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04-21-2012, 11:37 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Northeast, OH
Posts: 39
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S&W K-22 Franzite grip questions & pics
I inherited a S&W K-22 a number of years ago that originally was purchased by my grandfather that has been dated by serial number to 1948. I threw a set of modern oversized K frame grips on it shortly after I got it. There was no box or original grips that Dad ever located. The revolver is in great shape and one that will never leave my collection. This morning I was poking around a box of stuff in my gun cabinet and found the grips that I took off years ago. They appear to be a brown Bakelite type substance with a silver medallion with the name “Franzite” and a flying bird on the medallion. I have attached some iPhone pictures of them.
I’m curious as to their origin and possible current value?? Thanks for any information you can provide. Bob
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04-22-2012, 09:45 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Northeast, OH
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No one can help me me out with these? I guess they must be pretty rare.
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04-22-2012, 10:02 AM
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Absent Comrade
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Ardmore, OK
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Franzite grips have been around since the 1930s when I was a kid. I bought a pair when they were $1.25 when my Colt grips got broken up. As far as I know, nobody bought Franzites except in desperation. Even so, there is probably someone who collects them. All that said, yours do look good, the only good-looking Franzites in memory. Value I would guess in line with other used plastic repros - $20-40.
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04-22-2012, 11:18 AM
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Absent Comrade
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Central South Carolina
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Sorry,not rare. I have several sets of Franzites. As the previous poster said,somebody collects them no doubt. I used to pick them up for about $5,but ebay has introduced a lot of new buyers to them. They frequently sell for about $20 bucks now. Another maker of plastic grips ,and probably more well known,is Fitz. I've got a few of those too. Prices are about the same. This is one of my favorite beater K-22s wearing a set of Fitz "Rhinos".
f.t.
__________________
South Carolina-God's country
Last edited by fat tom; 04-22-2012 at 11:28 AM.
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04-22-2012, 12:25 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Northeast, OH
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Thank you for your responses, I didn't really think they were valuable or rare but I haven't heard of them.
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04-22-2012, 01:22 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central VA
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As mentioned Franzite was around for a pretty long time, but they were not considered prestigious additions to your S&W... in fact, they were better than a bare grip frame, but not by a whole lot. Somebody had a thread going here a few weeks ago IIRC about buying a group of them that were intended for various Smiths. It was a cheap but interesting exercise.
Froggie
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