Postwar .357 Magnum Transitional Production

I'm curious about stocks (grips) on the early ones. I have a couple very early post war K's that shipped with pre-war style magnas. Was the factory producing post-war style N magnas in '46?
 
I'm curious about stocks (grips) on the early ones. I have a couple very early post war K's that shipped with pre-war style magnas. Was the factory producing post-war style N magnas in '46?


Yes. The first picture in post #1 above is serial# S71642 completed on 12/5/46. It was the first known .357 Magnum Transitional shipment. Note it is wearing original serial number matching post war Magna grips.
 
"Currently the highest listed short action serial number in the database is S76793 and it shipped on 6/29/50."

I own this one. It shipped to A.F. Stoeger Co. in NYC on 6/29/1950 in a shipment of 6 guns. They were all nickel.
I posted it in the forum at when I acquired it.
 
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"Currently the highest listed short action serial number in the database is S76793 and it shipped on 6/29/50."

I own this one. It shipped to A.F. Stoeger Co. in NYC on 6/29/1950 in a shipment of 6 guns. They were all nickel.
I posted it in the forum at when I acquired it.



Do you know the serial numbers of the other 5 Magnums in the shipment? If you can provide them I will add them to the database.
 
No, the S&W letter only lists mine. I haven't seen a basic S&W letter that listed multiple serial numbers no matter how many guns were in the shipment.
 
I'm not a member of the collector's assn. or the historical foundation so I have no access to those documents.
 
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I'm not a member of the collector's assn. or the historical foundation so I have no access to those documents.

One of the reasons to join.:) The SWCA is a great organization, lots of benefits for only $50 per year ($60 for the first year). If you pay for 5 years it is $200 or 40 per year. Benefits include:

1. Access to the databases maintained on the SWCA forum
2. SWCA Journal - three per year (great articles and information)
3. Access to Roy Jinks for ship dates (month/year) and answers to other questions
4. Discounts on Historical letters
5. Opportunities to attend the annual Symposiums, where you will see some amazing S&Ws, be instructed by subject matter experts, and get to rub shoulders and talk with some of the nicest and most knowledgeable folks in the gun community

Easily worth the price of the membership... and then some. Here's a link to get started:

Join Us – Smith & Wesson Collectors Association

The S&W Historical Foundation is also a great organization, dedicated to preserving the history of Smith and Wesson. There is no annual fee, but an upfront donation that I believe is tax deductible. It allows for you to participate in the preservation of the records and membership allows for an additional discount on Historical letters. Here's a link:

Membership – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
 
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