesting origonal grips off older collectable pistols....Heresy or being capitalistic to sell or to put on other guns. According to those who do it....its ok, I'll sell the gun(with cheap Pach'ys) and recoup my money. But who cares anyway....right? what say you?
 
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I often scroll right on past a gun with aftermarket grips, unless it is priced right. I will not pay market value for a collectible gun and then have to buy the proper grips for it. I have noticed that there is one seller on GB that sells a lot of guns missing the grips. I figured this was his way of maximizing his profits.
 
I wouldn't do it, but that's just me. It's your gun, do as you wish.

We could say the same thing about sporterizing a classic Springfield Rifle. There are those that would have a conniption fit if you cut down the barrel and put on a black plastic stock. Now, THAT"S sacrilegious.
 
JeffD607 said:
I often scroll right on past a gun with aftermarket grips, unless it is priced right. I will not pay market value for a collectible gun and then have to buy the proper grips for it. I have noticed that there is one seller on GB that sells a lot of guns missing the grips. I figured this was his way of maximizing his profits.
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I saw that also....probably maximizing profits....although Ive seen some parts kits go higher likely because of the grips included from other sellers
 
fatcat3 said:
I think it's my gun I'll sell it however I damn well please, as long as I am NOT trying to pass of one thing for another. If someone doesn't like it, don't buy it, otherwise
View attachment 793497 ;)
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If you removed and ORIGONAL part and replaced it with a repop.....you are passing it off....Because now its not origonal anymore....
 
My Buddy and I have a table at Alamogordo Gun show.
I'm away from the table visiting and socializing.
I get back to the table, he informed me that I just made a deal.
Sold a 686, got a 66 in trade.
The buyer who was Alamogordo policeman asked for a favor.
Would it be possible that I can keep my grips?
My buddy replied sure take this screwdriver and take the grips off of the 66.
I'll take them off the 686. Flip-flop. Now I've got a used 66 with new grips.
I'm most likely replaced the grips on the 66 with used grips.
Now I got a pair of new grips that I can swap out on another gun.
 
Imo its kinda like breaking wind in church,
It gives you satisfaction but others think its gross and suffer.
Ironically for the same reason its probably not a good idea to claim you did it.
Probably better to play dumb or blame it on someone else to avoid the shame of doing that bad thing you did.
Oh, sorry thats the way it came to me.
 
AudieMurphy said:
If you removed and ORIGONAL part and replaced it with a repop.....you are passing it off....Because now its not origonal anymore....
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What's a repop?

I once bought a Model 28-2 from 1963 that someone had put a nice set of Cokes on. Once I got it home, I immediately transferred them to my Model 57 no dash that was in need of them.IMG_1270.webpIMG_1284.webp
 
I made a trade for a 629-5 MG, it came with a nice set of factory combats.
I found the correct issue Hogue grip.

I sold the combats to significantly offset cost.
No harm no fowl.

Original grips they stay with them.
 
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If it's a numbered grip I do not have it in me to permanently separate it from the same numbered gun.
That said on these newer guns with targets who really knows how many different sets of grips have been on them. I could not ever state that they shipped on the gun originally short of a letter stating rosewood....etc

I own a rough condition Outdoors-man I paid $300 for. The original grips on it are like new and I could recoup $150 likely towards what I paid for the gun. I just do not have it in me to separate grips that have been with the gun for 94 years now. Guns not rare or in great condition externally.
 
AudieMurphy said:
yea, I can hear it now..."thats the way it was when I got it"....read #9....NOBODY claims that honor.....NOBODY!!
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I'm the guy that goes back into a store when I find that they under-charged me, didn't scan an item so I didn't get charged at all, or if they gave me too much change back. Yes, I still pay with cash.
That "NOBODY" just got you ignored. Some people still believe in honor and doing what's right for the sake of doing what's right. It would seem you are not one of them.
 
I saw a Pre-14 that was in mint condition, and owned by a local that was a principal of the Second Amendment Foundation. It was priced at $300 and it had a set of custom Grips. I accepted his offer, contingent upon him finding the original Diamond Magnas. He couldn't find them. My new offer was $250 and I'd give him $50 if he found them. He agreed. End of story.

I had a Pre-17 that was well worn. I switched the Diamonds to the 14 and bought a set of fancy Thailand grips for the 17.

So, my 14 is period correct but not the right serial number, and my 17 looks cool.

Did I offend anyone?
 
I have bought and still own multiple parts kits that are still in the wrap with factory GA target grips.

I put targets on nearly everything, but the magnas that are numbered to the gun, go in the box.

When you buy a K Frame with target grips, there is NO way to know how many guns those grips have been on previously since they are not numbered to the gun in the first place.
 
MelvinWalker said:
When you buy a K Frame with target grips, there is NO way to know how many guns those grips have been on previously since they are not numbered to the gun in the first place.
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True but certain years or group of years had stocks with certain unique features,
For example early post war service stocks on first year Baby Chiefs and Terriers, Stocks from 1952 usually have plastic medallions, 1953 steel medallions, the 50's to early 60's 44 Magnums had Cokes, 50's Combat Magnums had the sharp radius heel turn, 1967-68 non diamond stocks had ss deep escutcheons vs shallow brass ones later.
Point is those unique stocks belong with that gun not on one from a different era.
Its a dirty trick IMO that greedy people pull that dont care about keeping a gun correct vs making a quick buck.
Its kinda like selling a vintage Rolex Speedmaster you inherited but keeping the owners manual and original documents to sell on ebay then bragging about it.
No law against that but its bad form,
If thats how you roll you be you but dont expect my approval for doing sleazy stuff.....
 
