I recently requested Roy to look up the serial number of a set of unrelieved walnut target grips that I have. The number came back as a pre 29 so you can let your imagination go crazy as to what actually went on at the factory with that pair.
Just wanted to add to the confusion...........
Mike
Mike,
A couple of known scenarios of how these stock serial # anomalies from the 1950s N frames can happen, although not true in every case, here's two examples:
1. Sometimes "re-used" stocks are not re-numbered to match the gun that they're eventually used and shipped on. When an order came thru for a revolver with target grips, a lanyard swivel, certain barrel length, target sights, etc., and there were no assembled revolvers of that configuration as ordered, in inventory: a revolver(s) that matched the order as close as possible was pulled, target grips, drilled for a swivel, barrel length changed, or target sights were added.
2. Another case, on N frame 44 Mags for another reason: some 44 magnums were built on frames already in assembly with target stocks numbered for other Models, i.e., 1955 .45s. But if those guns are converted to 44 Mags because they were selling faster, they needed to have Coke targets, so the standard target stocks were thrown back in the bin to be re-used on later 1950 or 1955 models. This is why we sometimes discover a serial number stamped inside the right grip panel of non-44 Mags walnut target stocks that do not match the serial number of the revolver that wears them. And the converted 44 Mags wearing the serial #s of those stock numbers, have Cokes instead.
In one researched and documented example, a non- 44 Mag #S130833 is wearing stocks stamped #S130741 which, in actuality, became a Feb, 1956 shipped .44 Magnum. The target stocks were removed from that 44 Mag and replaced with cokes at the factory.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...16014-s130741-45-44-magnum.html#post139536804