Red mottled stocks

[NewDeparture]

I visited a friend of mine a couple of days back in order to get a pair of spare grips for a .32 HE.

He went to his machine shop and came back with a box full of different stocks.

I selected the one I wanted, but two of them caught my attention so I asked him to take a few pics.

One is a pristine set of red mottled stocks that -IIRC- he took out from a Baby Russian long time ago in order to preserve them.

The other set seems to be from a 1 1/2 Model, although I´m not quite sure. Is in excellent condition as well.

Just wanting to share a few pics of these beauties (sorry about pic quality )

This is the first set of red mottled stocks I´ve seen.

ND

 

[DocB]

Yeah, they are hard to find. One might call them rare. I have a pair just like them, but can't find the gun they fit. They must be from the 1880's and fit a Smith that is missing from my collection. They are really small.

 

[opoefc]

Small red mottled stocks , if they are S&Ws, are usually from a .32 DA. Other gun makers also produced mottled stocks, mostly in red, but some in blue, green & yellow are known. Ed.

 

[OFT II]

It seems that I see more on blued guns than I do on those with a nickel finish for some reason.

 

[glowe]

. . . They must be from the 1880's and fit a Smith that is missing from my collection. They are really small.

I have been meaning to do this for some time, so decided to get out some guns and do a photo comparison of vintage hard rubber stocks. The oddity is the 32 SA and they have a distinctive shape. They only fit the 32 Single Action, but there were three different logos in the top of the stock over production time-frame.

The 38 SA also had different designs of the top round. Until Young came up with the intertwined S&W logo, there was a style with block S&W letters. The introduction of the logo that is still used today was 1879, so all stocks for the 1st Model a some of the early 2nd Model had the early stock design.

As for sizes, I have set up all hard rubber stocks from late 1870s to the K frame for comparison. The following butt-frames were grouped by size and order in pictures:

- 32 Double Action (R) - 22 Ladysmith (M) stocks measure 2.3" high
- 32 Safety (G) - 2.42" high
- 38 SA (S);38 DA (D); 38 Safety (Y); 38 Perfected (P); 32 HE (I) stocks measure 2.49"
- M&P frame (K) round butt revolver stocks measure 3.0"

These measurements are taken from placing the bottom of the stock on a level surface and measuring vertically to the top.

 

[H Richard]

Gary, this one needs to be up in "Expert Commentary" area. Great information.

Roy told me some time back that the Red mottled ones(and other non-black) grips were normally on the blued guns, and black on the nickle guns.

I can offer one picture of the red on a blue Single Action.

 

[Honeydofarm]

Red mottled grips for 320 revolving rifle

Gentlemen
I need a pair of red mottled grips/stocks for a 320 revolving rifle. My fore stock on the barrel is in great condition. Are there any other model of S&W stocks that would fit? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Warren
My email is [email protected]

 

[glowe]

I believe the 320 RR stocks are basically the same size as the Model 3 revolvers, which would be the New Model 3 and the 44 Double Action. Problem is, I have never seen either of these models with red mottled stocks. Black hard rubber would fit the RR, but would not be correct.

 

[DocB]

Now I know what these fit. Of course, I don't have the gun. . .as usual. They are 2.3 inches high and will fit the 32 DA or Ladysmith according to Gary. They are absolutely perfect in all regards including the screw. Here's a picture for future reference since nobody seems to have a lot of these things. Got them on EBAY a little over a year ago for next to nothing. Another gun in the making. . .just no gun.

 

[glowe]

Now I know what these fit. Of course, I don't have the gun. . .as usual. They are 2.3 inches high and will fit the 32 DA or Ladysmith according to Gary . . .

I wish someone would come up with a definitive date range for the mottled stocks made by the factory. I recall finding them on 1870s guns, but never found a set on post 1900 guns. Chances are that your set would have been on an 1880s 32 DA. I have a nice 6" 32 DA that those stocks would look great on, so if you don't find the right gun, I would be happy with you donating them for a good cause!!

 

[DocB]

I've always heard very early to mid 1880's; but, you know the information you pick up is usually worth what you paid for it, so who knows.

 

[Salox]

Gentlemen
I need a pair of red mottled grips/stocks for a 320 revolving rifle. My fore stock on the barrel is in great condition. Are there any other model of S&W stocks that would fit? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Warren
My email is [email protected]

Email sent. I hope the information helps!

 

[JSR III]

Gary, what great photographs. That should definitely be made into a poster.

 

[glowe]

If I can remember how to post another Commentary, I will write up a quick dissertation on vintage S&W rubber stocks.

 

[glowe]

Finally remembered how to add a Commentary on the Stock Size dilemma. I was able to do it with the help of one of our moderators, s&wchad. He was a great help.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/blog.php?b=111

 

[gmborkovic]

The above Blog will not open, says invalid?

 

[glowe]

The above Blog will not open, says invalid?

Give it another try Mike. I forgot to publish and left it as a draft.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hey Gary, works like a champ. Thanks, Mike

 

[Panxan49]

Glowe, Excellent post to show grip comparison. I've been trying to ID what appear to be K sized, but was thrown by the right grip being dated on bottom PAT'D JAN.29 78. Would this be a typical marking for these grips? Unable to see in your post. I posted a ask the experts ? on GB forum and was referred to your post. Became a member!! Thanks again

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. Check this link and look for this link to the commentary on stocks. http://smith-wessonforum.com/blog.php?b=111

The K frame stocks are the same size as post 1876 New Model 3 revolvers. The K frame, or Military & Police revolver was not introduced until 1899. The difference between the 2 sets is the K frame stocks are rounded on the lower front corner, while the Model 3 is quite square.

I just found the other thread on this subject. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/499630-help-identifying-old-s-w-revolver-grips.html Some say the Model 1899 (k frame) had the sharp corner, but all of my 1899s are rounded. The stocks on GunBroker are rounded, so they are for a K frame revolver.