It just sure seems like a LOT of shops over the years ( back then) put brass frames on a bunch of guns for no other reason, than to move them??? OR by chance ,did Elmer Keith get that many folks back then to 'spring' for LARGE grips on "short" guns????
I could "see/ understand" shops putting different grips on guns to "make the sale" but to change out the enitire frame, and have to get other 'grips, as the "parts" didn't come with a set of grips, seems like a LOT of work for little money back then,as the brass frames "set" was $8.50 and the grips were???how much?? hhmmm.............
MOST gun shops we knew of back then could not and would NOT be 'bothered', I think the factory put on more than they're letting on .
either 'new, point of sale, or return for service work, install frames.....hell, where are all of the old model frames that were 'left over' at any given shop.
Oh well glad we don't "collect" these, that would drive me crazy, as well as 'broke'........ :roll: