Centennial & Bodyguard “High Horns”

[digi-shots]

While sorting thru a box I have of grip stocks, I came across a couple of older "diamond" magnas that I had marked as high horns.

I compared them to a pair of Jay Scott "stags" (#39) that were made for the Centennial. It looks like the two S&W sets are actually semi high horn. They are longer than regular j frame magnas but shorter than the Jay Scott Centennials.

Both are stamped on the inside with a s/n and have large black washers. The screw threads are a bit smaller than regular j frame magnas.
s/n 88928
s/n 331979

From the serial numbers, is there any way to determine model make or year?

I have two airweight m38 Bodyguards (1971 & 1984) both sets of semi hi horns seem to fit. The bodyguards are newer and really shouldn't have "diamond" magnas.

 

[jcelect]

Semi high horns

The semi-high horns were ln the earlier mod 49s & 38s. They will have large washers in the back! The high horns were ln the mod 40s & 42s. They have a small washer in the back which the mod 40 & 42 frame requires! These are the only J frames cut for the small washers!
jcelect

 

[digi-shots]

Thanks, I appreciate the info!

In the photo I posted, you can definitely see the difference in the size of the washers. The Jay Scott's have very small washers.

The Jay Scott are a bit tacky looking but sometimes a "retro" look is just what's needed on some guns. I think I have a similar pair for a 1911.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Howdy Linda,

Dr. Jinks called the Centennial grips the "large horned grips." I have no idea where the term "high horned grips" originated.

Roy did not specifically name the Bodyguard grips in 1955, but they were shorter than Centennial grips and taller than Chiefs Special grips.

Both Centennial and Bodyguard sized grips seem to have changed in 1969, along with the J-frame serial number changes. The Centennial and Bodyguard grips seemed to give way to the shorter Chiefs Special grips that year. I don't have enough examples of either Centennials or Bodyguards in my database to validate my belief, but I think my theory has substance.

 

[Greymann]

Nice stocks.
I always called those "semi high horn".

.

 

[bigmtnman]

I used to make these to fit a M49 ..... I just like a chance to show them

 

[SS336]

I used to make these to fit a M49 ..... I just like a chance to show them

I'll take them, PM sent………….oh, wait, what?

Those look great Ken, you should still make them.

 

[Greymann]

I used to make these to fit a M49 ..... I just like a chance to show them

Super nice bigmtnmam!
Hopefully you'll make some more.

.