Question on older S&W factory grips - 1970s era

[emc]

I recently purchased a S&W M29-2 in bright nickel, with 4 inch barrel. The factory informs me that this was made in 1972.

The revolver came with white (ivory colored) plastic grips with the S&W medallion. I've not seen these before (I'm not a collector or any sort of expert regarding Smith revolvers), and the customer service rep at S&W (nice guy, by the way) mentioned that these were not common. He went on to say that a tremendous range of options were available for their revolvers during that time, and that it might have been an example of that customization at the time that the revolver was originally ordered.

Anyone have any info on these grips? I'm not expecting anything special, but not having seen this type before, I am curious.

Thanks!

emc

 

[dinosaur]

Try www.smith-wessonforum.com/ for your answer. Lots of expert advice.

 

[Majic]

You can purchase just about any grip/stock and have the medalions embedded. So that is one option. Also when S&W went thru that Gun-of-the-Week program they came up with all kinds of little changes on many of the firearms they made so just about anything is possible.

 

[thatguy]

My first impression is that these are not factory original grips. S&W wasn't big on using plastic grips on their revolvers and I would bet they are aftermarket replacements. Many companies offer replacement grips in a variety of styles and material swith and without the factory emblems installed.

 

[Jim K]

Just one small thought. Are you sure the grips are plastic? S&W offered real ivory grips at one time as an option.

Jim

 

[emc]

Interesting question, Jim! I was assuming that they were plastic for two reasons -

1. They are snow white, and I thought that ivory would be more of a creamy white.

2. It's been a while since I've seen ivory, but I recall that there is a slight "grain" to it, and these show nothing like that. They are perfectly smooth.

Let me know if I need some "corrective" education on this.

Thanks,

emc


P.S. Thanks to dinosaur for the S&W Forum suggestion. I'll definitely do that.

 

[dfariswheel]

An old test for ivory grips is to press a red-hot needle into a inconspicuous area on the inside of the grip.

If it melts out a tiny hole, it's a plastic.
If it burns with a bad smelling stench, it's real ivory.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Grips

Take a look on the inside of them as I am curious if they have signs of plastic injection on the inside and if my Fitz Pistol Grip Co. 1919-1979 made them.

Fitz