Grips identification:

[Donald Paul]

These grips {I am told} are from a pre-war "N frame" HE.
How can one be certain of that.
What are the outstanding give-away features of the grips assuming that there is no serial number showing on the right panel?
Is the checking, or the outline, or the medallions unique? 
Also, what types and approx years of revolvers were they used on?
Thanks-
Donald

 

[DocB]

Wow! I don't know for sure, but they look like big money to me. I'm guessing they will fit a Registered Magnum. The condition appears to be excellent. I don't own and have never seen a pair like those. The experts will be along and tell you what you need to know.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Yes. Those are definitely $$$$ pre-war stocks. The medallions are .5" not .4", the border around the checking has sharp corners, and the washers are milled, with patent stamps (you find them without patent stamps as well). The washer are mounted reverse the method used on later magnas. They started in 1935 on the Registered Magnums, then gradually were mounted on other N frames such as the Model 1926 and the .38/44 Outdoorsman. A scaled down version were made for K frame guns. The large washers and sharp bordering stopped being used at wartime. The sharp shoulder above the medallion continued on until about 1953 or so, IIRC.

 

[DWalt]

If they belong to you, you have a rare and highly desirable prize. They were more than likely originally shipped attached to a .357 Magnum during the pre-WWII period. I don't believe S&W used them on any other of their N-frame revolvers, but I could be incorrect.

 

[wheelgun610]

If they belong to you, you have a rare and highly desirable prize. They were more than likely originally shipped attached to a .357 Magnum during the pre-WWII period. I don't believe S&W used them on any other of their N-frame revolvers, but I could be incorrect.

They were used on all N frames, but may have been special order on anything other than pre-war 357's. I have a Heavy Duty in the 49000 serial range and a 3rd Model .44 in the 54000's with magnas that are numbered to each gun.

Mark

 

[jmace57]

I can't add much to what others have said, but want to say that is the nicest set of them I've ever seen.

 

[hibbs]

They came on a number of guns other than Reg. Magnums. I have owned 2 2nd. model 44 HE that came with pre-war magnas. Both were late guns shipped after 1936. I also have a couple pair of extra pre-war magnas, one pair 51xxx that have the inscribed emblem cups, and a pair that are not inscribed and are not serial #. I have seen several of these un numbered grips thu the years. You have a beautiful pair! cherish them!

Richard
SWCA 2062

 

[Hondo44]

Also, the medallions are flat and chrome plated between 1929 and the end of the war.

 

[clang444]

They look like someone may have put on a coat of shellac on them. They are more orange looking than I am used to seeing, but it might just be the picture/lighting. I have 5-6 pairs of pre-war N frame magnas and these are my nicest set on my RM:

 

[merl67]

Those are beautiful look like they were made this week, as to the color I bet it is lighting as the the whole photo has a yellow cast to it.

 

[andy52]

If you consider selling them please keep me in mind I have a 3rd model Wolf and Klar that would love to have those shoes.

 

[JSR III]

Those stocks look like they came out of a time capsule. Unfortunately, my suspicious nature wonders if they have been refinished in order to look that good.

I wonder if anyone has ever put together a treatise about S&W stocks showing a timeline of features that would allow folks to get an idea when their stocks were available.

Now that would be a sticky worth having.

 

[H Richard]

There is good info and pictures in the SCSW4.

 

[smith17]

David Damkaer wrote a very nice illustrated piece on K frame stocks from 1899-1970 in the Winter 1986 SWCA report.
Ed

 

[JSR III]

There is good info and pictures in the SCSW4.

David Damkaer wrote a very nice illustrated piece on K frame stocks from 1899-1970 in the Winter 1986 SWCA report

This is great information but my point is that not everyone has access to a SCSW4, 3, 2, 1 or old SWCA journals. I think that a sticky here on the forum would be a super addition to the collective knowledge and especially for those of us that can't remember what we had for breakfast two days ago.