bushmaster1313
Member
When were the turned up Plain Clothes grips first offered on a K frame?
When did K frame get Plain Clothes grips?
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They are K or N frame Magna stocks with rounded bottoms. Have a look at any photos of an original model 58 or 520, and variably on shorter barreled K frames. The J Magna stocks all have this contour.
Ohhhhhh! Okay, thanks...
I had heard the phrase 'Plain Clothes Grips' and just had no idea what it was referring to...so seeing the phrase appear again and asking, it is nice to find out!
Looks like a nice design variation.
I had heard the phrase 'Plain Clothes Grips' and just had no idea what it was referring to...so seeing the phrase appear again and asking, it is nice to find out!
Looks like a nice design variation.
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Texas Star
US Veteran
The idea is that the rounded grip would wear coat linings less.
They are listed in the 1950 Gil Hebard product catalog.
"They are listed in the 1950 Gil Hebard product catalog."
Are you sure? Gil didn't even start his shooting career until 1952 and I thought I had his first catalog dated 1955 and all that is shown from S&W is the K22, K38, the 1950 target .45, the 1955 target .45 plus the Target stocks for both K and N frames.
Of course I have been proven wrong before.
Mike
Are you sure? Gil didn't even start his shooting career until 1952 and I thought I had his first catalog dated 1955 and all that is shown from S&W is the K22, K38, the 1950 target .45, the 1955 target .45 plus the Target stocks for both K and N frames.
Of course I have been proven wrong before.
Mike
bmcgilvray
Member
I have a couple of Military & Police revolvers, one a 2-inch 304XXX and one a 4-inch 322XXX. They haven't been lettered but I've assumed that they are '53-'54 vintage and they have numbered "plain clothes" style grips. It would be interesting to find out which Forum member has the earliest M&P with original numbered grips in this style.
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Sebago Son
Member
Seems we've had this conversation before...
Here's a snap of the 1952 S&W "Centennial" Catalog...
...wherein the "Modified Magna" stocks were announced.
Here's the illustration to go along with the text....
Based upon my less than casual interest in this vein of research, Linde has the earliest set I've seen to date.... and what a set they are! Still, I haven't dug out all my loose stocks to date their numbers at this point....
Drew
Here's a snap of the 1952 S&W "Centennial" Catalog...
...wherein the "Modified Magna" stocks were announced.
Here's the illustration to go along with the text....
Based upon my less than casual interest in this vein of research, Linde has the earliest set I've seen to date.... and what a set they are! Still, I haven't dug out all my loose stocks to date their numbers at this point....
Drew
evolution of modified (PC) magnas
As with the horn on the standard magnas, the modified (PC) magnas also evolved . . . but in a slightly different way.
Here is a picture showing the C226070 stocks (on the 5" M&P) along with several others, including a standard magna. It's interesting to see how the bevel on the butt as well as the corners on the checkered area varied.
Russ
As with the horn on the standard magnas, the modified (PC) magnas also evolved . . . but in a slightly different way.
Here is a picture showing the C226070 stocks (on the 5" M&P) along with several others, including a standard magna. It's interesting to see how the bevel on the butt as well as the corners on the checkered area varied.
Russ
Sebago Son
Member
Modified Magna Stock Variations...
Russ,
Nice study.
"Horn Shape" should be considered a recognizable variation as well...
I have been told that the reason that the lower borders on the earliest 1952 era Modifieds is so irregular is that standard Magna blanks were used and the bottoms were simply rounded off... Later, as these stocks were tooled in purpose designed checkering jigs the border becomes more typical.
If you look at the earliest N-Frame Modifieds on 58's you will see the same thing.
Early 58:
It can be clearly seen in this photo that a cross cut was made to clean up the border after the stock panel had been shaped.
Late 58:
There are further developments and variations in the Modified Magna stock pattern later down the road as time marched on. Most notably with the thinning of the stock scales sometime in the late 70's to early 80's, probably to get the most out of every piece of walnut during the "Great Walnut Shortage Scare" at about that time. (It was widely rumored at the time that old walnut furniture was being hunted down and cut up for stocks). The thinner scales resulted in a flat spot in the stock horn above the medallion. This variation appears mid way through the Model 520 production as earlier 58 stocks on hand were depleted. The "Modified Magna-Flat" pattern also appears in K's at about this same time....
Drew
Russ,
Nice study.
"Horn Shape" should be considered a recognizable variation as well...
I have been told that the reason that the lower borders on the earliest 1952 era Modifieds is so irregular is that standard Magna blanks were used and the bottoms were simply rounded off... Later, as these stocks were tooled in purpose designed checkering jigs the border becomes more typical.
If you look at the earliest N-Frame Modifieds on 58's you will see the same thing.
Early 58:
It can be clearly seen in this photo that a cross cut was made to clean up the border after the stock panel had been shaped.
Late 58:
There are further developments and variations in the Modified Magna stock pattern later down the road as time marched on. Most notably with the thinning of the stock scales sometime in the late 70's to early 80's, probably to get the most out of every piece of walnut during the "Great Walnut Shortage Scare" at about that time. (It was widely rumored at the time that old walnut furniture was being hunted down and cut up for stocks). The thinner scales resulted in a flat spot in the stock horn above the medallion. This variation appears mid way through the Model 520 production as earlier 58 stocks on hand were depleted. The "Modified Magna-Flat" pattern also appears in K's at about this same time....
Drew
Sebago Son
Member
YIKES! What somepeople do to their M&P's...
Well, yeah....but of all my guns, this one's the tack driver!
bmcgilvray
Member
Thanks Drew, for the explanation. I always wondered why the bottom border of the checkered portion "sagged off" on my M&Ps' stocks.
Tunachaser
US Veteran
As with the horn on the standard magnas, the modified (PC) magnas also evolved . . . but in a slightly different way.
Here is a picture showing the C226070 stocks (on the 5" M&P) along with several others, including a standard magna. It's interesting to see how the bevel on the butt as well as the corners on the checkered area varied.
Russ
I have a new hero. Nice collection.
