Steel medallions?

[JP@AK]

I recently acquired a pair of K frame Magna stocks. These have the early postwar style checking, stamped steel washers and sharp shoulders, so, c. May, 1946 to late 1952.

Looking them over, I noticed the medallions looked different than any I'd seen before. So I got curious. I picked up a mechanic's magnet that always hangs on the side of my tool chest. When I got near the medallion on one of the panels, it literally jumped up off the bench to meet the magnet. They are steel.

Unfortunately, while the stocks are in quite decent shape, the first two digits of the serial number on the right panel are not legible, even under strong magnification.

What do we know about the steel medallions? Seems to me they were used only for a very short time. Anyone know what that span was, and when? I'm pretty sure they would have been prior to the short life of the plastic medallions, but I would welcome any information that is forthcoming.

Thanks!

 

[lamarw]

My K-38 Pre-Model 15 has the steel medallions and was manufactured in 1952. Unfortunately one of its former owners shaved the left stock for speed loader functioning. Another Forum member informed me these stocks were only produced for a very few years. I want to say maybe three or so years, but my memory is not a reliable source.

 

[skeezix]

My pre-15 shipped in 12/53. The stocks match the gun but do not have the steed medallions.

 

[Hondo44]

The stainless steel (didn't require nickel plating) and plastic medallions coincide with the years of the Korean war due to the brass shortage at the time caused by the voluminous ammo production required for the war.

I often wonder why we didn't see a similar medallions/brass shortage during WWII. Perhaps S&W had enough brass on hand for WWII, but it was depleted and not yet replenished by the time of the Korean war fairly close on the heels of WWII.

 

[OFT II]

Jim, the stocks made by S&W during the war didn't have medallions. Medallions didn't return until after V-J day.

 

[kscharlie]

Jack, on page 45 of SCSW 4th, 1st column: "In about 1953, the plastic medallions were replaced with steel medallions, which were in turn soon replaced by chrome plated brass medallions...". That's the entire extent of what I have ever found out about them. My Baby Chief, shipped in June 1953, has the steel medallions. I have a K-22 and a .32 RP both shipped earlier in '53 and neither of them have steel medallions.

Wish I knew more.

 

[JP@AK]

Jack, on page 45 of SCSW 4th, 1st column: "In about 1953, the plastic medallions were replaced with steel medallions, which were in turn soon replaced by chrome plated brass medallions..."

Yes. I'm aware of what the books says. Problem here is the stocks I possess have the sharp shoulder, which normally means they come from sometime prior to 1953. Of course it is entirely possible that they were leftovers that were not used until the more tapered shoulder stocks had come into use. If the first numbers were not gouged out on the right panel, we would have a better idea of when they were used. Unfortunately, the damage is severe enough that I cannot even tell if the number was 5 or 6 digits. Even that would help.

 

[Hondo44]

Jim, the stocks made by S&W during the war didn't have medallions. Medallions didn't return until after V-J day.

That's true and it likely kept the brass need way down. But the commercial M&Ps did use medallions and their low wartime production also helped.

 

[Hondo44]

Jack, on page 45 of SCSW 4th, 1st column: "In about 1953, the plastic medallions were replaced with steel medallions, which were in turn soon replaced by chrome plated brass medallions...". That's the entire extent of what I have ever found out about them. My Baby Chief, shipped in June 1953, has the steel medallions. I have a K-22 and a .32 RP both shipped earlier in '53 and neither of them have steel medallions.

Wish I knew more.

The steel and plastic usage are hit and miss, also it appears they were more often used on the less expensive guns like the I and J frames. The Korean war brass shortage reason came from Roy in his book "History of S&W" or in his comments.

 

[Hondo44]

Yes. I'm aware of what the books says. Problem here is the stocks I possess have the sharp shoulder, which normally means they come from sometime prior to 1953. Of course it is entirely possible that they were leftovers that were not used until the more tapered shoulder stocks had come into use. If the first numbers were not gouged out on the right panel, we would have a better idea of when they were used. Unfortunately, the damage is severe enough that I cannot even tell if the number was 5 or 6 digits. Even that would help.

There's just no telling, we've come to realize that S&W anomalies can almost be the norm sometimes. We just can't make order out of disorder with somethings S&W.

 

[lamarw]

If it is of any help, the SN on my K-38, mentioned above, is K159800. The SN on the right stock is matching. I can post pictures if desired.

 

[JP@AK]

If it is of any help, the SN on my K-38, mentioned above, is K159800. The SN on the right stock is matching.

That actually is a bit of help. As you noted, that serial is from 1952, the best we can tell. The Missouri 5" CMs started shipping in October, 1952, and were numbered in the K15xxxx range. The one I own is serial number K157144 and it shipped on October 3, 1952.