Pre-war K Frame Magnas?

[cooperduper]

So, a long while back I posted a question about an M&P I have. These were on it in the picture and several folks expressed that they may be pre-war magnas. Are they? And what's the significance of that if they are? As you can see, they are not numbered to a gun. A price of $2.50 is penciled on the right grip. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[VM]

They are indeed prewar magnas and very valuable.
In their condition, I would expect that they {could} sell for one hundred times that original price.

Nice score

 

[GF]

What are the different sized holes for above the silver dishes?

GF

 

[RKmesa]

HOLES

What are the different sized holes for above the silver dishes?

GF

They are relieved to fit over the pins/rounded screw head that are exposed on the pre-war guns. On postwar guns the pins were filed smooth with the flats of the gun and the most rear screw head was made flat rather than rounded.

Hope this helps.

 

[DWFAN]

Those have been refinished. If you look carefully at the upper border you can see it has been re-cut a little too wide. In fact all the borders were re-cut along with the checkering. Notice how the sides are deeper than the top and bottom. They should meet at those points in the corners. Notice how the checkering does not flair up on the top and bottom. Only on the upper left panel is this flair still there. Still Valuable but just a refinish.
DW

 

[smith17]

I have 4 sets of un-numbered pre-war K magnas that are cut the exact same way, deeper on the margins. I have always believed, and still do, that some were originally cut deeper than others. I also have an original set on a near mint pre-war gun that are cut that way.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Pre War "K" Magnas

Unfortunately, I only have one set but they are identical to those without the patent dates on the machined washers on the inside, sure hope they are not refinished.

 

[RKmesa]

Unfortunately, I only have one set but they are identical to those without the patent dates on the machined washers on the inside, sure hope they are not refinished.

I too only have one set of pre-war K's (and a bunch of pre-war N's) and the OP's grips also look "right" to me although all of mine are a bit darker. I will also readily acknowledge that DW knows more about S&W grips/stocks than I most likely ever will know.

 

[cooperduper]

I have to admit I have no idea where these came from or history, etc. They appear, on the surface, to have no sign of other than original finish. But I am no expert.

My real question is more to the history of this type of grip. How many? Why changed? Any interesting info or pictures of others would greatly interest me. These came on a target model with rough finish I gave a buck and a quarter for.

 

[DWFAN]

Let me go a bit further with my deductions.
I have restored only two pair of these so far and they do differ from their N frame counter parts but not much. The most notable being the upper groove. Most N frames are V shaped, K's are round.
Look at the upper border again, the smiley part. In the top edge of the groove near the bottom there is a second edge. This was a one step operation so the second edge is questionable. The bottom groove is V shaped. The lower ledge of the checkering should be almost flat. Not a true 45 degrees. The checkering should V into the corners.
Note the center diamonds. The darker color on the edges and the heavy edge of the eschucions. Also the inside edge is sharp. They have been sanded down. When looking at the left panel the line above left and lower right should not be checkered. The opposite for the right panel. I won't belabor this anymore. I'll stick by my assessment.
DW

 

[DWFAN]

These came on a target model with rough finish I gave a buck and a quarter for.

You did very well. Without question these would bring $400 plus anytime. Money in the bank. They will only go up in value.
DW

 

[Hammerdown]

Hello
I have seen these with the Metal disc's before, and notice some had "Patent., applied" or Patent. pending I can't remember for sure which stamp was on them, and others with Patn. Number's stamped into them. Anyone care to elaborate on that feature ? Could it be the ones without Patent number's stamped in them were for earlier guns or models different than The Registered Magnums ? Regards, Hammerdown

 

[RKmesa]

Hello
I have seen these with the Metal disc's before, and notice some had "Patent., applied" or Patent. pending I can't remember for sure which stamp was on them, and others with Patn. Number's stamped into them. Anyone care to elaborate on that feature ? Could it be the ones without Patent number's stamped in them were for earlier guns or models different than The Registered Magnums ? Regards, Hammerdown

Hammer:

It is my experience that the patent dated disks were put on the later vintage (1939-1940) stocks and that earlier pre-war magnas did not have the patent information stamped on the disks. This is based on about 12-15 pairs of prewar magnas that I own, so my sample size is pretty small.

 

[Camster]

I would have guessed original.Thank you for your assessment DWfan.
I suppose one thing to note is the line/crack on the one on the left ,upper right side of the "smiley".That might be a clue if they were reworked.