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08-14-2024, 06:32 PM
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It’s Lettered but the Stocks info?
This is my first letter I’ve had done. I was really hoping the letter would have been more detailed on the stocks. I have seen letters state the style of grips, and mine could have been shipped with either Magnas or Service stocks.
Any help is appreciated!
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08-14-2024, 06:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DETROIT
This is my first letter I’ve had done. I was really hoping the letter would have been more detailed on the stocks. I have seen letters state the style of grips, and mine could have been shipped with either Magnas or Service stocks.
Any help is appreciated!
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Someone will correct me if I’m wrong but I think Magnas became available in 1935 so your gun would have the shorter service stocks with medallions like the letter mentions.
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08-14-2024, 06:45 PM
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Magnas didn't come out until 1935 so definitely not correct for your gun. The letter says service stocks with silver medallions but I thought those didn't show up until 1930 (as shown on my 3rd model from 1931). I would have expected a 1928 gun to have the non-medallion service stocks as shown on the 2nd model. Since yours went to W&K it might have left W&K with a set of MOPs such as shown on the other 3rd Model. Someone will be along to clarify as to when the silver medallion stocks arrived.
Jeff
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08-14-2024, 06:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shown50
Someone will correct me if I’m wrong but I think Magnas became available in 1935 so your gun would have the shorter service stocks with medallions like the letter mentions.
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I wish they mentioned service stocks
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08-14-2024, 06:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DETROIT
I wish they mentioned service stocks
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Well, essentially I think that's what the letter says, at the time there were no other options. . . .as far as I know.
Jeff
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08-14-2024, 07:35 PM
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The pre-war 3rd model, Wolf & Klar from 1928 would have had standard (service) checkered stocks. The 3rd gets all the love along with the 1st (triple lock). I've only had the lowly second model. Maybe some day.
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08-14-2024, 07:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 22hipower
Well, essentially I think that's what the letter says, at the time there were no other options. . . .as far as I know.
Jeff
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That is correct. The only walnut stocks available in 1928 were the service version.
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08-14-2024, 08:11 PM
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As we often state, the convex walnut stocks ran from 1920 to 1930. As mentioned above, the OP's gun shipped in 1928 and should not have had silver medallions??
Prior to the introduction of the 357 Magnum, there was only one factory stock design for I, K, and N frames. Whether it had medallions or not, they were all round top, checkered diamond walnut stocks. Of course, ivory and MOP was available off and on prior to 1930, from the factory, but they also had round tops. Lastly, special extended target stocks are found on certain models, but again, they had the same round top.
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Last edited by glowe; 08-14-2024 at 08:15 PM.
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08-14-2024, 10:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DETROIT
I wish they mentioned service stocks
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You might want to check back with Don Mundell on the letter. I have a Regulation Police 32 Long target from 1927 and the letter also references walnut stocks with the silver medallion. This is an I frame but the timeframe for medallions, as far as I know, was the same for all of them. I intend at some point to ask Don to revise the letter as I'm sure it should say non-medallion stocks. Don, and Roy Jinks before him, were always more than willing to revise a letter if an error was confirmed.
As a bit of a consolation prize, I think the non-medallion service stocks are a little easier to find, and a little less expensive, than the silver medallion ones. Good luck. Oh, one more thing, we'd love to see pictures of the gun.
Jeff
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Last edited by 22hipower; 08-14-2024 at 11:09 PM.
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08-14-2024, 11:18 PM
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In my observations, Wolf & Klar very often changed the stocks on the third models to jigged bone (most common in my experience), smooth mother of pearl, carved steerhead MOP, or carved steerhead ivory (lest common). Perhaps because the gun was exclusived theirs at the time, they wanted them to be noticed. Or, perhaps, they just wanted to heat their huge store during the winter months by burning S&W walnut grips.
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08-14-2024, 11:26 PM
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Everybody who said service stocks were the only game in town knows what they're talking about. Could Don have mentioned the checkered walnut square butt grips were of the service variety? Sure, but he knew there was no need----just like most everyone who's chimed in here knew it. Think of it as a learning process for both of you----just the same as we've all had at one time or another-----and very likely the reason we're still here.
All that said, Don does his best to be an accommodating sort, and he might very well give you a revised letter----if you asked. Me-----I know better---just like a bunch of other folks here know better---just like you do too---now.
There's all different ways to learn about these things. Me, I have damn near every book written on the subject---and I've read them all---some more carefully than others. The School of Hard Knocks is another way to learn, but it takes too long---and might prove to be embarrassing sometimes.
Been there---done that!
Now, if you were paying big bucks, at the time, for a Registered Magnum -----like the fellow who ordered my last one. (Actually, he ordered THREE of them (643,644, and 645), one for himself, the other two for Christmas presents---and he ordered them with one of the only two games in town---with or without grip adapter attached.) He chose attached. Then, he found out about the then new Magna's, and changed his order----AFTER the regular stocks had been fit to his three guns. NO PROBLEM---back to the drawing board---and he still got the guns in time for Christmas!
