Schwiebert Combat Grips?

[younggun22]

I picked up a box of random stocks and in the box were a set of combat type grips that caught my eye.

I have bought and sold a bunch of stocks over the years and have never heard of Schwiebert.

I did a little bit of research and the only mention I can find is in a 1978 issue of American Hangunner where the author says he was using a pair on his 6in Model 19. He gives an address of Los Oso California. I am assuming he was one of the many making stocks in that time period for the LAPD - Farrant, Hurst, Hogue, etc.

They are very high quality with palm swells, plugged screw escutcheon on the right panel, and dark wood with nice grain. They have an early hogue/ spegel look feel to them.

Does anyone have a set or is familiar with Schwieberts work? Would love any more information on them.

 

[PatriotX]

We would love some pics!

 

[SG-688]

What month in 1978 for the American Handgunner article?

I'm not pulling out anything with Schwiebert. Eager to see it.

Not to doubt you, but might the name be Schiermeier? Known mainly for stocks for the single shot Thompson - Center, but I have pictures of a pair for revolvers.

James Mason writing in the September, 1978 American Handgunner -- but no mention of a 6 inch Model 19.

SCHIERMEIER:
Laser-engraved handgun stocks
Elegant hand-craftsmanship
for the Contender, Smith & Wesson,
Colt, and for Single Action Rugers.

Box 704, Twin Falls, Idaho, 83301

 

[younggun22]

No sir clearly stamped “Schwiebert Combat Grips”

The American Handgunner issue was July/August 1978

I’ll get some pictures here shortly.

 

[younggun22]

Snapped a quick picture between meetings. They are very dirty but have no dings cracks or chips after initial inspection.

 

[SG-688]

The author: some guy named Evan Marshall.

The weapon used in testing the .357 Mag. loads, was the
above-mentioned S&W Model 19 with six inch barrel. The
weapon is unaltered except for a pair of grips from Schwiebert
Enterprises (1661 Tenth St., Los Osos, California 93402).
Proper grip design is a subtle art, and these grips tame even the
heaviest Magnum loads.


July, August, 1978 American Handgunner, Ammo Scene: the .357 Magnum by Evan Marshall. Vol. 3, No. 4, Page 62

The unusual exposed circle of the escutcheon on the inletting side is also a style point of the Del Rey mystery grip in the LAPD finger groove pattern.

Additional: 15 hits in a current Los Osos business directory - 5 decades later - for people named Schwiebert but no Schwiebert Enterprises as such. Busy folks.
Also nothing in the Gun Digest grip maker directories through 1993.

 

[hkcavalier]

Interesting. Kind of look like if older Hogues and a set of smooth Ahrends got together one lonely night and...

 

[Imissedagain]

A aft view picture, please.
Sailors love to see the swells.
Thx

 

[Vtgw938]

I see some similarities. Any chance those grips tak a 6-32 screw?

 

[ezb57]

All those towns are in my neck of the woods. Cambria is a short drive up the coast from Los Osos. The Hogue I know was in Atascadero until fairly recently which is also not far, just north and inland in San Luis Obispo county. I never knew that Hogue had any dealings in Cambria which is a quiet coastal town with no large commercial operations, much like Los Osos. Is bet there is a connection between the OPs grips and Hogue.

 

[younggun22]

Here are a couple pictures of the palm swells and the grips screw for those who were asking

 

[SG-688]

All those towns are in my neck of the woods. Cambria is a short drive up the coast from Los Osos. The Hogue I know was in Atascadero until fairly recently which is also not far, just north and inland in San Luis Obispo county. I never knew that Hogue had any dealings in Cambria which is a quiet coastal town with no large commercial operations, much like Los Osos. Is bet there is a connection between the OPs grips and Hogue.

From articles and the Gun Digest maker list, we've previously chased Hogue business addresses from Cambria, California in the early 1970's, and then Morro Bay late 70's with Atascadero showing up in 1982.

Sadly, no grip makers had a Del Rey address listed.

 

[Vtgw938]

Here are a couple pictures of the palm swells and the grips screw for those who were asking

Lots of Hogue flavor there and the screw appears the same as I have on several Guy Hogue sets being a brass fillister 6-32 with about a 0.78 inch shank.

I reached out to Patrick Hogue and this is his edited response:

"Here is some Hogue history for you.

