Wasn't sure where to ask this question so feel free to move it if it's in the wrong section. I recently got a 1905 4th change with a later 2inch barrel and some smooth dark colored magnas on it. After shooting it some I like the way they feel as well as the way they look and would like to find some more. I've tried to look around online for some but am coming up short on what they're called or when they were made. They've got a 61 stamped in each grip which I think is the serial number. It might be pre1971-72 from the look of the medallion retainers? I'm not sure when they switched from pencil to impressions in the wood. The color is much darker than my other k frame grips is that a stain put on the walnut or a different wood? Any help would be great.
In spite of what others may have said there are several errors. First, they are not Magnas strictly, they are known as
modified magnas, Plain Clothes, or PC. They have definitely been stained post-factory by a prior owner. S&W did not stain stocks that I have ever seen, and the stain being so irregular on the back of those panels is evidence of a sloppy, amateurish staining job. In addition to the stain they appear to have been sanded sufficiently to actually change the shape of the stocks somewhat. In short, they simply do not look right!
The
stamping of the guns serial number on the right stock began before WW 2.
The matching number on those is evidence that they were originally sold as replacements, it is not a partial SN as the full number minus the prefix letter was stamped on the right stock only, not both. Stocks fitted to a specific gun did not need a
matching number, for lack of a better term, because of the way they were handled internally, they stayed with the frames they were fit to!
My considered opinion is their value is no more than any other used S&W stocks that have been modified, probably not more than $25, and I wouldn't give you anything for them! Sorry!