Like I said, it's a learning process.
Ralph Tremaine
By the by, the Service stocks with grip adapter attached are VASTLY superior to the Mangna's----in my opinion---and each to their own.
And you can very likely get a grip adapter. (Call David Carroll.) It might well take a while, and the last one I got cost $500-----but it was worth it just to have it, 'cause there ain't hardly any RM's around with them---attached.
And if you do get one, and the short screw is missing, let me know; and I'll tell you where to get the correct screw---and how to go about whittling it down to size so it fits better than the factory screw.
Last edited by rct269; 08-14-2024 at 11:52 PM.
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08-15-2024, 02:14 AM
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I don’t want a revised letter. I was always under the impression that magnas where available by special order in the late 20’s but became catalog after 34/35.
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08-15-2024, 02:36 AM
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Fair enough!
Here's the impression you should have been under---from one of those "books" I mentioned: "The first production revolver fitted with the Magna stock was serial #46978, and bears the registration #466. This revolver was finished on September 17, 1935, and sent to the Argentine Government for testing."
This particular "book" is described as an "article"-----never mind it took up 21 pages----single spaced with A BUNCH of illustrations---the entirety of a 1989 SWCA Journal. Then, just as an illustration of wretched excess, the author (Jinks) did another article, updating the 1989 version in a 2010 edition of the SWCA Journal. (I can't lay my grubby little paws on that right this minute, but it likely ran to another 8-10 or more pages.) The bottom line of all this is the Magna grips are a Registered Magnum thing---early on-------------in the beginning.
Ralph Tremaine
As a worthwhile addition to this book learnin' is D.B. Wesson's Scrapbook. In the unlikely event you can lay your hands on a copy, it'll tell you the "back story" of the 357 Magnum---and all the players. Perhaps the best part is the section on Philip B. Sharpe ---he who S&W credits with the development of the 357 Magnum cartridge, and he who was the recipient of Registered Magnum #2 (!!)------and whose several development loads scared the pants off of Wesson!!
And speaking of wretched excess, here's some more on Magna stocks: "A pair of revolvers was built on September 16, 1935, to allow for a comparison evaluation of the new prototype stock (That would be the Magna.) and the standard stocks with grip adaptors. These revolvers were serial #0372 (grip adapter) and #0373 (magna stocks) of the new factory's special serial number series. This new prototype stock was well received and was named the Magna stock."
And the gun sent to Argentina was finished the next day, fitted with a set of Magna's, and off it went! I guess those folks liked 'em too.
Seems like they could have sent it to someone next door in Connecticut, instead of all the way to Argentina.
Last edited by rct269; 08-15-2024 at 03:43 AM.
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08-15-2024, 06:32 AM
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Magna Stocks
From the 2010 Jinks article…..
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08-15-2024, 07:33 AM
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Here is a better image of the flyer in the lower right of Terry’s post.
I do not know what year this was printed.
Kevin
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08-15-2024, 10:02 AM
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The first .357 Magnum shipped in April 1935. S&W filled out an order form for each of the new guns specifying how they were to be built. Barrel length, front sight, rear sight. The only option for grips was did you want the Wesson Grip Adapter (attached) (unattached). The service grip was the only grip.
As has been stated, the first Magnas were shipped in September 1935. The order form was later updated with an option for Magna stocks. Perhaps someone will have one of those forms to show. In those days S&W said stocks rather than grips.
The order form on my gun is dated 11/15/35. It shipped December 24, 1935. Magnas is penciled in. Don't know when the new forms became available, but I would say it was after November 15.
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Last edited by DARE; 08-15-2024 at 03:29 PM.
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08-15-2024, 11:23 AM
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A final word---or six or eight:
If you want to know what the RM program was ALL about, it was about cash money---$60 for a gun that cost $17 to make---and S&W wanted every penny of that $60. It didn't turn out like that because the distributors wanted in on the action too---and finally had their way---very likely after some pushing and shoving.
Ralph Tremaine
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08-15-2024, 02:40 PM
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Invoices (pre- and post-war) generally do not list the type of stocks unless there is an extra charge for them. Don and Roy usually will identify the type of stocks in a letter by stating what was standard for the model at the time it was shipped. For example, a 44 Magnum shipped in 1956 will be described in the letter as having target stocks made of Goncalo alves. This is most likely correct, but it is not shown on the invoice. The magnum would simply be listed as a 44 Magnum, 6 1/2, B. Registered Magnums are the exception because they were a custom ordered revolver.
Bill
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08-15-2024, 03:51 PM
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Thank you everyone for your help. I had to get clarification, I don’t like assumptions or spending money on the wrong parts.
Thank you again!
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