N frame S&W grip adapter

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scout7

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I have come across something that appears to be an original S&W grip adapter for an N frame revolver. It has two plates that look to fit under the gun's grip panels and a black filler block that fits between the plates that is held in place with a screw through it. It is too big for a k frame and seems to fit ok on my old 38-44. The left plate is marked "Manufactured by Smith & Wesson" and has "U.S. patent #1848682" stamped below. I came across this site looking for information on this grip adapter. I would like to find out what guns it was made for and if it worked with original grips or if the grips needed to be modified for it to fit. Please let me know if this is not the right place to ask.

Thanks!
 
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Sounds like the real thing to me. They could be ordered on all N-frames from 1935-40 if I remember right. They generally came with Service stocks but the stocks required a little longer screw to be able to reach the threads, Here is a picture of my Registered Magnum with service stocks and grip adaptor.

Dan

20101210_8.jpg


This is what a set of pre war N-Frame factory service stocks look like
20101223_4.jpg
 
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Thanks! I will see if I can get a pic posted later.

You have a great air museum in Tucson, nothing like it here in Indiana.

Scott
 
The patent for those dates to 1931-1932. They were originally designed to improve the grip on the .38/44 Outdoorsman, which was being offered as a high-end target revolver. Of course they could be installed on any earlier or contemporaneous N-frames as well. They don't work with magna stocks unless you plane the back of the stocks or create spacers to fit behind the high-rise parts of the stocks that overlie the frame and side plate.

Original N-frame adaptors can bring big bucks -- think $700-750 for sets in good condition. The company also produced K-frame grip adaptors, but they trade hands at about $300-350.
 
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Am I correct that a few, very few (like only a couple) Magna style grips were specially made in order to be used with the grip adapter? Regularly, of course they cannot because the "ears" of the grips will be off the side of the frame and possibly be damaged.

Also, I know we covered this some time ago, but can someone refresh my memory on the order of rarity in grip adapter series? For instance, K-square, K-round (if actually made) and N-square? It would be good in the stickies.
 
Thanks for all of the help and the great pictures. It looks like I have two choices; look for a set of grips like Dan posted and put them on the 38-44 or put them up on the trader. Are the pre-war grips hard to find or expensive in "shooter" condition?
 
scout7,

I recently bought a set of Ivory service grips with the grip adaptor shown in my picture from another forum member for $750. I have owned at least 5 sets of N-frame grip adaptors and 4 K frame adaptors and the most I have ever gotten for a set is $450 for N-frame and $300 for K-frame. that was selling on E-Bay and here on the forum. the prices quoted above are a little high IMO.
Also the dates given were probably more correct than what I quoted but it took a couple years for S&W to put the GA into the catalogs as a listed item for sale.

Dan
 
I put them up on the for sale forum for $600 OBO. I have gotten some offers, though none good enough to accept. I also found a set of grips to use to try them, so if they don't sell I will just keep them. They will only increase in value as time goes on and as (if) the economy improves. Thanks to all for the input.
 
Is there anyone the reproduces these? They look really straight forward to make. I really dig service stocks and these look cool.
-Jesse
 
JWNathan said:
Is there anyone the reproduces these? They look really straight forward to make. I really dig service stocks and these look cool.
-Jesse
Click to expand...

I know reproductions exist because there was a SWCA member at the Orlando show with several pairs of reproduction N frame grip adapters for sale.

Sorry I do not remember who it was.
 
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