Is this rosewood?

[marlinspike]

I ordered a set of the rosewood target grips from S&W for my Model 27. You can see them installed on the gun in the picture. I expected them to look more like the color of the service grips next to the gun. Is this rosewood, and it just comes in a ton of shades, or is this not what was advertised?

 

[TSQUARED]

There are several types of Rosewood. The older Brazilian Rosewood called Jacaranta has the dark black rings with red/purple between. Other varieties from the same family are equally dense but have more pinkish tone much as your grips. I believe it is dificult to find the old Jacarranta type wood these days. i have not seen it for quite a while. Year ago I made a bookcase headboard to match the remainder of the bedroom furniture whuich was trimmed with jacarata and was fortunate to obtain a supply from a friend who worked for Gibson guitar.

 

[marlinspike]

Are you saying the service grips are Jacaranta? They came on my 27, which is hardly old (it's a 27-9).

I would have said the target grips are Walnut, so I guess you can call me a monkey's uncle.

 

[scout II]

This is a set that came on my new classic model 57-6.They are a lot more red than the ones you have.

 

[Culina]

The magna grips are a Birch Based Laminate, the target grips look a little like Walnut but they could very well be Indian Rosewood.

There has been an export ban on Brazilain Rosewood since the early 90's

 

[papajohn428]

I have a set of Bolivian Rosewood grips made by Craig Spegel, and they are even lighter than yours.

 

[marlinspike]

I guess I just really lucked out on the grips that came with the gun.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Altamont - Pistol Grips

Click on one of the drop down boxes and you will see what they call "Super Rosewood". If you give them a call and tell them what you want they can make it for you. They will checker them, add medallions, and they make them in several types of laminates. You will have to ask them what species the rosewood is.

 

[markush]

Altamont - Pistol Grips

Click on one of the drop down boxes and you will see what they call "Super Rosewood". If you give them a call and tell them what you want they can make it for you. They will checker them, add medallions, and they make them in several types of laminates. You will have to ask them what species the rosewood is.

Altamonts are also a laminate. Basically Birch plywood with the different layers dyed to contrast each other.

 

[epj]

This is probably what you were expecting. This is from the '70's:

 

[TDC]

Here are three examples of what I believe most people expect to see when they think of Rosewood stocks. Very dense, very dark, almost a black red color that is clearly an indication of true Rosewood.

Because of the woods rarity and the higher prices the actual wood commands, many lesser variations of the wood are marketed under the Rosewood label.

It's getting to the point where any dense "rain forest" type hardwood is being sold as Rosewood and most grip makers are getting away with it. I work with wood a lot and to see some of the stocks people, and companies, sell as "Rosewood." The wood is so obviously walnut, Zebra Wood, Coco Bolo, or at best Goncalo Alves.

I love true Brazilian Rosewood grips and have them on many gun in my collection. The wood had better be dark, dense, and very typically the real thing or I'm not buyin'.....

So the old phrase "let the buyer beware" really holds true when buying this rare wood.

JMHO

 

[marlinspike]

No, Zebrano, while I guess it would be a poor substitute for Rosewood, would be pretty nifty.

I expected something like what's shown on the website where I bought them....
Product: N/G Square Butt Rosewood Checkered Target Grip w/S&W Medallions

 

[firearmsunlimited]

There is some excellent information and photos of rosewood stocks in various hues on this thread: http://smith-wessonforum.com/swca-members-forum/193068-k-frame-rosewood-stocks.html