Help with "High Horn" vs. "Sharp Shoulder" Magnas

[Absalom]

...
....This change took place in the 1930s. There might even be some stocks marked this way in the later 1920s, but I have no absolute proof of that.

....
I know that the teen's and 20's stocks were penciled but did S&W ever stamp grips prior to that? My 1902 has the s/n stamped on the right panel in what appears to be the same size and font used in the 40's.

Someone should go and check the chronology in the back of the catalog. I can't get to mine right now.

I remember stamping re-started in 1929, but am not positive on the start of penciling. Maybe 1910?

 

[DWalt]

I have a pair of the 1911-20 deep dish medallion grips. The SN is definitely stamped on the right panel, but I'd have to find that pair (not sure where they are) to know what that SN was.

 

[mbliss57]

OP thank you for posting this question. It has been a very informative thread that I have learned quite a lot from. Thanks all for contributions as well.

 

[glowe]

I have always been interested in knowing how many pre-model numbered 22 and 38 Combat Masterpiece revolvers were manufactured? I know the 1952 S&W Catalog only made a passing comment on their 22 version of this model, while their entry was all about the 38 version. The comment was that the 22 was available for training purposes, without additional cost.

Which one turned out to be more popular, in my mind, would have been the 22 CM and not the 38. It appears the serial number range for the Combat Masterpiece was from around K81,000 to K310,000. Most of that production would have most likely been 38 Military & Police, followed by the Masterpiece line and last would have been the CM. Anyone care to venture guesses on production???

 

[glowe]

Many of the K frame Magna stocks for sale will show images of the back of the stocks. Download and enlarge that image and look for serial numbers in the range of your gun inside the right stock and they will be correct. Actually, the style stayed pretty much the same from K101 to around K140,000.

 

[BillyMagg]

I so hate finding vintage Smiths missing their original grips, as no doubt you all have also encountered!

Actually, I'm just happy to find a nice clean old Smith, if no grips, I'd prolly call Patrick Grashorn!

 

[Engine49guy]

As others have stated the correct post war diamond Magna stocks for your gun would be the "High shoulder" style ,

The other factor to consider in that era is the material the S&W medallions are made of, the early post war medallions are nickel plated brass,
The medallions change to Plastic in 1952 (my guess is this had to do with wartime shortages of brass),
Medallions then changed to raw steel sometime in 1953,
they then changed back to nickel plated brass sometime in late 53 or early 54.

Have the following in my collection for comparison .
Serial K 97950 Shipped Nov 1950 (Sharp shoulder Magnas with nickel plated brass medallions)
Serial K 132838 shipped March 1952 (Sharp shoulder Magnas with Plastic medallions)
Serial K 195134 Shipped Nov 1953 (Tapered shoulder Magnas with raw steel medallions)
Serial K 205445 Shipped Feb 1954 (Tapered shoulder Magnas with nickel plated brass medallions)

 

[gmborkovic]

Brad, you are back. Send me an e-mail, I lost it. Mike