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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 06-06-2017, 11:13 PM
socal s&w socal s&w is offline
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Default Magna Stocks and approximate value?

Good day Everyone --=--

I recently bought a pair of older Smith & Wesson stocks, I have reviewed them in the SCS&W yet still am unsure of their exact year range or what they are for that matter.

So;
S&W Magna Diamond Center, Checkered Stocks?
Per the SCS&W, these appear to be from between 1934 and 1941 (from my review of the Catalog). This seems to align with the serial number of 305877 stamped on the back. Upon close examination with a magnifying glass, I can barely make out where it looks to have had the ‘filler’ grips installed, furthering the approximate time line as those were available along 1934 or so. I can just make out the ‘tabs’ on each side of the stocks. The screw also seems to be extended to accommodate the filler.
They are not relieved for the side-plate screw head and have black/blued rear escutcheons that are slightly concave to the center pin. They are square butt, not round and the checkering outline is not as arched at the top as earlier ones in the Catalog, flatter if you will.
They seem to me to be between Excellent and Good condition, there are some very minor checkering flaws and the silver colored S&W insignias don’t necessarily align (straight up and down with the wood). You can see the minor checkering flaws just to the upper right of the Diamond Center.
I have looked at some old posts for stocks and am still not convinced which ones I may have.
Might anyone have an idea on an approximate value for these stocks? I picked these up and would like to sell them as I don’t have anything as old as these should fit.
Thank you!
mike
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Old 06-06-2017, 11:29 PM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is offline
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Those are post WW II. Per the serial number of 305877, pre war N frames SNs only went up to 5 digits. These date to about 1968. I would put a value of $75-$100 on them.

Pre war Magnas had greater checkering coverage and had machined aluminum discs instead of the stamped discs shown.
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Old 06-07-2017, 12:05 AM
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Muley Gil is absolutely correct - those are definitely postwar.

My question: are we sure they are N frame?

Also, maybe my eyesight isn't so good, but are the shoulders sharp? I don't see much taper. That would put them in the early 1950s at the latest. The problem is the serial number would not fit a C prefix K frame in the period of the sharp shoulders, since those went away in late '52 or early '53. You end up with the same problem you face with the N frames.

So maybe the shoulder is tapered after all.
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Old 06-07-2017, 12:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JP@AK View Post
....
My question: are we sure they are N frame?

Also, maybe my eyesight isn't so good, but are the shoulders sharp? I don't see much taper. That would put them in the early 1950s at the latest. The problem is the serial number would not fit a C prefix K frame in the period of the sharp shoulders, since those went away in late '52 or early '53. You end up with the same problem you face with the N frames.

So maybe the shoulder is tapered after all.
The optics are a bit tricky, but these shoulders do not look pronounced enough for "sharp-shoulder magnas" to my eyes. Particularly the right one seems well-rounded. That would make C 305877, ca. 1955, a viable candidate.

Compare the "fold line" (for lack of a better word) on the OP's picture with my confirmed 1947 vintage. Admittedly not the same angle, but still comparable and noticeably different.
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Old 06-07-2017, 08:14 AM
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Based on the photos, I would guess the stocks date to 1956 and are for a K-frame revolver.

Bill
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Old 06-07-2017, 09:12 AM
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They are for a K-frame. From a picture of the front side, it is difficult to tell K grips from N grips, but no problem if you look at the back side. The (C)305877 SN suggests 1954-55. There can be no mistaking the visual differences between pre-war and postwar Magnas.

Did you buy them for an existing gun? Similar grips are VERY common to find on eBay, in the $20-$40 range depending upon condition.

