Correct grips for 1938 S&W M&P Model of 1905 4th Change

[jsfricks]

What would be the correct grips for a 1938 S&W M&P Model of 1905 4th Change? And what’s the approximate value of the ones on it. They are in excellent condition but possibly refinished. This was a police gun and it shows, except for the grips. They’re way too nice for the gun.

 

[T44spl]

Have you removed these grips to verify if they number to your gun? They appear to be prewar magna grips with the large medallions. I suspect the inners will reveal the machined discs, also your gun has what appears to be a humpback hammer as well. Overall a good find.
Not sure what would be the correct grips for your gun, but I would start by removing these grips to see if they are serialized to this gun.

 

[jsfricks]

Have you removed these grips to verify if they number to your gun? They appear to be prewar magna grips with the large medallions. I suspect the inners will reveal the machined discs, also your gun has what appears to be a humpback hammer as well. Overall a good find.
Not sure what would be the correct grips for your gun, but I would start by removing these grips to see if they are serialized to this gun.

I was thinking it would have Prewar Diamond Service stocks. It may have had stocks like these but these don’t number to the gun and are way too nice to originally belong to this gun due to the heavy holster wear, especially worn metal at the trigger guard. The Humpback hammer does letter as being ordered with the gun and shipped with several others to Chief C.W. Smith, Morgantown, VA. police department.

 

[JP@AK]

Here is a picture service stocks from the 1930s. This is what probably shipped on your revolver.

That said, the Magna stocks you have are period correct and appear to be in pretty decent condition. They are probably worth more than the stocks you want to get your configuration closer to original.

I'd be curious to know what the serial number on those stocks is. Perhaps we can figure out what they came on.

 

[paplinker]

I was thinking it would have Prewar Diamond Service stocks. It may have had stocks like these but these don’t number to the gun and are way too nice to originally belong to this gun due to the heavy holster wear, especially worn metal at the trigger guard. The Humpback hammer does letter as being ordered with the gun and shipped with several others to Chief C.W. Smith, Morgantown, VA. police department.

Do they have a number at all on the back?
Many have none. Especially on 22/40s

They are very likely redone as the checking looks different and its a bit rounded around the medallion hole almost like the medallion was taken out before sanding. Also whenever I see a darker finish I notice some guys use a darker finish to hide filler in spots.

Great gun that will be fun to shoot.
I think it look great with a period police holster.

 

[Muley Gil]

Most likely, that revolver shipped to Morgantown, WEST Virginia.

It may have been an error in the shipping ledger. Check with Don or Dr Roy.

 

[jsfricks]

Most likely, that revolver shipped to Morgantown, WEST Virginia.

It may have been an error in the shipping ledger. Check with Don or Dr Roy.

I believe you told me that a few weeks back but I forgot to correct it in my notes. Thanks!

 

[jsfricks]

Here is a picture service stocks from the 1930s. This is what probably shipped on your revolver.

That said, the Magna stocks you have are period correct and appear to be in pretty decent condition. They are probably worth more than the stocks you want to get your configuration closer to original.

I'd be curious to know what the serial number on those stocks is. Perhaps we can figure out what they came on.

There isn’t a number on these but looking at the side plate underneath the grips it appears they have been on the gun a long time.

 

[murphydog]

Definitely hang onto those prewar Magna stocks - they may be worth as much if not more than the gun!

 

[DWalt]

Be happy you have the prewar Magnas on your M&P, original or not. The HBH is somewhat uncommon on service model M&Ps, they were mainly used on the target M&P models, for single action Bullseye shooting. I believe they were always an extra-cost factory option. They did not re-appear after the War.

 

[boykinlp]

There isn’t a number on these but looking at the side plate underneath the grips it appears they have been on the gun a long time.

IIRC, the prewar K frame Magna grips came with and without the patent information inside the stock disks, with the blank ones coming on the earlier guns. Since your gun is from 1938, if it came with Magna grips, those would be correct. Considering the finish underneath them looks the way it does, they have at least been on it for a very long time. They are definitely in much nicer condition than the gun, and I agree with the refinished suggestion. I really like the humpback hammer, and between it and the grips, your gun has some really nice upgrades!

I bought a gun last month just for the prewar K frame Magna grips. They have the earlier blank stock circles and look more used than yours, but their grain is more visible too. As you can see, the serial number of mine has been x’ed out. I’m curious what the experts will value them also.
Larry

 

[4K2022]

Definitely a Win Win !! Very Nice. Everything.

I think I see a pretty good Blow ,, indentation on the Butt. flat??
I “bet that would leave a mark”” !! On whatever She was wearing at the time.
My opinion ,,, ladies like new shoes. Buy her 2 pairs

 

[jsfricks]

Definitely a Win Win !! Very Nice. Everything.

I think I see a pretty good Blow ,, indentation on the Butt. flat??
I “bet that would leave a mark”” !! On whatever She was wearing at the time.
My opinion ,,, ladies like new shoes. Buy her 2 pairs

Butt frame looks nice. Apparently just something in the picture.

 

[jsfricks]

I’d be curious what the indentations are in each stock.

 

[HeloMt]

Maybe marks from a grip adapter...

 

[RKmesa]

I’d be curious what the indentations are in each stock.

I agree with HeloMt, at some point it had a Tyler T grip adapter (or something similar) that is held on by "wings" that wrap around the frame and are held on by the grips.

 

[quinn]

One of our forum members, Curt Harlow, now retired from grip restoration, or some other artist could have restore those grips to that condition. He has done several sets of pre war magnas for me to that condition. So, those grips may be original to your gun, IMHO.

 

[glowe]

Personally, I think those could well be original to the gun. The bluing under the "horn" is much brighter and darker, meaning they were on that gun for a very long time. Second, Magna stocks were available for $1.00 extra on service grade K frame revolvers. I have a 1938 Price List from the catalog showing the options available. I would letter that gun.

Best guess would be that someone ordered a standard M&P with Magna stocks. Company could have grabbed a gun out of inventory and changed out the stocks, therefore not needing a serial number for the assembly. Anyway sure look nice!!

 

[jsfricks]

Personally, I think those could well be original to the gun. The bluing under the "horn" is much brighter and darker, meaning they were on that gun for a very long time. Second, Magna stocks were available for $1.00 extra on service grade K frame revolvers. I have a 1938 Price List from the catalog showing the options available. I would letter that gun.

Best guess would be that someone ordered a standard M&P with Magna stocks. Company could have grabbed a gun out of inventory and changed out the stocks, therefore not needing a serial number for the assembly. Anyway sure look nice!!

Actually I do have a letter that a previous owner requested. See below.

 

[bullmack]

You need a nice holster for this gun. This one came with my 1905, 4th.