Mystery Grips

[janman]

Are these pre-war N Frame Service grips? I know they're N Frame because they fit my pre-war Outdoorsman and not my pre-war M&P. But the serial number stamped on the right panel (194426) is one digit too long isn't it?

Another note: What are the marks on the inside of the right panel near the screw hole? They look like they were made with the tip of an X-Acto #11 blade. Several of my older grips have identical marks in the same place.

 

[Hoosier45]

You are correct, prewar large medallion service stocks. Based upon serial number and condition I'm guessing these came off a 1937 Brazilian/Commercial 1917.

 

[DWalt]

Probably from a late 1930s commercial Model 1917. The style is definitely that of the 1930s.

 

[janman]

You are correct, prewar large medallion service stocks. Based upon serial number and condition I'm guessing these came off a 1937 Brazilian/Commercial 1917.

Were the serial numbers on the 1937 Brazilians different from the standard factory N Frames coming out at the time? In the late 1980's, I was involved in the unpacking and condition grading of a couple thousand of those Brazilian 1917's that were in a West Coast wholesale warehouse. Very few of them had commercial grips. Maybe that's where I got this set from because it was an oddity.

 

[DWalt]

Yes, they were serial numbered separately from the .44 HEs and the .357 HDs and Outdoorsman. I have no idea the number of the 1937 Brazilian contract 1917s which had commercial grips. The Brazilian 1917s were in the serial number range 181983-207043.

 

[janman]

Probably from a late 1930s commercial Model 1917. The style is definitely that of the 1930s.

Congratulations Sir, you're right. When I was grading all those imported Brazilian 1917's back in 1986 (?), I saved and purchased one of the best ones for myself. That serial number is about 150 digits off of the grips in my post. The best dozen or so of the 1917's (that were in mint condition) were reserved by the boss and sold to his collector clients.

 

[janman]

Ballpark value anybody?