Target stocks on a 36-1 ?

[Matt_X]

This model 36-1 square butt came with Target stocks. The serial number is J306xxx so maybe 1975?
Is it possible to guess what these stocks might have originally come with?
Its was not clear whether they were with this 36-1 when the gunshop aquired it or the shop put them on. They are not original to the gun. There is a faint partial number stamp that was machined away and the hand written numbers that are visible.

 

[Model19man]

Those stocks look very similar to the ones on my Model 35-1.

 

[murphydog]

It is hard to tell from photo 3, but these stocks with the blued discs are from the mid-late 1970s, and with silver (stainless?) discs from the early 1980s.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

This model 36-1.... The serial number is J306xxx so maybe 1975?

Yes, I believe that's about as close as you're going to get without a letter.

 

[Model19man]

It is hard to tell from photo 3, but these stocks with the blued discs are from the mid-late 1970s, and with silver (stainless?) discs from the early 1980s.

I think you are way off. The 35-1 production ended in 1973. The silver colored inlay is typical.

 

[Matt_X]

I'm sorry about the glare in the photos. To clarify, the inside retaining disks are not blued. The rivet is brass colored and the medallions are silver.

I have a Victory with magna grips that were put on later, and those do appear to have blued or case hardened inside disks. They have the diamond around the screw and some other characterists I thought dated them to the 1950s.

 

[murphydog]

I think you are way off. The 35-1 production ended in 1973. The silver colored inlay is typical.

See post #13 here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...rget-grips.html?highlight=frame+Target+stocks

Also see post #20. If I was wrong 4 1/2 years ago at least I am consistently wrong.

 

[Model19man]

See post #13 here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...rget-grips.html?highlight=frame+Target+stocks

Also see post #20. If I was wrong 4 1/2 years ago at least I am consistently wrong.

Looks like I misunderstood - you are talking about the retainer discs, I was talking about the emblem. Either way the target stocks likely did not come on that 36-1 originally.

 

[murphydog]

Yes, stock discs (washers) vs. medallions.

 

[Matt_X]

See post #13 here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...rget-grips.html?highlight=frame+Target+stocks

Also see post #20. If I was wrong 4 1/2 years ago at least I am consistently wrong.

That's a great thread. Thank you.


I'm comparing a stock set on ebay that has black disks with this one and there are also some minor machining differences.


I was told the gun came from the widow of possibly a retired LEO. I think what happened here is he made a personal or private purchase and changed the stocks to be more comfortable for his hands. At some point he also had tried a rubber grips.



Now I have to decide if I want to find and try out a set of Magna grips. Perhaps with a grip adapter. I'll say the target grips fit my hand pretty well.

 

[Hondo44]

Those J frame target grips didn't come standard on any models. They could be ordered as an option on any J frame but only a letter can confirm that. Almost all were added to guns by owners after they were shipped.

They were not serial numbered to the gun because they did not need fitting to the grip frame. They were first available in the early 1970s. During that period grips that were numbered to the gun by the factory were stamped, not hand written.

Yours are the earliest style with high tops. Later the tops were about 1/4" shorter at the 'knuckle' of the back strap.

 

[Model19man]

Those J frame target grips didn't come standard on any models. They could be ordered as an option on any J frame but only a letter can confirm that.

Pretty sure mine came with my Model 35 because they are numbered to the gun.

 

[Hondo44]

Since they number to your gun, but are numbered in pencil 50 years after the factory started stamping the number on the grips, it's doubtful. The gun was possibly ordered with them as an option when new. But even if the factory would have numbered them in pencil, the number was always on the right side grip, not split between both grips. Also grips were only date stamped like yours when sold separately.

Did you buy the gun new?

 

[S&W 10]

Pretty sure mine came with my Model 35 because they are numbered to the gun.

View attachment 795230

It appears your target stocks are from 1982 and if I recall correctly S&W stopped production of Model 35s in 1973.
If they're original to the revolver it would definitely be worth getting a letter on this one.

My 35-1 shipped in 1971 with the typical square butt Magnas and corresponding stamped SN.