Fuzzy Farrant and the 1955 Target....
- Thread starter gizamo
- Start date
Giz,
Here's a crazy idea ... Have you thought of lettering the gun? It may have shipped to an LA connection to one of the aforementioned LAPD folk - and, with a set of "proper" Fuzzy or Stark grips, be worth something more than it is with factory "correct" grips. I think you should chase this one down.
Just a thought,
Jerry
Here's a crazy idea ... Have you thought of lettering the gun? It may have shipped to an LA connection to one of the aforementioned LAPD folk - and, with a set of "proper" Fuzzy or Stark grips, be worth something more than it is with factory "correct" grips. I think you should chase this one down.
Just a thought,
Jerry
S&W 10
Member
Are Farrant grips difficult to find and/or desirable?
I have a walnut (?) pair that were on an well worn 4 screw model 28 I purchased in the mid 80's and was told by an older LEO friend they are Farrents; the type that did not require cutting the frame. They are pretty interesting, but I don't really collect law enforcement items and would like to see someone who can appreciate these get them.
I may put them in the classifieds here one day; just to get them into the proper hands (pun semi-intended).
I have a walnut (?) pair that were on an well worn 4 screw model 28 I purchased in the mid 80's and was told by an older LEO friend they are Farrents; the type that did not require cutting the frame. They are pretty interesting, but I don't really collect law enforcement items and would like to see someone who can appreciate these get them.
I may put them in the classifieds here one day; just to get them into the proper hands (pun semi-intended).
The thing about assuming that all grips that fit a cut-corner frame are Farrants, is that they are
not necessarily Farrants ; its equally likely that they were made by
Walter Stark, or by Juhn Hurst. Unless they are expressly marked by
the maker, it's misleading to assume that they are Farrants.
Later, Mike Priwer
not necessarily Farrants ; its equally likely that they were made by
Walter Stark, or by Juhn Hurst. Unless they are expressly marked by
the maker, it's misleading to assume that they are Farrants.
Later, Mike Priwer
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It's nice to see some support for the stockmakers that believed in "form follows function", rather than the "butcher" comments that seem to prevail. This design was utilized by Farrant and Hurst to be among the first shooters to break into the esteemed 2600 Club for NRA bullseye shooters.
Mike- As far as being marked, none of the sets I purchased directly from him are by name. Are yours, or any one elses?
Also, some of the LAPD connected members might confirm this, but I think Fuzzy's son(s) carried the business on for a short time after his death.
Good shooting.
Mike- As far as being marked, none of the sets I purchased directly from him are by name. Are yours, or any one elses?
Also, some of the LAPD connected members might confirm this, but I think Fuzzy's son(s) carried the business on for a short time after his death.
Good shooting.
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I took a chance and called the phone number that I had for Fuzzy a couple of {maybe longer} years ago and talked to one of his sons. He told me ,at that time, that his father had died the year before. From my understanding, Fuzzy's sons all helped in the business at one time or the other but the business ended when Fuzzy died. It truly is a shame because his stocks were the best. I must also admit that I very much like Spegal and Hogue for using guns and our own Keith Brown and of course Paul Persinger for classic guns .
Fred
Mine are made by Walter Stark. I know that because LAPD Chief
Ed Davis told me that Walter made both pairs of stocks for him.
I don't know if any of Farrants stocks are marked by him. My point
is that while I see comments about Farrant cut-frame stocks, unless
someone knows, for a fact, that Farrant made them, they could just
as well been made by Stark or Hurst.
The LAPD folks understand this very well, and some of them can
tell the difference.
Later, Mike Priwer
Mine are made by Walter Stark. I know that because LAPD Chief
Ed Davis told me that Walter made both pairs of stocks for him.
I don't know if any of Farrants stocks are marked by him. My point
is that while I see comments about Farrant cut-frame stocks, unless
someone knows, for a fact, that Farrant made them, they could just
as well been made by Stark or Hurst.
The LAPD folks understand this very well, and some of them can
tell the difference.
Later, Mike Priwer
Chuck Jones
Member
Here's a model 14 set up like the ones I saw on the Venice Beach detail in the '70s. I swear it was like the whole detail were PPC shooters. I remember thinking hey this is a sweet detail, I bet it's reserved for the pistol team. They all had 6 inch guns, some with full bomar ribs, in these long swivel holsters. Coming from Chicago (to attend USC) I'd never seen a 6 inch police revolver, ever!
/c
/c
dan belisle
Member
I had a 5" 28 with the grip modified for those stocks. Unfortunately it had a set of Pachmeyers on it when i bought it. - dan
Gun-runner
Member
Especially if you have girly-man hands like mine! Those grips look great and comfortable.
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I imagine when it was done, it did not possess the value it has today, nor did the owner imagine that it would.
Still a great shooter, regardless. Be sure to use oversized cast bullets.....throats came a little large from the factory in the early days. It will tighten your groups considerably.
Pictures from Joe
From Joe Kent's accumulation: One of these is not a Farrant, but a copy made by a local wizard.
Another Farrant copy, the short lived Custom Wood.
I had planned to post more of Joe's grips this week, but family business has interrupted. Coming soon.
From Joe Kent's accumulation: One of these is not a Farrant, but a copy made by a local wizard.
Another Farrant copy, the short lived Custom Wood.
I had planned to post more of Joe's grips this week, but family business has interrupted. Coming soon.
OIF2
Member
Awesome! The pair on the nickled M15 (?) looks a lot like something that Walter Stark might have made. Nice Farrants.
Bob
Bob
Allen-frame
Member
This thread still kicking?
I have this pair I traded for last year. As stated, unless signed,
there is no actual way to know who the maker was.
I guess they're Fuzzy like?
Regards , Allen
I have this pair I traded for last year. As stated, unless signed,
there is no actual way to know who the maker was.
I guess they're Fuzzy like?
Regards , Allen
gunteach
Member
I could not help but post my 1950
I purchased this Farrant modified Modfel 1950 and I had the barrel cut and crowned at 5" from the stock 6 1/2" and had a Mcgivern gold bead front sight added. Reblue, Ahrends grips, and a C. Rusty Sherrick holster...
Attached is the before and after pictures.....
I love smoking the kids with glocks during training.....
I purchased this Farrant modified Modfel 1950 and I had the barrel cut and crowned at 5" from the stock 6 1/2" and had a Mcgivern gold bead front sight added. Reblue, Ahrends grips, and a C. Rusty Sherrick holster...
Attached is the before and after pictures.....
I love smoking the kids with glocks during training.....
Attachments
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Hey, back then, there wasnt much if any difference in price between what you call a "high end" 1955 target or a model 27. Wheather it was a smith, colt or winchester back then, we bought a new gun and modified them with grips, scopes, sights or whatever, to our personal likeing. We didnt have in mind preserving the gun for a collector 50 years in the future. I have bought new guns back then and didnt even bother haveing the shop look for the boxs! We had a lot to learn!
feralmerril, boy are you ever right, SG-688 has been giving me "hell" for always throwing away the boxes and paperwork when I would get another new gun. Believe me, I haven't
for the last 20 yrs. or better, but I also kick myself for the past.
for the last 20 yrs. or better, but I also kick myself for the past.
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