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Old 06-07-2017, 09:13 AM
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As I learned here, a quick way to tell pre-war from post-war stocks is to look at the border around the checkering. If the corners are sharp, they are pre-war. If rounded, like these, they are post-war.
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Old 06-07-2017, 09:38 AM
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When measuring the bases, front to back, K frames are 1 3/4" and Ns are 1 7/8".
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Old 06-07-2017, 03:04 PM
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Just one comment that could impact the $30-40 value. Based on pics, the shoulder on right grip seams more rounded than on left. If this is true, the RH grip may be from a later pair or could have been worked down to remove handling marks. I agree with assessment of mid-50's vintage. Have just recently purchased a couple pair looking for better replacements for one of my pre-model number K38 Combat Masterpiece.
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Old 06-07-2017, 03:22 PM
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I forgot to mention that in my earlier posting. The grips appear to be mismatched in shoulder style.
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Old 06-07-2017, 03:49 PM
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The right grip is N, the left is K.
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Old 06-07-2017, 04:07 PM
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The right grip is N, the left is K.
And so they appear to be. I wasn't looking closely enough.
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Old 06-08-2017, 12:06 AM
socal s&w socal s&w is offline
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So, they are not even a match? Dang, I guess that they have no real value then.
Thank you so much for all of the expert help here.
This place is always so awesome!

mike
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Old 06-15-2017, 06:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Absalom View Post
The optics are a bit tricky, but these shoulders do not look pronounced enough for "sharp-shoulder magnas" to my eyes. Particularly the right one seems well-rounded. That would make C 305877, ca. 1955, a viable candidate.
Yep. I'm with you now. Definitely post-1952.

Because of the checkering pattern, there was never any doubt they were postwar. The only question was how long after the war. I also am convinced they are K/N frame stocks (one of each).

Thanks for helping me out, Absalom.
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Old 06-15-2017, 06:43 AM
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Just for reference can you post a photo of the two stocks placed butt to butt with one corner aligned? This will clarify the N/K size relationship.
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Old 06-15-2017, 08:24 AM
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I'd guess that they are both K Frame panels. The right grip cannot be a N- Frame SN, because at 305XXX I believe that the diamond centers would have been eliminated... Also looking at them from the top side they appear to be the same size. Because of the angle of the photo, I think the back side photo distorts the right panel so that it looks a little larger than the left. But easy enough to see if they are put back to back...
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Old 06-15-2017, 08:36 AM
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You might be correct, Richard. They do look to be different size in his pic, but you make a good point. I think James has the answer. We need to see them butt to butt.
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Old 06-15-2017, 08:41 AM
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They are perfectly matched non-sharp shoulder diamond K-frame magnas. Sharp shoulders will bring closer to $100, these closer to $50.
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Old 06-15-2017, 09:41 AM
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I found a s&w 38 ctg regulation police nickle plated 5 shot last date on barrel is Dec 29 14 and the number 564 is on it on the front of handle frame and a couple other spots also the number 802 is behind the drum extractor pin once them are the only identification marks i have can u tell me what i have

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Old 06-15-2017, 10:04 AM
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Both K-frames...$50-60.
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Old 06-15-2017, 10:11 AM
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Quote:
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I found a s&w 38 ctg regulation police nickle plated 5 shot last date on barrel is Dec 29 14 and the number 564 is on it on the front of handle frame and a couple other spots also the number 802 is behind the drum extractor pin once them are the only identification marks i have can u tell me what i have
You should start a new thread for your RP.
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Old 06-15-2017, 11:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Gonzales View Post
I found a s&w 38 ctg regulation police nickle plated 5 shot last date on barrel is Dec 29 14 and the number 564 is on it on the front of handle frame and a couple other spots also the number 802 is behind the drum extractor pin once them are the only identification marks i have can u tell me what i have
Do as jebstuart suggests. We have people who specialize in these I-frame guns, but they may never see your post if it's hidden in this thread about something completely different. Just hit "New Thread" at the top of the subforum.
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Old 06-15-2017, 02:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Gonzales View Post
I found a s&w 38 ctg regulation police nickle plated 5 shot last date on barrel is Dec 29 14 and the number 564 is on it on the front of handle frame and a couple other spots also the number 802 is behind the drum extractor pin once them are the only identification marks i have can u tell me what i have
Paul
As jebstuart and Absalom stated, you should start a completely new thread about your RP. Post some pics if you can. With that low number, it likely was made in 1917. I'd want to know what the stocks look like. And with a new thread, our I frame guys will give you lots of good info.
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Old 06-15-2017, 11:54 PM
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Hello All --=--

I will try to post some better pictures from differing angles this weekend. Looking forward to more ideas/comments.

Thanks to everyone again!

mike
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