So I was wandering the tables at the Utah Gun Collectors Show today and caught a look at a whole box full of franzites. As I searched through the cardboard box I spotted several pairs. I couldn't resist. You know how I love grips of various kinds.

Please don't judge me, I know I have a problem but just look at those crisp edges and shiney medallions.

So I started and finished my collection of franzites today. Can't say I see the pre-war K and N frame magna types floating around all that often. So for just a couple of benjamins, I couldn't go wrong.

If you need a pair of N frame target Franzites for the collection, send me a PM.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Sweet . . . . .

Those grips should be called dangerfields because they ordinarily don't get no respect. But a type collection like that one actually has something going for it. I like that.

I have some eye-busting Halloween franzite stocks that came to me on a prewar .38-44 -- black, brown, orange. If the gun didn't scare a miscreant, the grips would have.



The gun has Grashorn stags on it now -- looks a lot better.

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David Wilson

The collection is complete? I don't see any stags!

You do have a point, but I like the kind of factory look. Not sure I am doing any justice to the term "factory" when describing franzites.

David,
I do believe I'm seeing a wizards face peering out from the lower half of those franzites!
Actually though, those don't look half bad. How are they for wear and function?
John

Unfortunately they did not wear their age well.With time they had shrunk and become warped. A few seconds in a microwave got them soft enough to straighten out, but they still don't fit the frame very well.

I am actually fond of them. They don't feel any better on the gun that regular S&W service stocks, but they probably served their purpose well enough in the late '40s/early '50s, which is when I estimate they were put on this HD. I like the stags better. Here's a picture of those:



Daniel, apologies for taking this thread off the beaten path for a moment. I know it is supposed to be about franzite grips.

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David Wilson

David, no worries. I don't think a thread about Franzites had much hope for longevitiy or "notable" status as it is. I had actually read your thread about your grips and the microwave method. A couple fo these may need a little adjusting. I think I may try the blow dryer trick first.

Back in the Dark Ages when I collected pre-War High Standard semi-autos, I encountered quite a few Franzite stocks for that series of guns. Without fail they could be expected to be cracked, warped, shrunk, or just otherwise poorly fitting. They did indeed serve a purpose in the "Thrifty Fifties," and as such have a place in our gun lore history, but I'm sure they would look better on display rather than on a real gun! That is a nice representative collection to be able to find all at once, though, isn't it?

Froggie

PS Having said the above, if I could find a nice set of I-frame service style stocks cheap and in good condition, I would just "have" to buy them on general principles!

I would have been tempted buy a couple of those myself. They are a bit of S&W history, even if they aren't made by S&W.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

After all they were all the rage at one time,they are old school sorta cool!

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Stay safe people!

I didn't think my collection could have gotten any better, but it just did. The crown jewel arrived today via Muley Gil, a big THANK YOU. I am going to call them my plastic cokes bottle grips. I am super happy to have these with the bunch and hate to say this, but I am starting to develop a thing for these Franzites. Enjoy the pics and feel free to continue adding pics of your own. I'd like to turn this into the thread of all threads Franzite.