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01-22-2017, 11:47 AM
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The Many Faces of Fitz
I'm not sure why, but I have a hard time passing up a set of Fitz grips. Due a recent thread ( 38/44 Outdoorsman - Pre-23 W/Fitz Target Grips), I now know to look for the basketweave, which if I have ever seen, I didn't recognize as Fitz. But in the meantime, here are three of the more common variations plus one that I have never before seen or seen mentioned.
The first three are N frame walnut, K frame walnut, and N frame smooth rosewood. Note the block and script logos; the K frame is not signed.
The K and N frame grips have the same exterior dimensions. The K stocks are identified with a large "K" (logical), the N's have a "M" (?).
Thanks to member Jeroen in Holland, I just acquired these. Fitz made an Accu-Riser series of plastic pistol grips with adjustable palm shelf. Searching online images, I can only find one set in wood (on a Model 52) and none for a revolver. Jeroen advertised these as Fitz. If I had seen them on a table, I would have assumed they were European due to the open grain wood and coarse, flat-topped checkering.
Sure enough, inside the right panel is the Fitz logo as seen on the plastic Accu-Risers
What other styles of Fitz wood grips are out there?
Bob
Last edited by red9; 09-13-2017 at 09:30 AM.
Reason: add link
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01-22-2017, 12:03 PM
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The "M" may stand for Magnum, indicating an N-frame, as we see this same designation with some older holsters.
If you do some Googling, there's some history on Fitz, including experiences with German grip-makers, found on other forums.
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Last edited by -db-; 01-22-2017 at 12:05 PM.
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09-13-2017, 09:37 AM
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Finally found my set of Fitz basketweave. They came on a 1952 K38 which I don't "need", but I guess one cannot have too many K38's.
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09-13-2017, 09:48 AM
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Thanks for your posting, red9. My basketweave set is enough like yours I won't have to dig them out to photograph. I bought them with the idea of dressing up my 1948 K-22, but for some reason I never could warm up to having them instead of the original factory magnas. They're down in the basement somewhere, waiting for just the right K-frame to come along in need of new shoes.
Froggie
PS mine have the sort of semi-script Fitz on the bottom.
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09-13-2017, 11:58 AM
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I search on eBay from time to time for these along with other vintage bits like Tyler T-Grips and old holsters. I do have a set of the plastic Fitz targets that I currently have on my K22, but of course would much rather have wood!
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09-15-2017, 08:13 AM
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"What other styles of Fitz wood grips are out there?"
These came on a 1950 K22 that I acquired last December. With larger than average paws , these are the best fitting wood grips I've ever had. Would love to find more of these.
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09-15-2017, 09:22 AM
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This is an unknown set of mine but seem to have Fitz traits.
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09-16-2017, 08:59 AM
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Fitz made another style of grips called the "Gunfighter". They came in plastic and wood. I have a pair for an N frame but sorry, I ain't got no pics.
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09-16-2017, 12:28 PM
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Can somebody explain who "Fitz" is?
The only Fitz I'm familiar with is the Fitz from Colt that did the trigger guard chopping. Have never heard of a Fitz grip maker. I think I'm about to learn something new.
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09-17-2017, 12:49 PM
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Fitz grips
I apologize for my english, I hope you will understand anyway...
"Fitz" Paul Jones was a grip maker active in California (but he Made fabulous moulders for casting bullets) until his factory burned. I love his grips, particularly the wooden. The most famous were the semitarget model, as shown in this thread, in two main categories: ten-O-grip (made of plastic named Duramite) and cherrish wood. The style changed lightly in the years, mainly the logo in the bottom: caps characters carved at the beginning, rolled after a while, italic and fire-burned at the apex of the commercial activity. The checkering design was different in K and N frames grips, as the pattern in the left half-shell, in the thumbrest: here the k-type was half-checkered, i.e. serrated.
The rarest design was the basketwave (one of them has been sold some days ago on eBay). I'd never seen the smooth version until today! He made them for k and n frames, and for Colt I frame too (marked C inside). Other eccellent grips he made are the Gunfighter , a combat version: even plastic and wooden.
I don't have these last one, but they was very appreciated too.
Again, the semiauto series, for High Standard and Colt 1911 (Also woodsman perhaps).
Here in Italy these grips never was imported, but some single sample has ben purchased by travelers as me. Maybe Fitz realized some item by request: I lost the purchase of a full target revolver grip similar to a Morini grip the seller described as Fitz target with adjustable Palm rest, as shown some post before.
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09-17-2017, 12:51 PM
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08-13-2020, 10:55 AM
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Here I am again... found a very rare set of 1911 thumbrests , late production ( last years his grips were manufactured in the Philippines and sometimes in Germany).
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