D.B. Wesson Grip Adaptors Patent 1,848,682

[Oldsmithguy]

Does anyone have any information on the early K frame Grip Adaptor? I inhearited one from my Father and would like to know if it is authentic. It looks like the pictures that I have seen on line. I showed it around at a gun show, but had no luck since no one had ever seen one of these before. I would appreciate any information on production numbers and value.

 

[VM]

Welcome to the Forum!
It is very much authentic and quite valuable.
I can't quite tell from the pictures as to the condition of the rubber and the blueing (and existance of rubber screw).
I'll estimate it's value between $300 - $500 depending on condition.
I'd be curious to know what Pre war K frame revolver your Father had that this might have belonged to??

 

[opoefc]

VM is correct and I've seen them go for quite a bit more than his estimate ( before the economy tanked) . N frame grip adaptors are the most common, with the K frames next and I've only seen a couple J frame adaptors in 60 yrs. N frame replicas are available but no K or J frame replicas have been made, to my knowledge. There's a little bit of S&W trivia related to these adaptors. Some years ago when Roy Jinks came across the record book for the Registered Magnums in the archives, we noticed the letters "GA" typed on many of the order sheets, but not all. It took awhile before we made the connection that the "GA" indicated that particular gun was shipped with the grip adaptor installed. Ed.

 

[Oldsmithguy]

Grip adapters

Thanks for the info on the grip adapter. The grip adapter was not on a gun when I found it. I am not sure what gun my Father originally had it on. He owned many different pistols over the years. He shot on the police pistol team for many years and was good friends with a local gun store owner. He owned many pre-war S&W pistols when he was actively shooting.

This grip adapter is in very good shape, but the center piece appears to be made of wood that was painted black. The screw is metal and appears to be original.

Once I figure out what it is worth, then I'll decide if I am going to sell it.

Thanks again for the help with this.

 

[opoefc]

The "center piece" should not be wood. It was a some what hard rubber type material, and over time could shrink and split, so I think your father must have replaced the original material with a piece of hard wood, perhaps. Ed.

 

[Oldsmithguy]

VM and opoefc, thanks for the info and help. I posted them for sale.