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

No one can help me me out with these? I guess they must be pretty rare.

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.

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.

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South Carolina-God's country

Thank you for your responses, I didn't really think they were valuable or rare but I haven't heard of them.

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