Smith & Wesson N Frame Stocks / Grips - A Reference Guide
- Thread starter Hoosier45
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Pizza Bob
Member
Great info. Thanks.
Moderators, this needs to be "stickied"
Adios,
Pizza Bob
Moderators, this needs to be "stickied"
Adios,
Pizza Bob
blaser1234
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Wow!!!!!! Thank You, Thank You!!!!!!
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Comments added in Post 11
In the "fancy stock" category, this set is on a 3.5" pinto engraved 357 that letters as shipping in 1952.
It is widely believed that these were carved by Alvin White.
It is widely believed that these were carved by Alvin White.
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ordnanceguy
Member
Just excellent! Thanks for a great post.
One question I have that remains unanswered is a description of the various original stock finishes used by the factory, particularly on the Target stocks. Would you please offer up some information on that subject as well?
One question I have that remains unanswered is a description of the various original stock finishes used by the factory, particularly on the Target stocks. Would you please offer up some information on that subject as well?
Just discovered this thread and am glad I did. I love the older N-frames and this clears up a lot for me.
In the from-the-factory "fancy stock" category, this set letters as shipping on a pinto engraved 357 in 1952.
It is widely believed that these were carved by Alvin White.
Oh my goodness, Richard!! They are the prettiest stocks I have ever seen! If someone ever asks you what they are worth, I have the answer for you. They are definitely priceless!!!
Larry
Richard,
Here is similar pair of carved target grips which came on an engraved Reg. Mag. that I have. Not quite the detail of yours and missing the medallions and inlays but still a pretty nice hand. I have no idea who might have done the woodwork or metalwork.
Bob
Here is similar pair of carved target grips which came on an engraved Reg. Mag. that I have. Not quite the detail of yours and missing the medallions and inlays but still a pretty nice hand. I have no idea who might have done the woodwork or metalwork.
Bob
Attachments
OP
Smith & Wesson N Frame Stocks / Grips - A Reference Guide
Thank you all for the positive feedback. I had been working on this for a while and was at the point where I needed more feedback/opinions/research as I had exhausted my sources. I wanted this to be a fairly comprehensive overview and hoped that other knowledgeable collectors could assist in taking this a step further. It is somewhat intimidating to post something like this, as there is not really a bona fide correct answer for some of the items and dates discussed. Hopefully I have provided a good starting point and now we can refine some details, but I’d prefer that we don’t get caught up in the minutia. Although some would say we’re already in the minutia...
My goal is to establish some generally accepted time-frames and share information. If someone would like a more deep dive into a specific topic, may I suggest you start a new thread to discuss and we can revise this thread later. For example, the idea to discuss factory finishes used on wood stocks? Excellent idea and this is something I have long wondered about too. Also, I plan to start a separate thread on Custom Stocks, Sandersons, Ropers, Farrants, Hurst, etc. But that is another can of worms!
To Ralph and Lee, in regards to the Directive on Magna Stocks...
Thank you for your input. I will revise the language to reflect this. I know that customers could order and specify what they wanted including magnas vs. service stocks with(out) grip adaptor. What I meant in my original statement above was that Magna Stocks were to be made and supplied with the .357 Magnum but not that they replaced the Service Stocks. Both types were used and correct for the .357 Magnum.
I find the Sept. 5, 1935 Directive to be a little confusing. Was this a directive to start producing Magna Stocks OR to start producing Magnas with metal stock circles? I interpret this to mean that the Magna Stocks were built exclusively for the flagship .357 Magnum and were to be used as standard issue unless specifically ordered with Service Stocks. If a large law enforcement agency were to place an order for 50 .357 Magnums in the late ‘30s would they ship with Magnas or Service Stocks? As you know the .357 Magnum is a little different as you could specify almost any option you wanted which makes this somewhat of endless debate… but what is the more common/likely scenario
Serial Numbers:
“1929 – 1938: Checkered Diamond Service Stocks; Large Silver Medallion (*First Style of Stocks to have the serial number stamped on the inside of the right panel).”
I meant that it appears this style of stocks were the first style to have serial numbers stamped on them. The early ones appear to have pencil written serial numbers and at some point the stamped numbers emerge. Was hoping someone would have a “low” stamped serial number to share… I’m guessing an early 38/44 in the 3X,XXX serial range is a good guess?