Lou Schwiebert was an acquaintance of Guy Hogue. Apparently he was making grips under his own name. There was an early business partnership between Guy, Lou and James Mason for the first injection molded grips.

Interesting pair of grips. I would say Lou made them with guidance from Guy. 1978 would be the correct time.

Patrick Hogue
Owner Hogue Inc."

Patrick did not think the James Mason who worked with Guy & Lou was the same James Mason who wrote the book "Combat Handgun Shooting". Interestingly that book is loaded with Guy Hogue grips and references to working with him on grip designs. Patrick was a young boy when this partnership was gong on.

 

[younggun22]

Lots of Hogue flavor there and the screw appears the same as I have on several Guy Hogue sets being a brass fillister 6-32 with about a 0.78 inch shank.

I reached out to Patrick Hogue and this is his edited response:

"Here is some Hogue history for you.

Lou Schwiebert was an acquaintance of Guy Hogue. Apparently he was making grips under his own name. There was an early business partnership between Guy, Lou and James Mason for the first injection molded grips.

Interesting pair of grips. I would say Lou made them with guidance from Guy. 1978 would be the correct time.

Patrick Hogue
Owner Hogue Inc."

Patrick did not think the James Mason who worked with Guy & Lou was the same James Mason who wrote the book "Combat Handgun Shooting". Interestingly that book is loaded with Guy Hogue grips and references to working with him on grip designs. Patrick was a young boy when this partnership was gong on.

Thank you for reaching out to Patrick Hogue regarding these grips.

I do find it interesting that there is so little known about Schwiebert even though it seems that we had his own shop.

 

[SG-688]

.

I do find it interesting that there is so little known about Schwiebert even though it seems that we had his own shop.

Another California maker listed in the book by James Mason was J.M. Evans, 5078 Harwood Road, San Jose, CA. Sadly no grips pictured.

Ever heard of J.M. Evans? Me neither.

Addendum 2: Vtgw found a Jerry Evans making ivories. More to come.
I thought I had information on the Womack in the book and 1972 magazine article list - but I don't.

Addendum 1: We're chasing a couple of possibles for Lou still living or family.

 

[Vtgw938]

SG-688:

I have a set of Guy Hogue cut-frame grips marked J.M. on both panels. Just saying.

edited later:

J.M. Evans is Jerry Evans. I can only find reference to him making ivory grips.

 

[Imissedagain]

The swells seem to be lower than many others, in post #11,
but it might be the angle, that the photo was taken.
Lower swells, can keep the hand in a high position, if they fit.
Don't like the OEM monos on the X Frames, but some others,
are Swell.

 

[younggun22]

Did a little digging of my own on Louis Schwiebert

There was a Louis Schwiebert match on IMDB where he had small parts in two movies in the 80’s- 90’s. In at least one he played a Police Officer. In his bio it listed that he was also the owner of a ballistics card company.

The second match was in reference to a San Louis Obispo Police in 1978.

I don’t know if the stock maker, “movie star”, and SLO PO are the same guy but I could certainly see how the dots would connect.

 

[SG-688]

Success

I've made digital contact with Lou. He is the Ballistics guy.
Working out how all three of us can discuss with him.

 

[Vtgw938]

Some Schwiebert Answers:

Thanks to younggun22 for finding these and posting, Patrick Hogue for setting us on the right track and SG-688 for finding the grip maker himself (Lou Schwiebert) we have a few answers. Lou Schwiebert had a working relationship with Guy Hogue and learned the grip making trade from him, actually doing the inletting and such for Guy, who would than finish them. He made some grips on his own on a Sears drill press that he still has, sourcing hardware and even exotic wood from Guy. Apparently he sold his grips primarily to friends and fellow LEO's and his grips were not always marked. Haven't got all the details but he even made early monogrips with the Hogue medallion but not sure if he did this at Guy's shop or his own. Lou shared a pic of a few of his grips and I have attached the picture of one that is rather handsome.

Another question answered was that James Mason who collaborated with Guy Hogue and Lou Schwiebert on the the injection molded monogrip project is the one and the same James Mason who wrote "Combat Handgun shooting." SG-688 and I are trying not to overload Lou with questions but were are hoping to get more details in the near future.

Younggun22's Schwiebert combat grips found there way to me and are getting a little face lift. Thank you Nick. There aren't many more out there, but there are some to be found.