Pre-war Magnas on Postwar, Transitional N Frames?

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I was going through some old All Models Circulars today and found one from 1946 which has pics/illustrations of several N frame revolvers exhibiting pre-war magna stocks, including the ones in this scan. Shown are the 1926 Model .44 Miltary and the 1917 Army.
Just wondering if anyone has documentation of these stocks on N frames after postwar production resumed. I have only seen them on K frames.
 

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You probably know that the pre-war N frame grip frames were just a bit longer than the post-war frames. When production resumed after the war, there were some left over pre-war parts. At least a few guns were assembled with the longer grip frames and shipped with pre-war Magna stocks. The AMCs are notorious for not being up to date with the illustrations. For instance, I have a 1941 AMC that shows the guns with the small trade mark on the left side. That was changed to the right side in 1937.
 
" At least a few guns were assembled with the longer grip frames and shipped with pre-war Magna stocks."

This is what I was asking. I have just never seen one or even a picture of an actual revolver of that period with those stocks.
 
" At least a few guns were assembled with the longer grip frames and shipped with pre-war Magna stocks."

This is what I was asking. I have just never seen one or even a picture of an actual revolver of that period with those stocks.
Interesting question, I have not ever come across a correctly numbered N frame prewar style grip on a postwar gun. Only the long early post war sharp shoulder style.
 
Same here. Years ago there was a thread regarding a .357 magnum that I think was a transitional gun that a forum member bought but the Fedex plane went down with the revolver in it. Maybe a gentleman from Louisiana. I still have a photo etched in my mind that it was wearing prewar magnas. Could be wrong.
 
Same here. Years ago there was a thread regarding a .357 magnum that I think was a transitional gun that a forum member bought but the Fedex plane went down with the revolver in it. Maybe a gentleman from Louisiana. I still have a photo etched in my mind that it was wearing prewar magnas. Could be wrong.

That gun was not a transition .357, it was a 1950 model with standard diamond magnas.
 
One example comes to mind. Roy Jinks said after the war the factory had 10,868 1917 Army frames on hand that had been manufactured in the 1930s. They were assembled and sold as late as 1949.
My 1941 S&W catalog shows the gun with Magna stocks. Assume the guns shipped after the war would have Magnas also. If they were 1930s frames I think they would need the pre-war length stocks.

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I was going through some old All Models Circulars today and found one from 1946 which has pics/illustrations of several N frame revolvers exhibiting pre-war magna stocks, including the ones in this scan. Shown are the 1926 Model .44 Miltary and the 1917 Army.
Just wondering if anyone has documentation of these stocks on N frames after postwar production resumed. I have only seen them on K frames.
I have never seen a Post War Transition N Frame with Pre War style grips.


One example comes to mind. Roy Jinks said after the war the factory had 10,868 1917 Army frames on hand that had been manufactured in the 1930s. They were assembled and sold as late as 1949.
My 1941 S&W catalog shows the gun with Magna stocks. Assume the guns shipped after the war would have Magnas also. If they were 1930s frames I think they would need the pre-war length stocks.

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Those 1917s had Post War Transition Magnas.
 
Thanks Lee, what is the difference? I come here to learn and have to say I do not know much.
A frame built in the 1930s has the longer grip frame and would need longer grips I think.
What is the difference between a Pre-War Magna and a Post War Transition Magna?
 
What is the difference between a Pre-War Magna and a Post War Transition Magna?
Checkering Pattern and medallion size---
Pre War- Border has square corners, 1/2" medallion
Post War- Border has rounded corners, 3/8 medallion.

Look at the AMC in Post #1 for both types.
 
Thanks Lee, I usually learn something here. If you have never seen a post-war N frame gun with pre-war Magnas I am willing to concede that such guns do not exist. I was thinking length, not medallion size and checkering pattern.
 
Thanks Lee, I usually learn something here. If you have never seen a post-war N frame gun with pre-war Magnas I am willing to concede that such guns do not exist. I was thinking length, not medallion size and checkering pattern.
Length is another factor. Until recently, I was also unaware that early post-war N frame stocks were longer. IIRC, the length of the butt frame was shortened at around serial number S72000. Guns prior to that serial number had slightly longer frames, thus the stocks were also slightly longer. Here are a few pics to show some differences.

Comparison of early stocks to newer ones: early serial # 65754
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Comparison of early post-war to pre-war magna, showing medallion and checking differences:

1754591796255.jpeg
 
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