I just bought a Registered Magnum (my grail for many years and will post photos when I have it in hand as it needs a good cleaning) and it has the original numbered Magna grips. They have a cut/crease in the left grip and otherwise show some wear. Should I have them refinished/restored or leave as is? If so, who would be best person to have do it? The photos below are from the seller and hopefully the mark will not be as pronounced in person.

Thanks,

Bill

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That gouge isn't coming out without filling and sanding. The grips look great to me, I'd take a little bit of straight tung oil on an acid brush or something bristly like that to clean out nooks and crannies and wipe the whole things down with a touch of oil to lift the surface dirt. It doesn't really look like the grips have much dirt on or in them though.

Unless they show up at your door looking like they were dipped in trichlor, I'd leave 'em alone aside from a quick clean/preserve.

Congratulations. I think you did really well on that price. I was watching that auction, wishing I had more money. That cut is pretty distinctive

I'm especially jealous of your front sight, for some reason I just love those. It's something about how silly and great that design is all at the same time.

I think that cut lends the gun character personally. The stocks are otherwise very nice for a gun that is over 70 years old.

Get in touch with DW FAN (?) He'll do a righteous restoration....
JIM.................

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SWCA # L-1911

Thanks,

I was not sure about the price, but they come up so rarely and my attempts to find one locally or to have several dealers locate one had proven fruitless.

The gun has shipped and should arrive on Monday. I will post photos after I clean it. The seller posted very detailed photos but as you could see the gun appears not to have been cleaned in many years. The seller was selling it for a widow of a local Deputy Sheriff/collector. I will clean it and letter it next week. It has a good bit of finish wear but it all appears, based on photos, to be honest wear and to have never been refinished.

The sight is a King Reflector, but I am not sure the reflector is still present, based on photos and the sight blade has either been changed or the red or gold bead is missing. Based on my limited research it should have shipped about May or June of 1937. I hope I look as good when I am 76.

Thanks,
Bill

I wouldn't do anything but a cleaning by brushing out the checkering and wiping them down with a soft cloth. Perhaps a little Renaissance Wax. They show the honest wear of the vintage well taken care of.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

DW FAN is the man.

Is it normal for a medallion to be crooked? I have never seen that.

No, that needs to be addressed. The medallion should be rotated to where the bottom tips of the W point to the screw hole as is seen on the other stock.

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SWHF #448

How do they get like this?

I've seen a few this way and for all the world they look like they came from the factory that way when I examine them.

I didn't see this RM anywhere myself. Congrats on the acquisition. The grips are worth having restored, the right way. I suppose that's obvious, but I just wanted to throw that out there.

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}-----Jim----->
~SWCA #2732~

The medallion and the washer on the backside are two separate pieces. The medallion has a post on the back that passes through the washer and the tip of which is peened to keep the medallion in place. If not fully peened and/or the countersunk hole in the wood is a bit oversize, the medallion can rotate out of place.

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SWHF #448

I'd leave them alone. That cut passes through a couple of different grain colors, so that
will be hard to get looking right. I'd just oil the area several times, and let it alone.

Mike Priwer

Yep!

He's also backed up 10 months so he's not taking in any work right now. I just got on the waiting list.

Unless the damage is really hideous, I'd stand pat on original stocks like those.

Bruce

As this is my first RM or N frame of this vintage I was not aware of the value of these grips until I began my research today. Per the SCSW pre war Magnas are valued higher than "Cokes." Unless the grips turn out to be worse than the photos I think I will follow the excellent advice given here and just carefully clean them and then enjoy the gun.

Bill

Just found a similar set, better condition, on Ebay with a "buy it now" of $799.99 and they are displayed on a RM. Probably an optimistic price but shows they are a bit more costly than I imagined. Just reinforces my decision to leave them alone after a gentle cleaning.

I would try to steam it out. There could still be a bruise but you won't know till you try. Crushed side grain is much easier to raise than end grain. How deep is it?
DW

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"NUTS"

Responded via PM.

Bill

Are you sure that is just a cut and not a break? Can it be seen from the back?

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

It is a cut or gouge. It cannot be seen from the rear. See photo below.

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Congratulations! I made you pay a little bit more but you still got a nice buy. I seem to be finishing 2nd on a lot of auctions these days. I would clean it up and use it as is. It looked like a great gun with honest wear and should make a great one for you. Good luck and good shooting. Be sure and post some new pics when you get her cleaned up!

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PTLAPTA!

The more I look at that the more it looks like a crack.
DW

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"NUTS"

No problem, all's fair in love, war and Registered Magnum buying. I hope to have it tomorrow and will begin working on it. I will then work on my photography to try to do it justice.

Bill

Hope not. I sent you a PM with more detailed (from seller) photos of the grips.

Bill