Stock condition

[Dennis S]

I saw this 1952 357 magnum for sale with the pictured stock on it. The stock has been cut numerous times where it looks like someone tried to fix up the checkering and extended to the solid part of the stock. The gun is beautiful which makes me think the stocks should not have needed any work.

I also have a very nice 1947 M&P that exhibits the same thing only to a lesser degree.

My question is do you think these could have left the factory looking like this or is this probably the work of a person who isn't too good.

Thanks.

Dennis

 

[VM]

Dennis - IMO, they could have left the Factory that way. I do not do checkering but I've seen others that are similar.
Is the other grip panel the same .........and, do the grips number to the gun?

 

[Dennis S]

The grips number to the gun and the other panel looks fine.

 

[fat tom]

Looks like something as simple as drinkin' on the job.
f.t.

 

[cgt4570]

Having recut a bunch of worn checkering, it doesn't look like those have been re-cut. My vote is that it left the factory that way. I don't know what kind of jig they were using at the time (I'm sure it wasn't the simple hand tools I use which require extreme care not to overcut). There was probably some kind of stop template. Maybe the template shifted?

 

[Alk8944]

That is very commonly seen on S&W stocks. The checkering was meant to be functional, not custom work.