While I don't carry a revolver for defensive purposes anymore, I do appreciate the design aspects of their older technology. I went through LE training back in the 1970's when revolvers were the "norm" among cops. Then as now, owners could personalize these guns with aesthetically pleasing grips that also served the purpose of enhancing accuracy by better fitting the hand of the shooter. I recently started watching reruns of the 1968 Season of "Adam 12" on IMDb TV. Pretty interesting seeing quite realistic portrayals of LAPD cops and their gear. At the time, speedloaders weren't common or even issued. Check out this pic showing the late Martin Milner ("Pete Malloy") with the Cloris Leachman (who passed away at 94 just last year). While his partner is carrying a S&W Model 14 6" with factory "Magna" grips, "Malloy" has custom stocks by Fuzzy Farrant (himself an LAPD officer) which you can see here.



It's sad, but many of the older custom stock makers are either passing away or closing shop. After a wait of over two years, I was fortunate enough to get "the call" a few months ago from Craig Spegel on an order I'd made. Here's the high grade "Boot Grips" installed on my S&W Model 66-3 and 640-1 .357 revolvers. I'm grateful that Craig is still around and operating his one man shop. Like the gunsmiths that specialized in revolers, he's quite an artist.

Herret's is still out there, too.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
Herret's is still out there, too.

A year or so ago, it looked like they were going to close shop, but fortunately they found a buyer and opened up a new facility!!!

Over the years I have owned two sets of Spegel Cocobolo Boot Grips. Great grips, both are long gone. I have thought about ordering a set for my current J frame, but the wait time...

Pulicords - those grips look great!

Is that an XS dot on the J frame? Did you install it yourself? I gather you have to drill the sight to fit them. That part worries me, I would hate to bugger up the frame drilling badly. I don’t have a drill press so I’m wondering with a steady had you can do this with a hand drill.

Beautiful grips on excellent revolvers. While not as concealable as a Glock 43 they still have a place in both self defense and woods carry.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
Is that an XS dot on the J frame? Did you install it yourself? I gather you have to drill the sight to fit them. That part worries me, I would hate to bugger up the frame drilling badly. I don’t have a drill press so I’m wondering with a steady had you can do this with a hand drill.

It is an XS (tritium) front sight and although I don't recall who did the install, it wasn't a big deal as the S&W Model 640-1 uses an OEM pinned front sight blade. Very simple switch.

I really liked the Ahrends custom grips but sadly no longer being made.

I collect S&W post-war revolvers. Over the years accumulating them I have "dressed-up" many of them with custom stocks (S&W purists prefer stocks to grips - beats me why). Of those smiths 28 of them have custom stocks that break down this way:
Fuzzy Farrant/John Hurst - 9
Keith Brown - 3
Craig Spegel - 2
Curtis Harlow - 3
John Culina - 3
Ken Driskill - 7

Since John Hurst was Fuzzy's mentor it is difficult to attribute stocks to one or the other, so I just give those stocks dual attribution.

Keith Brown is a contemporary stock maker and considered the master by many. Unfortunately he is no longer taking orders. His stocks occasionally become available in the secondary market or through a broker.

Craig Spegel is also a Master Craftsman and is still currently making stocks. However, his waiting list for revolver stocks is currently three years long. I am somewhere on that list.

Curtis Harlow - A new, up-and-coming stock maker from the Pacific Northwest. The examples of his work that I own rival any of the masters mentioned here. Fair prices (not cheap) and reasonable wait times (at least they were - not sure of the current status).

John Culina - Another Master Craftsman that does beautiful work. He and his wife run their business and, again - fair pricing and reasonable wait times.

Ken Driskill - Ken specializes in antler and bone stocks. I have found that his stocks fit my hands perfectly. For ken this is a hobby and he does not make stocks to order. You have to be in the right place at the right time to take advantage of his craftsmanship.

Examples:
Fuzzy Farrant / John Hurst on a S&W Model 25-14


Keith Brown's on a 38-44 HD converted by Kings Gun Works for target use (Roper pattern checkering)


Craig Spegel extended boot grips on a Model 29-5 Classic


Curtis Harlow stocks on a S&W 617-5 - Roper pattern checkering


Culina smooth target stocks on a S&W 24-3


Ken Driskill Elk Stags on a S&W 25-9


I like collecting the stocks as much as I do the guns.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Beautiful Spegel's you have there, Pulicords! The character of that wood is just fantastic,and the contour is just how I like them. I'm a big fan of the boot grip...I find them to be very shootable yet easy to carry and conceal. I'll admit that I've been tempted to order a set of Spegel's, but the price and wait time have held me back. I probably ought to just do it, as like you said, there aren't many operations left out there doing this kind of work, and the quality speaks for itself!

Love these pics / posts here.

I regret having not placed an order with the late Tedd Adamovich of Blu-Magnum Grips. He was crafting the famed Skeeter Skelton design grips formerly made by the late Deacon Deason / Bear Hug Grips, as well as other designs. I was torn between the Skeeters and a Clint Smith design that Mr. Adamovich offered; alas, I waited too long.

A S&W model 60 with John Hurst grips.

I've got a set of Fuzzy Farrant stocks (Ebony) on my factory 3" barreled, Colt Python. Looking back to the mid-1980's, I wish I'd taken the opportunity to buy some others when I saw them offered at King's Gun Works in Glendale (CA).



Being a fan of Sketter Skelton, how could I not order a set of his favorite "Bear Hug" stocks from Deacon Deason and dress up my S&W Model 24-3 with them?

jhe888: Another one of the reasons I was relieved to learn that Herrett's wasn't closing up shop was the fact that while several custom shops will make "Roper" style stocks for S&W revolvers, Herrett's will also make them for Colt revolvers. Here's one of two Diamondbacks that I dressed up with high grade "Roper" style stocks from Herrett's:

Awesome thread. Love to see all these old school grips.

I had a set of stags and a BK Grips adapter (very similar to the famed Tyler T-Grip) on this 3-1/2” S&W Model 27-2. I admit, I went back to the Pachmayrs that work so well for me on this gun, but this setup sure looked good.

quote:

Originally posted by TheFrontRange:
I had a set of stags and a BK Grips adapter (very similar to the famed Tyler T-Grip) on this 3-1/2” S&W Model 27-2. I admit, I went back to the Pachmayrs that work so well for me on this gun, but this setup sure looked good.

Beautiful set up!!! Those stags look great and the T-Grip makes is practical!!!

^^ Thank you @pulicords!

<a href="https://photobucket.com/u/buble77/p/fc2a32ee-b7c4-4f65-a54b-6363e85a189d?mode=zoom" target="_blank"><img src="https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/ee427/buble77/IMG_0085.JPG?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds" border="0" alt="IMG_0085"/></a>

My Uncle's model 60 and the "Genuine" model RCR Herritt's stocks he purchased 13 Dec 1975 for his new gun. Price $18.50.