Magna Stocks and approximate value?

[socal s&w]

Good day Everyone --=--

I recently bought a pair of older Smith & Wesson stocks, I have reviewed them in the SCS&W yet still am unsure of their exact year range or what they are for that matter.

So;
S&W Magna Diamond Center, Checkered Stocks?
Per the SCS&W, these appear to be from between 1934 and 1941 (from my review of the Catalog). This seems to align with the serial number of 305877 stamped on the back. Upon close examination with a magnifying glass, I can barely make out where it looks to have had the 'filler' grips installed, furthering the approximate time line as those were available along 1934 or so. I can just make out the 'tabs' on each side of the stocks. The screw also seems to be extended to accommodate the filler.
They are not relieved for the side-plate screw head and have black/blued rear escutcheons that are slightly concave to the center pin. They are square butt, not round and the checkering outline is not as arched at the top as earlier ones in the Catalog, flatter if you will.
They seem to me to be between Excellent and Good condition, there are some very minor checkering flaws and the silver colored S&W insignias don't necessarily align (straight up and down with the wood). You can see the minor checkering flaws just to the upper right of the Diamond Center.
I have looked at some old posts for stocks and am still not convinced which ones I may have.
Might anyone have an idea on an approximate value for these stocks? I picked these up and would like to sell them as I don't have anything as old as these should fit.
Thank you!
mike

 

[Muley Gil]

Those are post WW II. Per the serial number of 305877, pre war N frames SNs only went up to 5 digits. These date to about 1968. I would put a value of $75-$100 on them.

Pre war Magnas had greater checkering coverage and had machined aluminum discs instead of the stamped discs shown.

 

[JP@AK]

Muley Gil is absolutely correct - those are definitely postwar.

My question: are we sure they are N frame?

Also, maybe my eyesight isn't so good, but are the shoulders sharp? I don't see much taper. That would put them in the early 1950s at the latest. The problem is the serial number would not fit a C prefix K frame in the period of the sharp shoulders, since those went away in late '52 or early '53. You end up with the same problem you face with the N frames.

So maybe the shoulder is tapered after all.

 

[Absalom]

....
My question: are we sure they are N frame?

Also, maybe my eyesight isn't so good, but are the shoulders sharp? I don't see much taper. That would put them in the early 1950s at the latest. The problem is the serial number would not fit a C prefix K frame in the period of the sharp shoulders, since those went away in late '52 or early '53. You end up with the same problem you face with the N frames.

So maybe the shoulder is tapered after all.

The optics are a bit tricky, but these shoulders do not look pronounced enough for "sharp-shoulder magnas" to my eyes. Particularly the right one seems well-rounded. That would make C 305877, ca. 1955, a viable candidate.

Compare the "fold line" (for lack of a better word) on the OP's picture with my confirmed 1947 vintage. Admittedly not the same angle, but still comparable and noticeably different.

 

[Doc44]

Based on the photos, I would guess the stocks date to 1956 and are for a K-frame revolver.

Bill

 

[DWalt]

They are for a K-frame. From a picture of the front side, it is difficult to tell K grips from N grips, but no problem if you look at the back side. The (C)305877 SN suggests 1954-55. There can be no mistaking the visual differences between pre-war and postwar Magnas.

Did you buy them for an existing gun? Similar grips are VERY common to find on eBay, in the $20-$40 range depending upon condition.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

As I learned here, a quick way to tell pre-war from post-war stocks is to look at the border around the checkering. If the corners are sharp, they are pre-war. If rounded, like these, they are post-war.

 

[smith17]

When measuring the bases, front to back, K frames are 1 3/4" and Ns are 1 7/8".

 

[butchkent]

Just one comment that could impact the $30-40 value. Based on pics, the shoulder on right grip seams more rounded than on left. If this is true, the RH grip may be from a later pair or could have been worked down to remove handling marks. I agree with assessment of mid-50's vintage. Have just recently purchased a couple pair looking for better replacements for one of my pre-model number K38 Combat Masterpiece.

 

[DWalt]

I forgot to mention that in my earlier posting. The grips appear to be mismatched in shoulder style.

 

[gmborkovic]

The right grip is N, the left is K.

 

[DWalt]

The right grip is N, the left is K.

And so they appear to be. I wasn't looking closely enough.

 

[socal s&w]

So, they are not even a match? Dang, I guess that they have no real value then.
Thank you so much for all of the expert help here.
This place is always so awesome!

mike

 

[JP@AK]

The optics are a bit tricky, but these shoulders do not look pronounced enough for "sharp-shoulder magnas" to my eyes. Particularly the right one seems well-rounded. That would make C 305877, ca. 1955, a viable candidate.

Yep. I'm with you now. Definitely post-1952.

Because of the checkering pattern, there was never any doubt they were postwar. The only question was how long after the war. I also am convinced they are K/N frame stocks (one of each).

Thanks for helping me out, Absalom.

 

[JSR III]

Just for reference can you post a photo of the two stocks placed butt to butt with one corner aligned? This will clarify the N/K size relationship.

 

[RKmesa]

I'd guess that they are both K Frame panels. The right grip cannot be a N- Frame SN, because at 305XXX I believe that the diamond centers would have been eliminated... Also looking at them from the top side they appear to be the same size. Because of the angle of the photo, I think the back side photo distorts the right panel so that it looks a little larger than the left. But easy enough to see if they are put back to back...

 

[JP@AK]

You might be correct, Richard. They do look to be different size in his pic, but you make a good point. I think James has the answer. We need to see them butt to butt.

 

[-db-]

They are perfectly matched non-sharp shoulder diamond K-frame magnas. Sharp shoulders will bring closer to $100, these closer to $50.

 

[Paul Gonzales]

I found a s&w 38 ctg regulation police nickle plated 5 shot last date on barrel is Dec 29 14 and the number 564 is on it on the front of handle frame and a couple other spots also the number 802 is behind the drum extractor pin once them are the only identification marks i have can u tell me what i have

 

[Hoosier45]

Both K-frames...$50-60.