It is their gun, they can do what they want with it. That said, I would not buy from someone I knew was doing that. I only change grips on a revolver I buy if they are not original to begin with. If they are not serialized but are correct I leave them be. I kinda enjoy buying a revolver with mismatched grips. It gives me a excuse to contact the Culinas.
 
Engine49guy said:
True but certain years or group of years had stocks with certain unique features,
For example early post war service stocks on first year Baby Chiefs and Terriers, Stocks from 1952 usually have plastic medallions, 1953 steel medallions, the 50's to early 60's 44 Magnums had Cokes, 50's Combat Magnums had the sharp radius heel turn, 1967-68 non diamond stocks had ss deep escutcheons vs shallow brass ones later.
Point is those unique stocks belong with that gun not on one from a different era.
Its a dirty trick IMO that greedy people pull that dont care about keeping a gun correct vs making a quick buck.
Its kinda like selling a vintage Rolex Speedmaster you inherited but keeping the owners manual and original documents to sell on ebay then bragging about it.
No law against that but its bad form,
If thats how you roll you be you but dont expect my approval for doing sleazy stuff.....
Click to expand...
A set of Ebay silver washered target grips for a K frame is not a Registered Magnum... They are common and routinely sell on Ebay by the dozens every day... I am quite familiar with the fact that different featured grips go on different eras of guns. Replacing the grips is no different than replacing the strain screw or swapping a hammer out.

There is a company out west that sells complete parts kits from confiscated firearms. The frame is sawn in two and the entire "gun" is then sold for parts. I have bought several dozen of these kits, usually for the original target grips that comes with the kit. The only reason the magnas were serialized to begin with it because they had to be had fitted to the frame, so S&W numbered them so they could stay with that frame. Modern CNC methods no longer need this to be done because tolerances are milled by computers now and not micrometers.

Here is just one that I bought out of maybe 20 sets over the years.

smith-wesson-686-stainless_Z9pe3.webp
 
AudieMurphy said:
Say its not so....But,yes. I've read it here and have seen it take place. Harvesting original grips off older collectable pistols....Heresy or being capitalistic to sell or to put on other guns. According to those who do it....its ok, I'll sell the gun(with cheap Pach'ys) and recoup my money. But who cares anyway....right? what say you?
Click to expand...

I suggest reading the OP again,
Its specifically asking about "Harvesting original grips off older collectable pistols" not buying stocks from chopped up 80's parts kits.

On a side note IMO buying say a 1970 27-2 with Cokes then swapping those onto a minty fresh 1957 44 Magnum you bought wearing meh 70's era targets,
In that case swapping the two is something to be applauded and encouraged IMO.
 
Engine49guy said:
On a side note IMO buying say a 1970 27-2 with Cokes then swapping those onto a minty fresh 1957 44 Magnum you bought wearing meh 70's era targets,
In that case swapping the two is something to be applauded and encouraged IMO.
Click to expand...
On another side note, why are some swaps "to be encouraged and applauded" when others are trickery and borderline fraud?

I would venture to say that most handguns with any age have parts swapped on them. Grips are the most common thing to swap on a gun, especially target grips.

Other than factory numbered magnas, there is simply no way to tell that a period correct target grip is original to the gun, especially 1970's era guns. There were some 1980's era target grips that had no washer and were date stamped, but I have seen scores of earlier factory target grips, both blued and silver washer varieties that are not marked at all.
 
So you have a nice Heavy Duty with later model aftermarket stocks, you'd sure like to have a set of period Magnas to complete the package. You walk into a pawnshop and there's a 1937 Brazilian that someone buffed to look like a shiny black bar of soap somewhere in it's history, rotten bore included at no extra charge, but it happens to be wearing a very nice set of Magnas you've been looking for to put on your HD. It's priced appropriately for its condition. It's "unethical" to buy it, swap stocks with your other revolver, and resell the one you don't want?

Your money, your items after you pay for them, let your conscience be your guide but don't expect it to guide others.
 
MelvinWalker said:
On another side note, why are some swaps "to be encouraged and applauded" when others are trickery and borderline fraud?
Click to expand...
In the hypothetical scenario I painted the two guns came with the wrong era stocks, the swap I proposed results in both guns getting proper era stocks.
If you reverse the scenario and buy a 1957 .44 Magnum then rob the Cokes off it to swap onto your 1970's era 27-2 then sell the 44 with wrong stocks its sleazy and a perfect example of what not to do IMO.
 
The Kid said:
So you have a nice Heavy Duty with later model aftermarket stocks, you'd sure like to have a set of period Magnas to complete the package. You walk into a pawnshop and there's a 1937 Brazilian that someone buffed to look like a shiny black bar of soap somewhere in it's history, rotten bore included at no extra charge, but it happens to be wearing a very nice set of Magnas you've been looking for to put on your HD. It's priced appropriately for its condition. It's "unethical" to buy it, swap stocks with your other revolver, and resell the one you don't want?

Your money, your items after you pay for them, let your conscience be your guide but don't expect it to guide others.
Click to expand...
In a scenario where you have two same guns , ones a mint gun with rough shooter condition stocks and the others a rough condition shooter with same style but mint stocks ,
Imo swapping the two sets makes one more valuable as a collectable where putting shooter grade stocks on a shooter grade gun wont hurt its value as a shooter so no harm no foul a win win situation.
 
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