yes, good info above, there are "flatops" and there are other, newer "flatops" then there is "original,' versus reblued, ,condition IS everything, as well as for the grips, there are 'stags" ( real and even fake) then there are original factory stags, and there in lies the rub, one must do their homework, KNOW what they are actually looking at pricing and trying to put a REAL value on...........you will not be the first one to possibly get "screwed" ,taken for a ride or pay the piper, NOR the first one to stumble on an original, and get a a DEAL ( steal)...yes, I had one guy come to me like that, guy brought over a 357 flatop looking to buy an "original " pair of wood ( walnut ) grips, to replace the "plastic" grips on the gun, as he wanted to take it to his table at the show and sell it....I was in the company of our 'late; friend Bob Campbell, rest his soul, and Bob sat back ,watching, as I looked for some grips, and one of us made the comment, "what are you going to sell or ask for it"??? he said $575, so I said why not I just give you that for it so you do NOT have to pay for another set of grips???? he said " awesome, done deal" and walked away a happy camper, two other dealers happened to be walking by, and asked Bob and I, if those were ivory grips on that 357 mag., #17,xxx serial number 'flatop', said we had to remove them ,look them over, and really decide...needless to say Bob gave me the whole $575 for JUST the gun,, as he had a pair hard rubber grips for it at home and smiled, he still got a "deal", as I kept and gave my wife, a pair of mint factory ivory grips........"free" 8) :wink:
so if you snooze, you may lose, BUT if you do NOT know for certain, do not second guess yourself, if it is ( was) meant to be, it would have happened......... :roll: