S&W or Repros Smooth Targets ?

[Vettepartz]

I have this set of K-Frame stocks which I cannot identify their maker. On the inside is a faint ink-stamp of the date "JUN 26 1986". Another collector told me that S&W ink-stamped their stocks that were made for their sales store, and not sold on a handgun. No way to verify that. These could also have been made by someone other than S&W. Any ideas?

 

[Vtgw938]

Those are factory S&W stocks. Toward the end of the factory stock making, they deleted the stock circle inserts (washers).

 

[murphydog]

They appear factory and I have seen plenty of new revolvers of that era with the ink stamped date. As smooth stocks, however, they may have been factory but sold at retail.

 

[Vettepartz]

Thanks for that information, guys. I forgot to ask; any idea what type of wood they are? They're pretty dark.

 

[Doc44]

The stocks appear to be made of Goncalo alves.

Bill

 

[chief38]

I have this set of K-Frame stocks which I cannot identify their maker. On the inside is a faint ink-stamp of the date "JUN 26 1986". Another collector told me that S&W ink-stamped their stocks that were made for their sales store, and not sold on a handgun. No way to verify that. These could also have been made by someone other than S&W. Any ideas?

That is simply not an accurate statement. I purchased a brand new L Frame M586 back in 1983 and the original target stocks which are still on the gun, do not have a serial number on them. They do however have a date stamped on one panel in black ink. That was the first time I have seen that but since I bought this revolver brand new in the box from a well know gun store, I know they are 100% original and legit. BTW, I do have at least one S&W revolver that I can think of that has the serial number hand written on a grip panel in pencil.

 

[stansdds]

I think they are genuine S&W stocks, but the smooth target style was usually sold in a cardboard backed blister pack for aftermarket sales.

 

[StrawHat]

Those are factory S&W stocks. Toward the end of the factory stock making, they deleted the stock circle inserts (washers).

I was not aware S&W did away with the stock circles.So, those are stocks made at the factory prior to the closing of the wood shop. Interesting. To me, the lack of stock circles would normally have screamed “aftermarket vendor”.

I like learning new things.

Kevin

 

[jeffrefrig]

"I like learning new things." (StrawHat)

For some reason, other than ignorance, I wondered the same about a 10-8 I bought used in 1998. It came with the same stocks, only checkered not smooth. The book put the 10-8 manufactured in 1988. They had a date stamped like in the OP, no black washers, and I'm pretty sure (not positive) there were some numbers on one written in pencil but it was illegible to me. I didn't like them in my hand so I bought rubber stocks, which went with the gun when I traded it off. They reside now on my M&P 38 that lettered to 1949 for my grandson. The Magnas were too small for his long fingers. (Of course, since he's only 16 now the gun is with all its friends downstairs.) He loves them. I appreciate the post, also.
I like the way smooth stocks, as the ones posted, bring out the wood grain. But to me they seem too slippery in my sweaty hands in the summer.