The post below got me to thinking. That's always an iffy thing with me. I have a couple of sets of the high horn long frame magnas that were used right after the war. I have nothing to put them on, but I'm not going to sell them now because of the depressed prices. I have had them for years and will probably sell them when prices go back up. I'd like to know what they were selling for a couple of years ago. Is there a big demand for them? As I stated in the post below, I am not an N frame guy. I've got a couple of premodel N Frame shooters that I do just that with, but they are both short action guns. I have no interest in collecting N frames as all my collecting effort goes into the old top breaks. So, eventually I'll pass them on to some deserving N Frame guy.
Mark

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Mark Connot

Mark - if they are in good shape they will sell in the $200-$250 range (from the 2-3 sets I've bought or sold in the past year).
Those grips will sell regardless of economy because of them being hard to find.

I will also note - some have sold cheaper because seller didn't know what they had. Also many have been ruined because they were sanded down on the bottoms to fit later guns.

I have not noticed them going as high as VM points out, But I have paid $175 for nice pairs in the past.
I could use them now- if you want to price them, I'll try.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Cflier,

Fitting a transition N frame with period magnas is a challenge, to put it mildly. I have two long action transition N frames, #S65402 (1946) and #S68764 (1947), that are driving me nuts. The early one is wearing a 1949-period set marked 73xxx, but the fit is not even close. The other is wearing a set of fitted Grashorns.

The value of your transition magnas are not tied to the national economy, they are tied to the S&W N frame postwar transition collector market, and to a specific date and serial number range. Over the past year I paid $150-$175 for transition magnas that don't fit my revolvers. If a seller offered a set of quality 1946-47 period magnas in the 65xxx-69xxx range for, say, $xxx.00, then I might be interested now, tomorrow, or ten years from now.

My point is this: You can salt them away as they will be worth more later, probably. Speaking on behalf of frustrated transition N frame enthusiasts, they have value to us - if they fit a very narrow specification.

So, are your magnas numbered?

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

The 2 sets that I have are not that exciting. But, I guess I will pass them on. I've gotten private Emails and you guys have expressed some frustration in finding them so I will put them in the want to sell accessories section of the forum later today. One set, serial # 68069 is in decent shape but not for a 99% gun, a little worn,and with some small dents in the bottem. I guess maybe for a 95 to 98% gun. The second set is # 72602 and they are a differant story. They are for a rough shooter type gun. The top of the left side has been thinned sometime in the past. Sort of an early speed loader cut. It looks really good but somebody didn't care about collectors when this was done. I'll put pictures in the add. I don't know if I'm breaking the rules by posting this here, but a whole bunch of people have experessed interest and this is seems like a fair way to do it.
Mark

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Mark Connot

I am very fond of transitional 38/44 Outdoorsman and finding nice grips can be a very frustrating experience ! I find that premium sets tend to sell in the $150-$200 range.

Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

cflier:

Here is a $170 set for reference.

Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

Good thread guys, thank you cflier for bringing this up and GLL for posting pics. Sharing information and resources is what makes this forum and community enjoyable and unqiue. The good news for me is that your set #68069 and my 44HE are within 700 sn's of each other, and both exhibit similar wear. It might work this time!

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

Interesting conversation and in an area I am unfamiliar with. What is the serial number range of these grips. the reason I ask is I recently aquired a 455 Mark II HE
2nd model with a set of diamond magnas. Obviously they were not correct for the gun and that's alright as it has had the rear of cylinder shaved and now chambers 45 Colt.

That all said the serial number on the grips is 77919. Is that in the range of the grips in discussion? Just asking for future information. At this time they are doing good service on my 1967 vintage 3.5" Model 27.

I saw the grips, s/n 68069 down below in the for sale section. Very nice set and would finish off my 44HE. I'm at work but the s/n is around the early 69000's. If it wasn't so close to Christmas I would look real hard at it because they are hard to find. Very nice set of grips. I'm sure they won't be around long. Good Luck