Numbered grips

[Toter]

Did S&W ever stamp the serial number of the gun into the grips? I have only seen them ink stamped. Recently looking at a model 14, and see that the serial is stamped into the wood. Was wondering if this is an attempt to fake original grips?

 

[Retired W4]

Here is an example of someone's attempt at faking numbered grips. the number should only be on the right panel, without prefix. I'm not sure what they were getting at.

 

[raljr1]

Did S&W ever stamp the serial number of the gun into the grips?

Yes, it was the regular practice for quite a while. Never included the letter prefix. Sometimes all in a row,



sometimes split llike this one.

 

[s&wchad]

S&W stamped the numeric portion of the serial number in the right grip panel on factory fitted magna and service stocks, starting before WWII. The practice ended around 1980. Replacement stocks sold as accessories were not numbered.

Some target stocks were numbered to the gun in the 1950's, but it was soon discontinued and wasn't done in the 1960's and 70's. I can't say I've ever seen S&W stocks with the serial number ink stamped. They did date stamp some target and combat stocks in the 1980's.