Mystery K frame stocks
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Maybe Sandersons.
They look like good ones, yes maybe Sanderson's. You should post pics. of the backsides of panels.
Number 4 vote for Sandersons. If they are Sandersons they'll have a large number stamped in to their backs; single or double digit usually. Probably worth a couple or three hundred bucks, would be to me anyway if they are indeed Sandersons.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Modified
Member
Lets see the backs. That should confirm what I believe are Ropers.
Almost certainly Ropers, Sandersons have coarse checkering and it's usually incomplete near the edge of checkering field. As Modified said, let's see the backs, and in particular the area inside that snugs up to the trigger guard.
Ropers. Need to see the back to confirm.
Not Sanderson…
I believe those were offered by Griffin & Howe. See the old advertisement in post #1 of this thread. They're labeled "Other Styles":
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...griffin-howe-grips.html?200209=#post136033004
I believe those were offered by Griffin & Howe. See the old advertisement in post #1 of this thread. They're labeled "Other Styles":
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...griffin-howe-grips.html?200209=#post136033004
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I'm with the "they're probably Ropers" crowd (but would also like some photos of the back of the grips for confirmation). Here's a similar pair on an Outdoorsman (the bottom-middle gun on the red box):
... AND, If you decide that you do not "need" them, I would be more than happy to exchange a stack of cash to relocate them to here in the AZ, where thumbrest Ropers are loved and cherished.
... AND, If you decide that you do not "need" them, I would be more than happy to exchange a stack of cash to relocate them to here in the AZ, where thumbrest Ropers are loved and cherished.
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Does anyone know who made the Griffin and Howe ones ?
That's my guesstimate
That's my guesstimate
From the thread referenced by s&wchad above:
source: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...griffin-howe-grips.html?200209=#post136033004...I've also found this old Griffin and Howe ad that someone here on the forum posted. I'm sorry but I forgot who that was...
I think those grips on the right in the G&H ad are Ropers.
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I agree and think made by Mr.Gagne but for G&H.
They do say hand made in the add.
They do say hand made in the add.
Thank you one and all! My ignorance of S&W stocks and these types in particular is mitigated by this post and the many fine responses. Sincerely. bruce.
kwill1911
Member
I agree with those that say they're Ropers, definitely not Sanderson. The G&H and Roper connection has never been established, as far as I know. Many G&H grips certainly look like Gagne's work but it is curious given that G&H were notable stock makers.
Hi Guys:
Thank you for the outpouring of information. I really do appreciate that. Here are pics of the back side of the grips. They each appear to have the number "38" etched into them. Would these pics confirm or deny that they are Roper's?
Thanks again. Not sure what I'm going to do with these, but it sure is wonderful to know what they are.
Tim
Thank you for the outpouring of information. I really do appreciate that. Here are pics of the back side of the grips. They each appear to have the number "38" etched into them. Would these pics confirm or deny that they are Roper's?
Thanks again. Not sure what I'm going to do with these, but it sure is wonderful to know what they are.
Tim
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kwill1911
Member
Yup, Ropers, for sure.
Modified
Member
Indeed, and the good ones, made by Gagne. As evidenced by the quality, features, checkering, and jig marks.
One thing to be very careful of is the little lip around the trigger guard. If you look close you can see it. Frequently broken off, in your case it looks to be present. This is something that only Gagne ever did, and maybe the only guy who could do such a crazy little bit of woodworking.
Edit: I should note that having a real set of ropers in your hand is an opportunity to acquaint yourself with the features that can't really be related in pictures. The shelf for your middle finger being down swept instead of straight across for example is a prime example of this. It's a big reason they feel so good when you put them in your hand, but it's absolutely nothing that can properly be shown in a picture.
I made a video a while back about a set of mine that are feature rich, and fit me, which I think does a good job of talking about some of the incredible features that can be found on ropers which pretty pictures just don't relate:
King Sight & Roper Stock equipped Colt 1911 - YouTube
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Those both look like Roper's to me. I had a set on a 1st Gen Woodsman that looked almost exactly like the ones on the left in that ad.
Mark
The OP's grips look like dead ringers for this set of Roper's. Excuse the poor photo, but this set also has a serial number that would indicate they were originally made for, and fitted to an early post war K target revolver. Could've been either a K-22, K-32 or K-38. They're shown on my K-38 which is in the K 43000 serial range.
Mark
Mark
Beautiful set of stocks! I think enough people have chimed in with the correct answer.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Even if they were actually sold by Griffin and Howe, I still think they're Gagne produced. So whether they were retailed by G&H or Walter Roper, I still think they're made by Mathias Gagne.
Griffin and Howe employed their own stock makers but also often contracted or farmed out work to independent craftsmen. And it's important to remember that times were tough then and men were doing whatever work they could to pay the bills, particularly in the gun industry. I don't claim to be the expert on Smith and Wesson's that many on here are, but I have been a very serious collector and historian on pre-WW2 custom gunmakers like Griffin and Howe, Hoffman Arms Company, Niedner Rifle, and R.G. Owen. A lot of the talent either jumped from one company to another or they worked independently in their own home workshops. Mathias Gagne was one of those talented individuals who produced work for anyone who would pay for his skills.
Just curious, what was the price of these grips back in the day?
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