Smith & Wesson N Frame Stocks / Grips - A Reference Guide

[lestert357]

I am seeking information about these grips. I understand that the turned metal washers were used from ~1935-1946. I was wondering if the age of these could be narrowed down to a particular year based upon the markings shown on the washers. (U. S. Patent number and Smith & Wesson.) any input appreciated.

The short answer to your question is "no". The Pre-War Magna grips first appeared on Registered Magnums in August 1935. The washers on the early Magna grips were unmarked. Although there are a few outliers, the use of Magna grips such as pictured in your post essentially came to an end on the Pre-War .357 Magnums in December 1940. I do not know exactly when the washers on the Pre-War Magna grips transitioned from unmarked to marked with the patent number etc., but my guess is sometime during the 1936/1937 timeframe. Perhaps someone else can give you a better idea of when that transition occurred.

You can, however, date your grips from the serial number on the right side grip; it looks like 61545 to me - that would probably be about May/June 1940.

 

[Papa Lee]

Good information

Thanks very much for the information.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

Good food.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

Any Info On These?

Among my collection of S&W artifacts, is this nice set of gray laminate N-frame SB combat stocks. I picked these up when the store I worked at for 16 years folded their tents, and we cleared out all the accumulated odds 'n ends in the drawers and closets and cabinets of the gunsmith shop. I'm thinking they may be aftermarket from Altamont, but I really don't know for sure. If anyone has any insights about origin, year of manufacture, and approximate value, I'd sure appreciate it.

 

[T44spl]

Thank You for your contribution to the forum. This research took a considerable amount of time & effort to sort things out & to post the proper pictures of each generation & variant of grips. This is a tremendous aid to members attempting to identify and make "correct" the grips that their respective guns came with.
I would like to suggest perhaps making this an independent sticky of it's own so it is easier to find in the future and tweaked or added to as necessary. It would make future research a lot easier for the membership.

 

[Engine49guy]

Great informative thread,
Don't know how I missed it until today!

Not sure if it's considered "Minutia" but during the Korean war shortages of brass apparently motivated S&W to change the stock medallions from nickel coated brass to plastic then Stainless steel just prior to the end if that conflict, I feel it's interesting as these were only used for a short time but important to observe if a collector wants to find a period correct set of stocks for S&W firearms made in the 51-53 time frame.
Another bit of minutia is the checkering pattern used on target stocks made from 1950 to around 1962-63 ish which have a sharp turn at the heel backstrap turn where diamond target stocks used from around 63-67 have a pronounced rounded turn there.
Important to know when fitting era correct target stocks,
One last piece of minutia is that it appears that shorter SS escutcheon continued on non diamond stocks until perhaps around 1970ish when they changed to shallow brass escutcheon.

Thanks for taking the time and energy to produce such a great and informative thread!

 

[Jcon72]

Among my collection of S&W artifacts, is this nice set of gray laminate N-frame SB combat stocks. I picked these up when the store I worked at for 16 years folded their tents, and we cleared out all the accumulated odds 'n ends in the drawers and closets and cabinets of the gunsmith shop. I'm thinking they may be aftermarket from Altamont, but I really don't know for sure. If anyone has any insights about origin, year of manufacture, and approximate value, I'd sure appreciate it.

View attachment 668301 View attachment 668302

I don't think those are Altamonts (although they look VERY similar), but rather OEM S&W that were produced for a short time.

 

[Oldengineer]

Just simply outstanding. A treasure for us enthusiasts.
Tom H.

 

[Hawg Rider]

This body of work is definitely a great addition to the S&W knowledge base. I hope that Supica/Nahas can add any updates to the "SCSW 5th Ed." In the meantime, as others have suggested, is there a way to archive this post somewhere within the Forum which allows quick access to members for reference? I will attempt to save it to my Desktop because it truly provides a wealth of information. Thanks to everyone who contributed!

 

[mrcvs]

This body of work is definitely a great addition to the S&W knowledge base. I hope that Supica/Nahas can add any updates to the "SCSW 5th Ed." In the meantime, as others have suggested, is there a way to archive this post somewhere within the Forum which allows quick access to members for reference? I will attempt to save it to my Desktop because it truly provides a wealth of information. Thanks to everyone who contributed!

It's already in the Grips section of the Notable Thread Index, this being a Sticky.

 

[RKmesa]

Adding a set of pre-war N-Frame Magnas customized by Orville Kuhl:

 

[Hawg Rider]

It's already in the Grips section of the Notable Thread Index, this being a Sticky.

Thank you!

 

[1sg]

Awesome! Thanks for posting…

 

[boykinlp]

Adding a set of pre-war N-Frame Magnas customized by Orville Kuhl:

Richard, those are fantastic! I really wish there was someone that did that kind of magic for a decent price these days.
Larry

 

[DETROIT]

This is a great thread! Thank you OP

 

[mchom]

Agreed this post is very useful

I even printed it out for easy reference

Here's an unusual set…
Tuskoid


These have been on this forum before but I thought I'd add them here

 

[RevolverTelevision]

Pre war stocks for N Frames

Will pre war N frame stocks fit on my 63'-64' model 57?

 

[bruce5781]

Will pre war N frame stocks fit on my 63'-64' model 57?

Should be a hair too long.

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