Smith & Wesson Magna Grips

[Niederlander]

Gentlemen,
       Does anyone here know when Smith & Wesson began using the Magna grip?  Thanks!

[Peachey Carnehan]

From what I've seen, they were introduced in 1935.

[Niederlander]

Thank you!

[Bat 2919]

Not that I don't believe you but could you provide some supporting information for the 1935 date please?

Thanks
G Man

[Peachey Carnehan]

No problem, here's some of what I found.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/184581-why-did-s-w-even-bother-magna-grips-n-frames.html

http://www.smithandwessonforums.com/forum/s-w-revolvers-1945-present/10332-look-what-followed-me-home-3.html

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Grip+adapters%3A+a+less-expensive+alternative+to+custom+revolver+stocks.-a0200505182

http://books.google.com/books?id=MWFXRDeFrpsC&pg=PA219&lpg=PA219&dq=S%26W+magna+grip+introduced+in+1935&source=bl&ots=wxaVBzZ5T3&sig=XGFaGMtWtha5_zjJzWpT2v2P3OM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JF94UP3mNYjhiwLmjIHYCA&ved=0CEkQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=S%26W%20magna%20grip%20introduced%20in%201935&f=false

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/257236-picture-grips-1935-reg-magnum.html

http://www.shootingtimes.com/2011/01/03/handgun_reviews_smith_12_0507/

http://www.sixguns.com/BookOfThe44/bot44c08.htm

[Bat 2919]

My mistake, the term Magna brought the oversize wood grips of the 1970's to my mind.  It appears those were actually called "Target" grips.  Any idea when the target grips we introduced?

Thanks

[Peachey Carnehan]

Most of the target grips that I've found appear to be marketed from the early 1960s onward for the K and L frame square butt revolvers, and depending on the model and type, it looks like from the early 60s and prominently into the late 1970s. They were offered from S&W and Sile and others. I will say that I did find this:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/printthread/Board/26/main/261587/type/thread

About a quarter way down the page illustrates some early target grips, apparently borne from people being unsatisfied with the magna/factory offering and a T grip.

I also found this:

http://www.snipercentral.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=33577

So we've got provenance for 'pre-1959' at least. I have found a couple of references going back to various target grips to 1952. The earliest though aside from the 60s/70s that I found was in the link above. Hope that helps!