Question on delineating original grips from aftermarket

[kadams]

I am wondering how I can tell the difference between grips that are original to a specific revolver or changed/added later, Specifically Diamond target grips on a 1957 K22, Thanks for any info.

 

[Alk8944]

If you really meant 'after-market", stocks, those made by another maker than the S&W "stock job" which was part of the factory operation until the late 1970s, it is easy. S&W made stocks will have the steel washer on the inside riveted to them by the shank of the medallion, after-market stocks will not have the steel washer.

If you meant are the stocks on the gun made by S&W but were originally attached to a different gun, that is easy too. Look at the back of the right stock and you will find the serial number of the gun they originally came on. If that number matches your gun then they are original to it. If the number is different then they were originally on another gun.

There are exceptions to this. Factory target stocks usually will not have a SN. You may also find two different numbers on the right stock. This generally means that for some reason stocks numbered to a gun were changed at the factory for a different style. The removed stocks then were sometimes factory installed on a different new gun. S&W rarely wasted any good parts!

Regarding target stocks, since they generally were not numbered to the gun usually there is no way to tell if they are original to it or came from a different gun as long as the style is period correct to the guns SN. So far as collector value is concerned original or switched makes no difference because of this. Target stocks may be plain with no cut-out at the top, or have various shaped clearance cuts at the top referred to as "Football', "Speed loader", etc. depending on the shape. This is what determines the style name given to the specific stocks. I will refer you to the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" for a more detailed description of specific stock types and styles.

 

[s&wchad]

I am wondering how I can tell the difference between grips that are original to a specific revolver or changed/added later, Specifically Diamond target grips on a 1957 K22, Thanks for any info.

The short answer is you can't.

Most K-22 Masterpiece/model 17's came with Magna's and the right panel would have the numeric part of the serial number stamped on the inside.

Target stocks would have been special ordered on these and wouldn't be numbered. If the gun lettered as being shipped with target stocks, there's no way to know if they're the original set.

 

[kadams]

Thankyou

This answered all my questions

 

[glowe]

One more point - K frame target stocks were made in a couple of different patterns by 1957. First sets were non-relieved stocks without cutouts for the cylinder extractor. Relieved, football cutout checkered w/diamond Targets. Black washer, 1956 until about 1974 although most were used up by 1972. That means that the same type targets ran for 18 years and not many had serial numbers. S&W sold tons of target stocks through hardware stores and gun shops during those years, and it is not certain that the factory numbered many since they did not need to be finished on the gun anymore. It is said that there were small and large cutouts, but I have not seen any documentation that they were done in different eras.

Bottom line is that un-numbered targets from this era may still be original from the factory, so as long as the proper era stocks were on the gun, no loss in value without the number.

 

[kadams]

Serial number and example stocks

So could either of these stocks be correct for a 1957 production K Frame Revolver? I have a pic of the serial number also I may be off on the date, your help is appreciated

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Original Grips on the Blue 19.
As I have posted, bought it in Guam.
Non Original on the Nickel 19.
I put these on, can’t recall what came on it, but didn’t think at the time I bought it used that it had original grips.

 

[gmborkovic]

Years and years of owning guns may teach you something, but not everything. And lots of mistakes.

 

[s&wchad]

So could either of these stocks be correct for a 1957 production K Frame Revolver? I have a pic of the serial number also I may be off on the date, your help is appreciated

This set would be correct for a 1957 gun.

These are too early...

Note that the second set doesn't have an extractor relief cut at the top of the left panel.

 

[kadams]

Relieved VS non relieved

Right as far as I can tell your right that the relieved grips are correct, Do you know what year the non relieved no longer were produced?

again thanks

 

[rct269]

My take on grips goes along these lines: Original wood is all well and good. Replacements work pretty much the same, and there's no practical solution to missing originals.

Then we come to damaged originals. There are those who can make them look like news---the same goes for boxes. "glowe" hereabouts (Gary Lowe) is a box wizard. You send a box off to Gary, and it comes back pretty much as you wish---looking like new, or looking like well cared for old.

You pays your money, and you takes your pick!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[glowe]

. . . Do you know what year the non relieved no longer were produced? . . .

My notes state the following:

K frame Targets
• Early non relieved late-1948 to 1955
• Small relief cut sharp checkering turn 1954 to 1961
• Small relief rounded checkering turn 1961 to 1965
• Larger football relief in walnut or GA 1965 to 1967
• Diamonds were eliminated around 1969.

 

[JP@AK]

I have a pic of the serial number also I may be off on the date, your help is appreciated

K308237 was probably assembled in 1957, but here are some comparable ship dates:
K304692, a K-38 Masterpiece, shipped February, 1958
K309615, a K-22 Masterpiece, shipped March, 1958
K311533, a K-22 Masterpiece, shipped January, 1958

So could either of these stocks be correct for a 1957 production K Frame Revolver?

As others have noted, those with the extractor relief would be correct for a 1957, 1958 revolver.

The diamond on K frame target stocks was ordered eliminated on December 28, 1967. It took a while to use up the diamond style that were on hand when production ceased, so they lasted at least into 1968.

 

[Retired W4]

The relief cut in photo #1 does not look factory to me. It's not exactly a common practice, but some shooters got tired of denting their non-relieved targets and modified them.

 

[gwpercle]

The only way to learn ... is to look at a lot of grips and remember what you see . Study known designs , look through catalogs and books and buy a few sets of grips ... after a while you will learn what's what and who made them . Some differences are subtle ... some stand out like sore thumbs .
Go to grip makers websites and study their designs ... look at the aftermarket grips from Thailand and other countries ...
Actually kind of a fun thing to study .
Gary