Proper Stocks for My Model 1902

[kscharlie]

About a month ago, I obtained a Model of 1902 (or 1905, depending on your preference) that shipped in 1906 but came with round butt stocks from the 70s/80s. I took James Redfield's advice and posted a WTB ad on the forum for a correct set of round butt stocks. The ad was answered, an agreement was reached, and they arrived in the mail box today.

To be honest, I don't know if these are original factory stocks or not. There is no serial number on the RH panel. I think they are factory, but if not factory, whoever made them did a fantastic job. The stocks are pretty much perfect, no chips, dents or dings, and very crisp checkering. Original or not, I am a happy camper!

 

[Model19man]

Big improvement!

 

[TJm15.38]

I think the stocks look great on that piece. Nice job.

 

[Retired W4]

Those stocks look great. The gun has me scratching my head. Mushroom Ejector rod knob with the 4 line address.

 

[Muley Gil]

Those stocks look great. The gun has me scratching my head. Mushroom Ejector rod knob with the 4 line address.

It probably went back to Springfield for a refinsh. Note the flat head rear side plate screw.

Are there any date stamps on the grip frame?

 

[VM]

To be honest, I don't know if these are original factory stocks or not. There is no serial number on the RH panel. I think they are factory, but if not factory, whoever made them did a fantastic job. The stocks are pretty much perfect, no chips, dents or dings, and very crisp checkering. Original or not, I am a happy camper!

You have bought an amazing set of original, factory stocks.
If you paid less than $250, you did well

 

[TheHobbyist]

They are like NOS...whoa!

 

[Retired W4]

It probably went back to Springfield for a refinsh. Note the flat head rear side plate screw.

Are there any date stamps on the grip frame?

I did notice the side plate screw, and some other things. Those stocks look brand new. If they are over 100 years old someone took very good care of them.

 

[DWalt]

The 4-line address is easily explainable, and indicates that it is likely to have been sent back to the factory for a re-blue. The grips do look correct, but I can't say if they are original or not. My guess would be that they are.

 

[Retired W4]

Here is one that shipped Feb 27, 1907. It too was modified. New barrel (numbered to the gun), ejector rod. No Made in USA. HBH. No factory re-work marks. Stocks done by Harry B. Jarvis. I don't know exactly when the work was done or by who. The features do give a hint as to when it was done.

 

[444 Magnum]

Charlie, those are beautiful grips and my questions below are not meant to detract from that in any way.

I stayed up half the night trying to find photos of other grips to compare them to. Hard to find. Most of the walnut grips are square butt and the round butt are black. I only found a few pics and the grips were rough.

Looking at yours, I see the green on the brass which means some age. The wood is extremely clean. I think that is what is bugging me-too clean-no hand oil or any build up. Also, there are some overcuts in the bottom checking on both grips. I wonder if they've been restored?

Can you post some pictures of the back?

 

[kscharlie]

Charlie, those are beautiful grips and my questions below are not meant to detract from that in any way.

I stayed up half the night trying to find photos of other grips to compare them to. Hard to find. Most of the walnut grips are square butt and the round butt are plastic. I only found a few pics and the grips were rough.

Looking at yours, I see the green on the brass which means some age. The wood is extremely clean. I think that is what is bugging me-too clean-no hand oil or any build up. Also, there are some overcuts in the bottom checking on both grips. I wonder if they've been restored?

Can you post some pictures of the back?

Yep, I have also spent hours searching for other early wood round butt grips to compare to. You are right, there are not a lot of pics out there. Did find a few pretty good pics here on the forum.

As noted in my earlier post about this gun, Newly Purchased Model 1905 May Have Been Stolen **GUN WAS DELIVERED**** beginning at post #30, it was shipped in August of 1906, factory refinished 12.76, and the 4-line address stamped at that time.

First thing I noticed when I removed the newer magna grips was the flat upper side plate screw. I will now have to find the proper domed screw to replace it. As for the "correct" grips just obtained, if they are not original, they are very old "reproductions". The back side of the panels show a lot of age, and just a tad bit of evidence indicating they were at one time on a gun. No serial number on them, but printed on the right panel in bold pencil is "F. A. KREHBIEL". Whether this was the name of the person who owned the gun they were on, or the name of the person who may have made them, I have no idea.

 

[goatsnguns]

Charlie,

I believe that those stocks are factory. I have two sets of RB service stocks with the dished gold medallions (1910-1920) they appear new and unused. they also have no serial number. My theory is that they were purchased from the factory as spares by either an individual or a company.

Gary

 

[DARE]

To find the correct grips for the gun, need to get a factory letter. The ones you have seem to be period correct, but think a lot of the round butt guns were shipped with the black hard rubber grips.

 

[kscharlie]

Charlie,

I believe that those stocks are factory. I have two sets of RB service stocks with the dished gold medallions (1910-1920) they appear new and unused. they also have no serial number. My theory is that they were purchased from the factory as spares by either an individual or a company.

Gary

Gary, your RB service stocks are simply gorgeous! To be honest, I was contemplating searching for a set like yours with the gold medallions since I "like" them better. But, they would not have been correct for the gun.

 

[kscharlie]

To find the correct grips for the gun, need to get a factory letter. The ones you have seem to be period correct, but think a lot of the round butt guns were shipped with the black hard rubber grips.

Dave, I know most of the early RB guns came with the black rubber grips. To me, the gun is not worth the cost of a factory letter to find out, and I much prefer wood grips. While they may not be the kind that were shipped on the gun, I am quite satisfied to leave them on. Also, the appropriate rubber grips cost as much or more than the ones I got.

 

[kscharlie]

You have bought an amazing set of original, factory stocks.
If you paid less than $250, you did well

Thanks to a VERY generous offer from a fellow member of SWCA, I have less than half that amount invested. I feel like a thief!

 

[DARE]

We do have some high caliber members. Congrats on your gun and grips. Happy that you like it.

 

[mrcvs]

I've looked at this thread several times today, questioning if the set of stocks you have are original, or not. I like a good puzzle, especially when it involves firearms. I think you have a very nice set of stocks, but reproductions. Let's use this revolver, with probably indisputable original stocks, in comparison:

**Smith and Wesson U.S.N. 2nd Model 1902 Revolver | Cowan's Auction House: The Midwest's Most Trusted Auction House / Antiques / Fine Art / Art Appraisals

I see three subtle differences:

1. Note the arc of the upper border of the stocks. On yours, the arc is such that it widens the distance between the centre of it and the concavity as one extends further from the centre both to the front and the rear of the revolver. On the original, it closely follows the curvature of the concavity;

2. The arc of the base of the stock is more pronounced on the original set of stocks as compared to yours, such that if extended to create a complete circle, yours with a lesser degree of arc would create a larger circle than the original set of stocks;

3. The depth of the concavity of the original set is slightly greater than yours, meaning the extent to which the top of the stocks is higher than the frame is ever so slightly greater on your revolver at the concavity than the original set of stocks.

I should also mention that the finish of your revolver and the hues suggest a more contemporary finish than the original, but photographs can differ in technique from photographer to photographer and the lighting used and this very well may be an optical illusion.

 

[VM]

I've looked at this thread several times today, questioning if the set of stocks you have are original, or not. I like a good puzzle, especially when it involves firearms. I think you have a very nice set of stocks, but reproductions.

Keith Brown is the only person that could reproduce an early set of stocks like this.
Please show me an example of ANY reproduction stocks that have ever been made like these. ( his would look nicer than these factory stocks)
TIA