The trouble with postwar magnas!

[The Gila Bender]

I guess this is all part of the fun of collecting vintage S&W's, right?

I've got a nice old shooter .44 HE 3rd model 5", #S68764, circa 1946, and having a heck of a time finding a set of diamond magnas that will fit. This set is number 73462, which are close, but not quite right. I've tried a couple others with the same results. Oh well, I'm accumulating a nice collection of high horns....

Here's a thought, a database of diamond magnas and their owners. Maybe we can reunite old HEs with their original magnas?

 

[The Gila Bender]

I guess this is all part of the fun of collecting vintage S&W's, right?

I've got a nice old shooter .44 HE 3rd model 5", #S68764, circa 1946, and having a heck of a time finding a set of diamond magnas that will fit. This set is number 73462, which are close, but not quite right. I've tried a couple others with the same results. Oh well, I'm accumulating a nice collection of high horns....

Here's a thought, a database of diamond magnas and their owners. Maybe we can reunite old HEs with their original magnas?

 

[GLL]

Originally posted by The Gila Bender:
"Oh well, I'm accumulating a nice collection of high horns...."

Please keep me in mind if you want to dispose of any of those "high- horn" magnas that do not fit your guns !

How about a photo of the right side of your 3rd Model ? Is it a "single line address" frame ?

S 73462 grips may be off of a later transitional Heavy Duty ! Perhaps Bill might know that gun.

I see a lot of variation in grip fit between pre-war and post war Outdoorsman frames. It is a common problem I think.

Do you live in Gila bend proper? I just drove through last Friday !

Jerry

 

[mtb1bkr]

Gila, looks like you forgot to put the drain plug back in last time you changed the oil in that car.

Bill

 

[The Gila Bender]

Yes, single address line on the right side of the frame. Two lines on the barrel, last date is Dec 29 14.

 

[sbachler]

Here's a thought, a database of diamond magnas and their owners.

2nd that, for I too am seperated from my magnas.

 

[mikepriwer]

What you are observing is exactly what should be happening. The grips were
custom-sanded to fit a specific frame, and then serial numberd to that frame.
Its very difficult to find a pair from another frame, that will fit right.

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[GLL]

As Mike indicates the grips were sanded to fit each frame, but the earlier grip frames do seem to be that tiny 1/16" longer as well.

Jerry

 

[JayCeeNC]

The early transition model N-frames were just a tad bit longer in the grip frame area. I have a transitional .38/44 Outdoorsman with the same problem.

 

[smithman29]

I will second JayCee's post. I own a near mint 1946 vintage transitional 38/44 Outdoorsman #S706XX that I acquired with vintage aftermarket walnut thumbrest targets. I found a near mint set of proper high horn magnas that unfortunately extend about 1/32" below the bottom of the grip frame. They still look great on the gun and will stay there for as long as I own it.

 

[handejector]

The transition guns are very difficult to fit grips to.
Even the long frames vary considerably. It can be very frustrating. Trust me here- I have had to find grips for several that were a pain. One often serches long for the right fit, and then the cond doesn't match.

 

[The Gila Bender]

OK boys, tell me if I'm just another obsessing accumulator seeking the impossible.

The 44 HE 3rd pictured above is going to be fitted with a set of Executioner stags. Ken (Toroflow1) let me handle one of his fine revolvers wearing Executioners and the fit and feel were excellent.

But wait, there's more!

I just received a postwar transition 38/44 HD converted to 45 Colt by Hamilton Bowen:

Notice anything missing?

I'm on the hunt for a set of custom ivories. Roy Fishpaw and Don Collins are not taking new ivory projects, and urethane imitations are not acceptable. 230grfmj recommended Dennis Holland of Lubbock, TX. Does anyone have contact information?

Once this baby gets a nice pair of shoes I'll post pretty pics.

-TGB

 

[Onomea]

Paul Persinger made the ivories above. He's in El Paso at 915-821-7541.

My .45 Colt HD Bowen conversion:

Engraving by Dan Love.

Edited to add: While I have not yet seen his work in the flesh yet, so to speak, Gene Beal is another fellow I learned about recently from a fellow forum member. Gene seems to do truly lovely ivory stocks/grips:

http://www.willyb.com/navigation_bars/Grips.html

Email: [email protected]

 

[The Gila Bender]

Absolutely stunning Onomea. Very, very nice. Thank you for sharing. Was the engraving done before or after the conversion? It's beautiful.

I'll contact Paul Persinger asap, and thanks for the referral to Gene Beal.

TGB

 

[1Aspenhill]

Gila Bend,
Your serial number is not in the HD list, sorry.
Bill

 

[GLL]

Onomea:

Stunning grips !

Jerry

 

[Onomea]

Thanks for the knd words, guys. As much as I brag on that gun and its stocks, I oughta start payin' for the privilege to post about it!

Gila, the engraving was done after the conversion, but while it was still in the white, before Bowen refinished it.

 

[haris1]

reuniting grips w original owners

Hi All,

I thought i would revive this thread. I thought of this idea and when i saw , it was not a new concept on my part!!!!

I think a database would be great and only the original owner who has to show a pic of their grip frame can get it!!!

shouldnt be too awfully difficult to key in Forum members name ,frame size, serial number

regards

haris1
swca 1382

 

[mojave30cal]

You might have to do what I did: harvest a set of ivories off
of a similar gun. I did that for my nickel pre-27 3.5", and
it worked out well. I then sold the donor gun.

 

[haris1]

Original wooden grips sought

I meant a database for the original magna or service grips that were numbered.

Haris