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Pre-28 highway patrolman grips

tone59tone59 Member Posts: 670 ✭✭
edited May 2014 in Ask the Experts
S&W dates my pre-28 highway patrolman at 1955.(SER# S133xxx).
It lacks the original grips.
Can someone please post a pic of the factory correct walnut target diamond grips for a pre-28?
I know what the magna style grips from the era look like.
My 29 no dash(1958) has the original grips.
They are walnut with diamonds and have a larger area of checkering than seen on most smith target grips.I think these are sometimes referred to as cokes.
Would these be the factory original type of target grips for the pre-28?
Or would the ones similar to the very common rosewood type(except made of walnut with diamonds)be factory correct?
The only pics Ive seen are of the magna style.
Seems most(not all)came that way.

Sorry for being so wordy.
Cant post pics at this time.

Thank You...been trying to figure this one out for a while.

Comments

  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,649 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I bought a new 4" Highway Patrolman, when I got out of the service in the early 60's.

    The grips were similar to the ones in this photo. I specifically remember, because I had to add a Tyler "T" grip adaptor. It made for a much better and secure hold, when shooting hot .357's.



    sw-highway-patrolman-right.jpg
  • tone59tone59 Member Posts: 670 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    thank you rufe-snow.
    your pic shows the magna grips.
    the blue book states pre-28s may have also came with walnut target grips with diamonds at the screw holes.
    I have not seen anything but the magna style shown in your pick on a pre-28.
    I guess there were not many with the targets from the factory.
    seems guys would prefer the larger grips on an N-frame.
  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,649 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by tone59
    thank you rufe-snow.
    your pic shows the magna grips.
    the blue book states pre-28s may have also came with walnut target grips with diamonds at the screw holes.
    I have not seen anything but the magna style shown in your pick on a pre-28.
    I guess there were not many with the targets from the factory.
    seems guys would prefer the larger grips on an N-frame.



    The Highway Patrolman was the plain vanilla version of the .357 mag. I doubt very seriously that Smith would ship any HP's with target grips. Unless they were specifically ordered as a option, and payed extra for.
  • tone59tone59 Member Posts: 670 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    rufe-snow I understand your logic but...
    Blue Book of Gun Values thirty-first edition.On page 1702.
    The Highway Patrolman pre-model 28.
    Introduced april 1954,built on the square butt N target 5 screw frame,a utility version of the pre-27.
    Magna style or target walnut grips with SW medallions and diamond around the screw escutcheon.

    As you stated its doubtful the utility model highway patrolman would have came with really nice grips.
    That is why I don't think the nice target walnut grips on my 4-screw 29 no dash are the type correct to the pre-28.
    Would be kinda like putting lipstick on a pig.
    Maybe the book is wrong.
    Either that,or a small number came with the target style.
    In 3 years of looking I have yet to see one.
  • tone59tone59 Member Posts: 670 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    rufe-snow...
    you are correct.
    a friend loaned me a book on SW revolvers.
    the target grips were an option which had to be ordered at an extra cost.
    in fact it was the only option offered on the pre-28s.
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