1952 The Birth of S&W Target grips
Not sure if the target grips are original to the gun, they look about as old as the revolver!
Hello
I have heard S&W Serial numbered VERY FEW Target grips that left the factory, since they have been first offered from S&W around 1952. If we are speaking of the smaller magna checkered or smooth service grips, Yes, You will find some with the serial number of the gun stamped into the right grip panel and this was seen from the Mid 30''s to sometime in the Late 60's and later changed to a green dot on Both Panels, and I am not certain when this changed to the standard green dot, but S&W had a standard size frame established by the Late 60's so serial number's were not needed to get the frame and grip's that they were fitted for back together. The very Early Magnas from 1910 to the Early 30's had the serial number's hand Penciled on right grip panel as well, and this was done to make certain the same frame and grips got back together through final production before being shipped, to insure a Good fit as the Multi fit frames had not been established yet, and most grips needed to be fitted as some frames actually varied in size dimensions. I have asked Mr Jinks this very question about Target Grip's, and his reply being that Most Target grip's were added on at the factory with a customer's request, or at a later time after they left the factory. Only way to be sure is letter the revolver in question. My 1958 model 18 K-22 HAS The original factory unmolested target grip's on it, as the owner told me he bought it new, and they were on it when it came from S&W in 1958. From what I have heard the FEW Target grip's that S&W did stamp serial number's into were mostly done to more elaborate higher priced custom ordered revolves like the model 29's and the Registered magnums along with Very few Pre-27's that came after them.I have read, that a Mr. Ed Mcgivern had special Target grip's and they were numbered along with the Optional Walter Roper Target grips on some of his, but we must remember his were special ordered revolver's not simple production guns. The grip's shown are 1958 Vintage, and as I said you see they are not numbered in any way. I do Know that in the Mid 70's S&W used a rubber date stamp to Date their target grip's, but again, these were pulled from assembly part's bin's so they may not match the revolver as far as when it was made or shipped, as they were selcted by Random and not for any special or purpose application. Another thing that comes up often, is the use of washers that holds the factory S&W medallions in place. The early ones had The S&W name and trademark stamped into them. Then they changed to the Black style shown. After this the washers were changed to the modern silver style, and eventually NO washers were used on the Last series of Factory target grips, instead they simply pushed the medallion stud though, and placed a dab of silicone on it to hold it in place.If we look close at the Early checkering mainly Prewar era, that was a very fine line done at about 21-23 Lines per inch, hand done. as time went on, Machines were used, and the checkering lines broadened and became less, making the checkering very course as well, ending up at about 12-14 Lines per inch and machine done. I hope this helps Hammerdown.
