K22 Grip Question

[jimtrout1960]

I recently acquired my first S&W revolver, a k22 masterpiece that was made around 1948 (verified by serial number by folks on here in an earlier thread). My question is what kind of target grips were available in that era, I would like to have a pair of diamond targets, but were they made in that era in the relieved or non-relieved style? Thanks for all of your help.

I don't post much, but I read a lot of threads. I especially enjoyed the one yesterday with photos of the target 45. WOW!

 

[jimtrout1960]

I recently acquired my first S&W revolver, a k22 masterpiece that was made around 1948 (verified by serial number by folks on here in an earlier thread). My question is what kind of target grips were available in that era, I would like to have a pair of diamond targets, but were they made in that era in the relieved or non-relieved style? Thanks for all of your help.

I don't post much, but I read a lot of threads. I especially enjoyed the one yesterday with photos of the target 45. WOW!

 

[fyimo]

The diamond grips are correct for the era of your gun but I think the would have been diamond magnas. I bought a K22 and it was made about 1952 and it came with diamond targets that aren't correct for the gun.

 

[s&wchad]

Originally posted by jimtrout1960:
k22 masterpiece that was made around 1948

My question is what kind of target grips were available in that era

Aftermarket. I believe N frame factory targets showed up around 1952-53 and K frame targets around 1955.

 

[jimtrout1960]

Thanks guys. I am afraid I have gotten hooked. I am already looking for a Kit Gun and and/or a k38.

 

[s&wchad]

FISH ON!!!

 

[Jebus35745]

My 4-digit ser pre 17 has diamond targets on it. They look good but are not correct. It came with goodyears on it and I like the diamond targrts so a marriage was born. Larry

 

[relic]

Here's some info I've picked-up here from other posts:

K Frame Diamond "Targets", offered from 1946, were available in Non-Relief, Based upon research of origional S&W Sales Literature, K frame "Target" grips were listed in the 1950 "All Products Circular" and as late as the 1952 "Centennial Catalog". The grips illustrated are symetrical and do not have the Cartridge Relief. After about 1955, they were offered in "football" cartridge relief.

Diamond Targets ( and Diamond Magnas) were discontinued in 1968.

"Speed-Loader Cut Outs (sometimes called "scallops" as the cut out goes all the way down to the frame) came much later in the early 80's.

HTH.
Bob in Indy

Corrected the All Products Circular date. Thx M Priwer for the info.

 

[DWFAN]

How about some pics.

DW

 

[mikepriwer]

K frame "Target" grips were listed in the 1946 "All Products Circular"

I think this is wrong. The first listing in the Circular, post-WW2, is Jan 1950. Without a doubt, the
Oct 1946 Circular does not list , or show, target stocks. Neither do any of the others I have, between
1946 and 1949 .

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[jimtrout1960]

Originally posted by DWFAN:
How about some pics.

DW

Great pics. You wouldn't be interested in parting with the ones on the top left would you?

 

[Ron H.]

So, is it plausible for a 1955 K-22 to have come from the factory with non-relieved diamond targets? I ask because my '55 K-22 is so equipped; it also has a target hammer and high-polish blue.

I realize a factory letter is the only way to know for sure, but I hesitate to letter this gun since I don't have the box, dox or tools with it.

Here's a pic.

Thanks, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[DHENRY]

Mike Priwer is correct on his dates.
Don

 

[Kenneth Claverie]

I don't know if this will help, but here is a pic of a pistol my Dad bought in 1960(k316,3xx) with factory targets.

 

[Homie]

According to "THE Book" it's a '57 gun which would explain the non-relieved left stock.

I'm assuming it's not model numbered.

Very nice!

Good shooting.

 

[jimtrout1960]

A follow up question. Do you think I would be wasting my money to try and find a pair of non-relievd target stocks for my K22? The diamond magnas on it are numbered to the gun and in excellent condition. I want a pair of target stocks for comfort in shooting, but I like the idea of them being original if that makes sense. Thanks.

 

[mikepriwer]

Jim

For shooting purposes, there are LOTS of target stocks available, and they fit different
hands differently. Since these are not going to be original anyway, I'd try to find something
that fits you hand, and gives you the control that you want. S&W factory stocks are a one-size
fits all, and may not be the best fit for you.

I'll tell you an interesting story. Several years ago, I bought two K-38's, at an auction , that
belonged to LAPD Chief Ed Davis. They both had non-factory target stocks - very nice, but not
factory. In the process of cleaning them, I discovered that the earlier gun, about serial
K90xxx, had the front corner of the frame cut off, to accomodate these particular grips.

I noticed that, with these grips, the feel of the gun was totally different, but that, for my
lousy shooting abilities, it was wonderful. On the other hand, from a collector perspective, I
was disappointed with the frame being cut, and sought out an original factory pair of target stocks.

I wrote Chief Davis, asking about the guns, and particularly about the stocks. He graciously
wrote back, and although I had trouble reading his handwriting, he noted that someone at the
LAPD armory made those stocks for him.

Fast forward to last year, and there was a thread here about LAPD guns. One of the pictures
posted was, I realized, that of the fellow at the armory who made the grips ! He was part of their
shooting team.

So now - I feel very differently about the cut-frame gun. Indeed, I kept the custom grips that
came with the gun, and on the very few occasions that I shoot it, I use those custom grips.
I'm thinking that I just ought to leave those on the gun - even though it does letter with
target stocks !

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[DWFAN]

We've had several posts about that gentleman. Fuzzy Farrant is the name and custom grips are the game. I have a couple sets laying around as do others here. Only trouble is if you don't have the gun they were on most of them couldn't be used on a stock frame.
Paul

 

[jimtrout1960]

Thanks for all the information. I may very well buy a set of diamond targets just because I like the way they look, but I definitely am going to search for some aftermarket grips which fit my hand.

 

[mikepriwer]

Paul

No - its Walter Stark. Here is a picture of him , shooting with other members
of that team, including Farrant. You may need to magnify to read the names on
the bottom of the picture.

Here is a piece of a story I came across, by Clint Smith, about Walter :

"Selected as the full-time department firearms instructor, I got to go to Camp Perry for the NRA Firearm Instructor's School in July 1974. I was fortunate to meet and talk to Bill Jordon and Francis McKee, both legends then and now. I oversaw and--in many cases built--two new department firearms ranges, one indoor and one outdoors. We completely overhauled the department armory from six different kinds of shotguns to one--the Remington 870. A newly adopted handgun program allowed any revolver to be carried including .44s, albeit sans the full-blown magnums. I carried (and shot with effectiveness) a Smith & Wesson 4" Model 29 with the Remington 240-grain mid-range loadings, which I liked a lot--and still do. The S&W 29 sported retired LAPD officer Walter Stark's custom grips. The new Sheriff allowed me to break away from the PPC courses of fire and apply some of the stuff I was reading about taught and promoted by an outspoken retired Marine named John D. Cooper."

The link to the story is http://findarticles.com/p/arti...s_10_51/ai_n14936912


Regards, Mike Priwer