Las Vegas Find Transition 38 2 inch.

[DWalt]

Aside from the hammer shape, an M&P SN under about S990000 will have a long action. But a small number of S-prefix SNs above that SN may also be found having long actions. The switch from long to short actions did not happen overnight. Any M&P SN having a C or D prefix will have the short action.

 

[ladder13]

Here's one from April '46, S 816945

 

[JP@AK]

Here's one from April '46, S 816945

Hi!
I already have this one in my database (you supplied the info some time back). But I have one question. Is there a plugged swivel hole on the butt? I have one in my personal collection that is numbered only 80 numbers earlier than yours. It has a plugged hole. It appears from my research so far that they pretty much all did until about S819xxx.
Also, out of curiosity, what number is stamped on the right stock panel? Those appear to be stocks from the post-1952 period.
Thanks.

 

[jouesdeveau]

Hi!
...
Also, out of curiosity, what number is stamped on the right stock panel? Those appear to be stocks from the post-1952 period.
Thanks.

Jack: How do the post-'52 stocks differ from the pre-'52 ones?
Thanks in advance.

 

[DWalt]

1946-51 Magna stocks are of the so-called "sharp-shoulder" variety. The upper part of the "horn" has a nearly flat shelf. Later Magnas are more rounded there. You can see that in some of the pictures above. Posting #38 is a good example of a sharp shoulder stock.

 

[JP@AK]

Jack: How do the post-'52 stocks differ from the pre-'52 ones?
Thanks in advance.

I agree with DWalt's answer except for his date. There is lots of evidence that the sharp shoulder variety were still shipping in droves in 1952. I generally use 1953 as the cutoff. There were even some of the older type that shipped in 1953, but they were relatively few. Conversely, there may have been some tapered shoulder Magna stocks that shipped in 1952, but I've not seen very many confirmed examples. In any case, as with most things S&W, there was a phase-in period.

Here is a picture of two M&P revolvers from the mid-1940s. The upper gun has the prewar style checkering with the sharp shoulder. The bottom gun has the postwar style checkering, also with the sharp shoulder.

 

[JP@AK]

Here is a K-38 from 1956 with the tapered shoulder Magna stocks on it. You can see the difference by comparing this with the stocks in my previous post.

 

[jouesdeveau]

...
Here is a picture of two M&P revolvers from the mid-1940s. The upper gun has the prewar style checkering with the sharp shoulder. The bottom gun has the postwar style checkering, also with the sharp shoulder.

Many thanks, but now I've got to ask: what is the difference between the two types of checkering. Sorry for all the questions. My snubbie is pictured above: a 1946 with post-'52 stocks. I would like to get hold of the exactly correct originals that went with that 1946 model.

 

[JP@AK]

Look carefully at the extent of the checkering. The prewar style stocks had more coverage. It is most noticeable at the top, around the medallion.

Your gun shipped in late summer or early autumn of 1946. It is far more likely that it wore the postwar style stocks than the prewar style. However, I do show a very few with numbers higher than yours that shipped with the prewar style. So it is possible, but unlikely.

If you put postwar, sharp shoulder stocks on your gun, it will look right and will probably be right. Besides, the postwar style is much easier to find.

 

[jouesdeveau]

Look carefully at the extent Besides, the postwar style is much easier to find.

Good news!

 

[ladder13]

Hi!
I already have this one in my database (you supplied the info some time back). But I have one question. Is there a plugged swivel hole on the butt? I have one in my personal collection that is numbered only 80 numbers earlier than yours. It has a plugged hole. It appears from my research so far that they pretty much all did until about S819xxx.
Also, out of curiosity, what number is stamped on the right stock panel? Those appear to be stocks from the post-1952 period.
Thanks.

Jack, the stocks don't match as you know. They're 240888. Not sure about the plug thing,there's a faint circle there.

 

[JP@AK]

Jack, the stocks don't match as you know. They're 240888. Not sure about the plug thing, there's a faint circle there.

Thank you!

So, I'm thinking those stocks could be from one of the following:
C240888 from c. 1953 or K240888 from 1955. In both cases they would have the tapered shoulder, as yours do. Very unlikely they come from D240888, since by that time most Model 10s were shipping with PC Magna stocks without the diamond and yours clearly are not of that style.

The pic of the butt definitely shows a plugged swivel hole. Thanks for clearing that up.