Pre War K frame Magnas...How Common?

[barbsaurus]

This is the only set of pre-war magnas I've come across. How common are they? I've included photos of pre-war N frame magnas for comparison.

Now I need to find a pre-war K frame to put them on...

 

[Retired W4]

OK, So you have the cart, but you need a horse to pull those early (no patent date) magnas. I suppose you want one with the correct serial number. They look like someone took them off before they used the old K frame. Such a dilemma. I'm just kidding, of course. Best of luck. Some say the hunt is half the fun. I'm thinking a pre-WW I 32-20 would be prefect.

 

[murphydog]

Uncommon but hard to call them rare. When verified with a factory letter I recall most came on Target sighted guns.

Available in the later 1930s, but the majority of K frames stayed with service style stocks until the run-up to WW II.

 

[JP@AK]

I'm thinking a pre-WW I 32-20 would be prefect.

Why? Magna stocks didn't exist until about 1935.

 

[Retired W4]

Why? Magna stocks didn't exist until about 1935.

Yea, I realized my proposed perfect gun was way too early. My bad.

How about an Outdoorsman?

 

[cgt4570]

I have (or had) a very early post war transitional 4" M&P with plugged lanyard ring hole. It shipped to a PD with pre-war style Magnas and humpback hammer. That combo is kinda scarce.

 

[JP@AK]

I have (or had) a very early post war transitional 4" M&P with plugged lanyard ring hole. It shipped to a PD with pre-war style Magnas

Yes. Here is one that shipped in March, 1946. I've not found any with that style stocks that shipped later than April, 1946.

 

[Retired W4]

Post war stocks on this commercial SV M&P with plugged hole and S on the side plate. It would have been nice to have prewar magnas on it.

 

[paplinker]

Post war stocks on this commercial SV M&P with plugged hole and S on the side plate. It would have been nice to have prewar magnas on it.

This set was right on the cusp with pre and post war influence.

Sadly the serial number was eliminated.
The checking is very fine on this set.

 

[Retired W4]

Mine are blued machined steel with the indent for the round side plate screw, which the gun has.

 

[JP@AK]

This set was right on the cusp with pre and post war influence.

The checking is the postwar style.

The prewar "influence" is the sharp shoulder. It lasted until late 1952.

The blued machined washers are a postwar development on the K frames. The earliest I've found were on an SV gun that shipped on March 22, 1946. The highest number I've found with those washers is S820038, from April, 1946. Some M&Ps with that style shipped as late as June, 1946, but with lower serial numbers (an example is S819469). That one was shipped to the Mershon Company in Glendale, California.

 

[paplinker]

The checking is the postwar style.

The prewar "influence" is the sharp shoulder. It lasted until late 1952.

The blued machined washers are a postwar development on the K frames. The earliest I've found were on an SV gun that shipped on March 22, 1946. The highest number I've found with those washers is S820038, from April, 1946. Some M&Ps with that style shipped as late as June, 1946, but with lower serial numbers (an example is S819469). That one was shipped to the Mershon Company in Glendale, California.

Oddly the grip on the right side looking at the picture has checking that is finer than than the other side. At first I thought maybe that side was freshened up but examining them under bright light with glasses I cannot see any imperfections or hints that lead me to believe they were altered.

Did they use the same lines per inch pre and post war ?

Also thanks for the heads up on these type washers being post war.

I have had three Feb 1947 K frames all with the modern washer.

 

[JP@AK]

I have had three Feb 1947 K frames all with the modern washer.

The stamped steel washer first shows up on the M&P at serial number SV805991. That gun shipped in March, 1946. Up to the S820000 range all three types were used, with no discernable pattern, although the white (bare metal) machined type seems to disappear first. By mid-spring, 1946, only the stamped steel type is seen. Since target sight K frames were not yet being produced at that point, we would expect all of them to have Magna stocks with the stamped steel washers.

 

[Retired W4]

The stamped steel washer first shows up on the M&P at serial number SV805991. That gun shipped in March, 1946. Up to the S820000 range all three types were used, with no discernable pattern, although the white (bare metal) machined type seems to disappear first. By mid-spring, 1946, only the stamped steel type is seen. Since target sight K frames were not yet being produced at that point, we would expect all of them to have Magna stocks with the stamped steel washers.

For your data base Jack, mine is SV812256.

 

[JP@AK]

For your data base Jack, mine is SV812256.

Thank you. I'll add it.

SV812273 is the closest one already in the database. It also has a 4" barrel and postwar style stocks. It was an NYPD revolver.

 

[BlackAgnes]

 

[glowe]

Most of them were found on K22 Masterpiece (K22 Hand Ejector, 2nd Model) revolvers and there were about 1000 made before the war. Late 38s and 32-20s Targets also could have ordered them with Magnas. Those stocks would bring an easy $400 and likely more. There were way more pre-WWII N frame Magna stocks than K frame Magna stocks.

 

[Nimrod44]

I have a 5" M&P with the pre-war magnas, in the white machined washers, serial numbered to the gun S814745. This one has the small S stamped on the right side of the frame.

 

[beagleye]

I had a post war S series M&P with the pre-war magnas. I'll check and see if I can find a serial number in my records.