Pearl grips? 32 long.
- Thread starter Richard2003
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Yes, genuine pearl, no doubt. Most likely even factory original because the gun is so early it's before Smith put medallions in their stocks. Looks to me like a 32 hand Ejector Model of 1903 from the serial # made between 1903 and 1904. However that '09 patent date doesn't jive. Did you use a magnifying glass in sunlight or did you take the serial # from the gun butt? It doesn't look like a reblue. But is the pitted area on the muzzle blued over?
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Green Frog
Member
H44, I'm not as confident as you are about the gun not being refinished... The barrel does have roughness around the muzzle and seems to have some back at the frame as well. There seems to be a little bit of pitting on the side of the frame below the thumb release also, although that could be dust in the oily finish. Finally, it just "looks" repolished to me... maybe the lighting and the oil on the surface, though. It's hard to tell. A point in favor of originality of course is the case coloring on the hammer and trigger. They both look very strong in the finish department, so maybe it is original. More and closer pictures would help.
Richard, is it an optical illusion in the picture, or do the bottom edges of the grips extend slightly below the frame) I am no expert on old original grips, so I'll leave that judgement to others, but that factor may be important in the determination of originality. Regardless, it's a nice old I-frame.
Regards,
Froggie
Richard, is it an optical illusion in the picture, or do the bottom edges of the grips extend slightly below the frame) I am no expert on old original grips, so I'll leave that judgement to others, but that factor may be important in the determination of originality. Regardless, it's a nice old I-frame.
Regards,
Froggie
OP
Richard2003
Member
Thanks guys. The grips fit perfectly.
The number on the butt is 2225** Is that the serial number?
The number on the butt is 2225** Is that the serial number?
OP
Richard2003
Member
I am of the opinion that the stocks are pearl, but they are not factory. During the time these revolvers were manufactured, S&W had medallions and used them on their pearl grips. Those without are usually added by the distributor or owner.
I have a 1903 S&W catalog and all pictures of pearl stocks had medallions.
As far as the finish is concerned, it looks like the bluing is in the rough surfaces of the barrel where it looks to have light rusting and refinished. Could you take a picture of the muzzle?
The 222XXX is the serial number. I don't know what the 4 digit number is, but with the 1909 patent date, your gun could not be a 4 digit number. The ship date would be mid-teens or into WWI.
I have a 1903 S&W catalog and all pictures of pearl stocks had medallions.
As far as the finish is concerned, it looks like the bluing is in the rough surfaces of the barrel where it looks to have light rusting and refinished. Could you take a picture of the muzzle?
The 222XXX is the serial number. I don't know what the 4 digit number is, but with the 1909 patent date, your gun could not be a 4 digit number. The ship date would be mid-teens or into WWI.
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I was afraid as I mentioned the 4 digit # was not the serial number. Now with the correct # I have to agree with glowe. The gun is of later vintage as he said and the pearls are definitely not factory but still beautiful.
However, with your additional photos I am even more convinced the finish could be original. The rusting areas on the barrel do not look blued over to me and appears that the rust is on the surface of the bluing.
The non-flatened pins on the left side as afore mentioned and now the perfect sideplate seam on the right side are tell tale of an original finish, albeit could also be a 'factory' refinish; is there a date stamped on the left side of the grip frame under the pearl stock? The rust could have occurred after a factory refinish.
Let's see what others say with the benefit of your added photos.
glowe,
Thx, I learned something today about grip medallions. I did not know they were used on premium stocks before 1910 since they were not used on wood stocks until then. And you reminded me of something else; if they were pre 1910 w/o medallions they would have been 'dished' in that area like wood stocks.
I looked at another catalog, I think 1900 and find pearl grips with and without medallions.
All my early catalogs show all wood stocks as concave and my 1920s catalogs show all wood stocks as convex. None have medallions, so the early medallion stocks must have been only used in the teens.
All my early catalogs show all wood stocks as concave and my 1920s catalogs show all wood stocks as convex. None have medallions, so the early medallion stocks must have been only used in the teens.
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glowe,
That's correct.
S&W grip medallions:
Prior to circa 1910: No medallion and a concave dished cut where it would be except premium stocks like pearl & ivory.
C. 1910 to c. 1920, Deep dish gold gilt over brass.
C. 1920 to c. 1930, No medallion and not dished out.
C. 1930 to c. 1941-42, Flat med., nickel silver plate over brass*.
Post war to present, Contoured nickel plated brass matching grip contour.
C. 1951-52 exception, grey plastic or steel on small frame grips.
*Note: large ½" silvers on N & K frames (K changes to small size very early). Pix here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...ar-k-frame-large-silver-medallion-stocks.html
That's correct.
S&W grip medallions:
Prior to circa 1910: No medallion and a concave dished cut where it would be except premium stocks like pearl & ivory.
C. 1910 to c. 1920, Deep dish gold gilt over brass.
C. 1920 to c. 1930, No medallion and not dished out.
C. 1930 to c. 1941-42, Flat med., nickel silver plate over brass*.
Post war to present, Contoured nickel plated brass matching grip contour.
C. 1951-52 exception, grey plastic or steel on small frame grips.
*Note: large ½" silvers on N & K frames (K changes to small size very early). Pix here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...ar-k-frame-large-silver-medallion-stocks.html
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