Stock Circles:
Thanks Lee and Richard (RKMesa) for further guidance on stock circles. The early ones did not have patent dates and at some point they emerge with patent dates in the late ’37-38 time period. I think we’re all in agreement!
Lee (Handejector),
Great point on Walnut Stocks!!! You bring up some very good observations. Looking forward to any more photos or primary resources you have at your disposal. Especially from the WW1 period to WWII.
Thank you all for the positive feedback. I had been working on this for a while and was at the point where I needed more feedback/opinions/research as I had exhausted my sources. I wanted this to be a fairly comprehensive overview and hoped that other knowledgeable collectors could assist in taking this a step further. It is somewhat intimidating to post something like this, as there is not really a bona fide correct answer for some of the items and dates discussed. Hopefully I have provided a good starting point and now we can refine some details, but I’d prefer that we don’t get caught up in the minutia. Although some would say we’re already in the minutia...
My goal is to establish some generally accepted time-frames and share information. If someone would like a more deep dive into a specific topic, may I suggest you start a new thread to discuss and we can revise this thread later. For example, the idea to discuss factory finishes used on wood stocks? Excellent idea and this is something I have long wondered about too. Also, I plan to start a separate thread on Custom Stocks, Sandersons, Ropers, Farrants, Hurst, etc. But that is another can of worms!
To Ralph and Lee, in regards to the Directive on Magna Stocks...
Thank you for your input. I will revise the language to reflect this. I know that customers could order and specify what they wanted including magnas vs. service stocks with(out) grip adaptor. What I meant in my original statement above was that Magna Stocks were to be made and supplied with the .357 Magnum but not that they replaced the Service Stocks. Both types were used and correct for the .357 Magnum.
I find the Sept. 5, 1935 Directive to be a little confusing. Was this a directive to start producing Magna Stocks OR to start producing Magnas with metal stock circles? I interpret this to mean that the Magna Stocks were built exclusively for the flagship .357 Magnum and were to be used as standard issue unless specifically ordered with Service Stocks. If a large law enforcement agency were to place an order for 50 .357 Magnums in the late ‘30s would they ship with Magnas or Service Stocks? As you know the .357 Magnum is a little different as you could specify almost any option you wanted which makes this somewhat of endless debate… but what is the more common/likely scenario
Serial Numbers:
“1929 – 1938: Checkered Diamond Service Stocks; Large Silver Medallion (*First Style of Stocks to have the serial number stamped on the inside of the right panel).”
I meant that it appears this style of stocks were the first style to have serial numbers stamped on them. The early ones appear to have pencil written serial numbers and at some point the stamped numbers emerge. Was hoping someone would have a “low” stamped serial number to share… I’m guessing an early 38/44 in the 3X,XXX serial range is a good guess?
Stock Circles:
Thanks Lee and Richard (RKMesa) for further guidance on stock circles. The early ones did not have patent dates and at some point they emerge with patent dates in the late ’37-38 time period. I think we’re all in agreement!
Lee (Handejector),
Great point on Walnut Stocks!!! You bring up some very good observations. Looking forward to any more photos or primary resources you have at your disposal. Especially from the WW1 period to WWII.
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bushmaster1313
Member
This is so good I saved it on my computer
Thank you for putting it together
Thank you for putting it together
Good gravy, that's an amazing post. Many thanks for taking the time to research, assemble, and share. What a great forum!
Very informative and very well done. Also, great photographs!
Thanks much for the effort to put this info together in such a clear and organized fashion. I really appreciate it.
Jerry
Jerry
Chubbo
Member
Thanks for your great job. all of us really appreciate it. Now, I being old, and a computer illiterate dummy, have to find a way to store it on my computer.
Chubbo
Chubbo
Gordyf808
Member
I second the motion! Great reference.
OP
I added a few more photos as well as updated a few sections with more refined dates/information. I will continue to revise this going forward with better photos of nicer stocks as I acquire them.
helilogger
Member
Thanks so much for this information. So, if I have a 1950 44 Special SN 146xxx Target model, could it have been shipped with Magnas? Thanks!
Dave
Dave
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My Mod 1950 .45 Target letters as having been shipped with Magnas in 1954. So, I'd think so.
