Removing Colt medallions from S&W stocks....

[M1Garandy]

I have a set of walnut Eagle Grips that are N frame RB to SB conversions that have Colt medallions in them. Don't ask me why, I got them this way and they were cheap.

My issue now is how to remove them? I can see the squeezed out glue on the back side and it is grey so I'm thinking it is epoxy.

My second problem is what to do when I get them out? S&W medallions are a much smaller diameter than the Colts.

I put this post here because they are bound for a M625 but feel free to move this to the Gunsmithing forum if that is a better fit.

 

[Jdavis]

This is a rather unusual situation. After removal of the Colt medallions you will need to plug the holes with wood similar to the grip. Once you have the desired wood in the proper thickness, select a plug cutter (available at most wood workers supply stores) the same size as the hole. Using a good wood glue to apply to the plug sides, insert into the hole. It may be necessary to tap it in leaving it slightly proud of the grip surface. Sand it flush with the side of the grip avoiding damage to the finish if possible. After allowing time to dry thoroughly, select a Forstner bit as close to the S&W medallion as possible (7/16"?). Insert the bit in the drill press and drill a trial hole in scrap wood. Check for fit of the medallion. If it fits snugly, you are good. If not, select another bit. Once proper fit is obtained install the medallion and secure. Finish wood as required.
Not so simple but, with effort it can be done.

 

[VM]

Early, PRE war S&W stocks had a half inch diameter medallion. The flat silver style are expensive ($60 - $100). There is a gold dished style that has a rim - they can be found in junker sets of K and N frame stocks pretty cheap. I see them on eBay all the time
Maybe this will help - good luck

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Each to his own. I would just leave them there, and see who spots them.

Maybe twenty years ago, I used to carry my targets and ears and such in a bag that my ex-brother-in-law gave me, because it was just the right size for the targets. It was a bag that an ophthalmic surgery outfit gave to their patients to put their belongings in when they went in for surgery. I thought it cute that I was shooting fairly well, with iron sights, even though I was apparently a refugee from ophthalmic surgery. For a year or two nobody noticed it, until finally a retired policeman noticed it and smiled. I think that cops tend to look for and notice anomalous details. It's probably a fairly big part of what they do for a living.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I am so picky, I doubt I would have ever bought them in the first place. I am not a woodworker, so I would have not been able to replace the medallions, and I would have never, for OC reasons, been able to tolerate a "Colt" medallion on an S&W handgun.

 

[CWH44300]

I am so picky, I doubt I would have ever bought them in the first place. I am not a woodworker, so I would have not been able to replace the medallions, and I would have never, for OC reasons, been able to tolerate a "Colt" medallion on an S&W handgun.

I'm going to lose sleep just reading about it.

 

[M1Garandy]

I am so picky, I doubt I would have ever bought them in the first place. I am not a woodworker, so I would have not been able to replace the medallions, and I would have never, for OC reasons, been able to tolerate a "Colt" medallion on an S&W handgun.

The guy I got them from speculated they were from a Smolt.

I've never used them as seeing Colt stocks on another make of gun doesn't seem right.

 

[M1Garandy]

I'm going to lose sleep just reading about it.

No sleep loss required, the offending medallions have been removed!

A couple of light taps to the back of each with a punch they came right out without damage to anything. Now to fill the holes with something more fitting...

 

[M1Garandy]

Early, PRE war S&W stocks had a half inch diameter medallion. The flat silver style are expensive ($60 - $100). There is a gold dished style that has a rim - they can be found in junker sets of K and N frame stocks pretty cheap. I see them on eBay all the time
Maybe this will help - good luck

The "gold dished style" sound like just the ticket as the Colt medallions that I just removed mic out at .500" +/- a couple of thou.

Might you have a picture of the medallions in question?

 

[bamabiker]

Take a look at this thread, post #7 by Mike Priwer. The 4th picture down and the gun on the bottom. It's upside down in the pic but you can see the medallions.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/325630-show-tell-favorites-why.html

 

[M1Garandy]

Thanks. Now to place a WTB add.

 

[VM]

M1Garandy

Here's a robbed picture from a Forum Friend.
I customized these 70's stocks with the 100 year old deep dish medallions that I refered to:

__________________

 

[M1Garandy]

Here's a robbed picture from a Forum Friend. I customized these 70's stocks with the 100 year old deep dish medallions that I refered to:

That is a fine looking piece.

 

[M1Garandy]

I know I started this project over three years ago, but I'm almost done.

One set of pre-war brass medallion stocks that were too nice to break up, one pair of misidentified stocks that were the wrong size medallions and one pair of pre-war Magnas that are out being restored later, I finally got a pair of loose 1/2" silver medallions (thanks Kris) for this project.

The question is this, the Colt medallions I removed were thinner than the S&W medallions I'm going to replace them with. How the heck to I remove at least some of the old grey epoxy without ruining the existing finish on the stocks or using a mechanical means that tears up the holes?

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Tom S.]

The guy I got them from speculated they were from a Smolt.

I've never used them as seeing Colt stocks on another make of gun doesn't seem right.

That would be my guess. A lot of Colt barrels were grafted onto Smith & Wesson frames. Some thought it brought out the best of both guns. I wasn't among them.