Ugly Pistol, But The Grips !!!
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handejector
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They are Factory grips. The long barrel is uncommon.
That aint ugly, just dirty. I noticed some rust on the top, right side.
If you take the grips off. be really careful. Those grips appear to be perfect.
Which is uncommon. And the long barrel. I like it.
If you take the grips off. be really careful. Those grips appear to be perfect.
Which is uncommon. And the long barrel. I like it.
OP
Rikkn
US Veteran
I tried gently to remove the grips, they will not just pop off !!! Wasn't about to force them. Any ideas on how to loosen them up ?
handejector
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They usually come off easily. Pearl grips cannot be made to fit tight like wood or black hard rubber. They have to have clearance so they don't chip. If they are stuck, it is probably from dried oil. It could also be rust.
Loosen the screw completely. Using the screwdriver held near the tip, push GENTLY on the screw and see if the opposite grip moves any.
Loosen the screw completely. Using the screwdriver held near the tip, push GENTLY on the screw and see if the opposite grip moves any.
OP
Rikkn
US Veteran
I'll give it a shot tomorrow. Is this worth a few hundred bucks ?
If you got the screw out without spinning the cup or nut you are ahead of the game. There are a lot of ways. Just dont go using a screw driver to pry. A little tap on the frame with a wooden hammer may loosen the grips. Just be patient. And dont push on the head of the screw. You may just pop the nut on the right out of the grip.
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Rikkn
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Very nice !!
mmaher94087
Member
Be very careful with Pearl grips as they crack or chip super easily. An Exacto blade between the frame and pearls may help loosen them but be very gentle. There is a pin in the bottom middle of the frame which if not treated delicately will make the pearl stock chip. Patience is your friend. I have taken up to one-half hour to remove pearls that were stuck to the frame.
Pearl stocks often contain embedded salts which can corrode the frame over time which is another possibility for them sticking to the frame. I find that tapping on the screw sometimes pops out the escutcheon in the stock, so I use a single edged razor blade, push it in between the stock and the frame on the very bottom of the frame. Once inserted, tap with a screwdriver handle and the stock should loosen easily. If not, move the blade to the lower front corner and repeat.
Smith & Wesson offered pearl stocks dating back well into the 1800s. They were made to the same thickness of the factory wood or hard rubber stocks. Distributors found that they could buy or make thinner pearls and place them on revolvers. It is very likely that the customers did not know, so many complaints about poor fitting thin pearls came back to the factory. They also placed labels inside their boxes to alert the customers to only buy medallion pearls. S&W started installing their trademarked medallions in pearl and ivory stocks around 1898. The factory stopped making pearl stocks in the teens and then worked off inventory until the early 1920s for some models. It is also known that pearls were reintroduced for a very short time in the 1930s, but S&W stated they could no longer rely on obtaining quality mother-of-pearl for stocks, so ceased production.
The revolver is not in great shape. Without the pearls, the gun might be worth $250- $300. The stocks by themselves could be in same price range.
Smith & Wesson offered pearl stocks dating back well into the 1800s. They were made to the same thickness of the factory wood or hard rubber stocks. Distributors found that they could buy or make thinner pearls and place them on revolvers. It is very likely that the customers did not know, so many complaints about poor fitting thin pearls came back to the factory. They also placed labels inside their boxes to alert the customers to only buy medallion pearls. S&W started installing their trademarked medallions in pearl and ivory stocks around 1898. The factory stopped making pearl stocks in the teens and then worked off inventory until the early 1920s for some models. It is also known that pearls were reintroduced for a very short time in the 1930s, but S&W stated they could no longer rely on obtaining quality mother-of-pearl for stocks, so ceased production.
The revolver is not in great shape. Without the pearls, the gun might be worth $250- $300. The stocks by themselves could be in same price range.
ol777gunnerz
Member
info
If you get the grips off, then you can clean the gun with Flitz, it works really well to remove the rust & blend the finish for a much improved appearance.
If you get the grips off, then you can clean the gun with Flitz, it works really well to remove the rust & blend the finish for a much improved appearance.
Gary, when you get MOPs removed, what do you use to clean the rust off the back of the grips?
The same razor blade I use to remove the stocks. You can then wipe the area with CLR to clean up the stain.
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