Hello Jim,

Was trying to help clarify a few things on the forum, when I saw something caught my eye.

Wish I could see a non-model marked Pre 14 or Pre 17 lettered with the 8 3/8" barrel. Anyone have a factory lettered one they wish to share? I'd love to see them. My Model 14 four screw with lettered 8 3/8" barrel shipped
May 1, 1959. The letter states walnut checkered grips, which is lettered that way on several of those I hold. It is my guess if the term magna or target is not present, they must be magna style. I'll have to dig it up and clean it for a picture or two one day.

The 3rd Edition does state, "checkered walnut Magna style grips".

Seems a lot was going on around 1957-1959. The 3rd Edition shows on the Model 14 a lot of changes.
1957: stamping of model number.
1959: 14-1 change extractor rod from right-hand to left-hand thread.
1959: Introduce 8 3/8" barrel.

I need to buy a 4th Edition while waiting on the fifth.

The Model 17 lists walnut magna grips.
1957: Stamping of the model number.
1958: Introduce 8 3/8" barrel.

Here it shows 1958 for the Model 17 8 3/8" barrel, while the 14 shows 1959. I wonder what the fourth edition shows? If you have any left you would sell me, let me know. Thanks, Bud