S&W 38 DA with mottled grips

[Arizona Trooper]

I have a dilemma. A 3rd model S&W 38 DA showed up at a local shop. It has a lot of problems, the single action sear is broken, the bore isn't very good and it's overall pretty tired. But......it has a set of mottled grips that look like real S&Ws, but not original to this gun. They are pretty crisp, with the usual brakeout on the bottoms by the locating pin. They want $240, which is way too much. I offered $150 and got turned down. So, should I pass this one up or go for it? Those grips sure would look good on my nickel 6" 4th model.

[St. George]

They may not be a close fit on your existing piece.

Wait awhile - the mechanical and cosmetic problems aren't going to see this flying out the door anytime soon.

Scouts Out!

[rdstrain49]

Troop, have you checked with Jack First?  They have lots of parts including grips for old Smith's

[Blair]

A T,

You call this a S&W .38 DA.
Is this a 38WCF or a 38 S&W DA revolver? The difference is in the Large frame and Small frame size revolvers.
My best,
Blair

[Arizona Trooper]

Blair, it a small frame 38, like a Lemon Squeezer but with a hammer. There is a large frame S&W single action at the same shop that I wish I could afford! It's a New Model #3 Target in 38-44. Absolutely gorgeous! 

Are you going to shoot at Brannen's Denhamville N-SSA Skirmish this weekend?

redstrain49, I'll keep Jack First in mind. If they come off the price, it is fixable.

[Blair]

A T,

The $240.00 they are asking is somewhat high dollar for a fully functional .38 S&W DA small frame revolver.
Of course there are some variables that could/maybe involved, depending on the specifics of this revolver.

Your counter offer of $150.00, for a non-fully-functioning firearm, was well within reason.
Just my opinion.
My best,
Blair

[Pancho Peacemaker]

In good condition (unchipped), the red mottled No. 2 frame grips will sell $150 to $200. 

(I've personally seen 2 pair sell at that price in the past year).

[Books OToole]

In good condition (unchipped), the red mottled No. 2 frame grips will sell $150 to $200. 

(I've personally seen 2 pair sell at that price in the past year).

Be careful, there are reproductions out there.

Books

[Blair]

A T,

I would have liked to have gone to Denhamville, but that is a long dive to just watch. I would have enjoyed meeting up with old friends again.

I too like the red mottled hard rubber grips. As Books suggest, you need to be careful.
S&W starts using (mostly black) hard rubber grips pretty much as a standard in about 1877. Before that, walnut mostly for the large frame and Rosewood on the smaller frame hand guns like the#1, #1 1/2 and #2. (variations of course maybe encountered)
My .38 S&W Baby Russian model 2 SA has black hard rubber grips that have turned somewhat brown with age, it was made in 1878/9.
My very early New Model #3 S&W in .44 Russian was made in 1877/8 and still has the original walnut grips.
My best,
Blair

[ammodave]

I'm not proud.  Where can you buy the reproduction mottled grips?

[WV Scrounger]

I'm not proud either....I have never seen any offering repro mottled grips.

[Blair]

I really wish I could answer that question!

I went to "Vintage Gun Grips INC" in Casselberry, FL. (north of Orlando) to see what they could do.
These folks are using a hard rubber to make their grips Really worth checking out at, www.vintagegungrips.net
They say they can't do either the red and black mottled (or white and black mottled grips).
The closest they had was a milk chocolate brown color. They (the new owners) had never been able to get the mottled coloration to work. (the old owners did) I don't know why it isn't working now?
My best,
Blair

[Books OToole]

I think NC Ordinance used to make them.  Smith & Wesson may have not been happy about that.  They no longed list them in their catalog.  But they are floating around out there.

Books