Hurst grips on LAPD (-ish) cut-frame K-38 in Missouri

[SG-688]

At a show in Missouri last weekend, Joe Kent and I found this early pair of well worn John Hurst grips on a well worn cut-frame K-38 fitted in the LAPD style with a standard trigger and target hammer.

The dealer graciously gave permission for me to take these photos. (We didn't buy it.) Sorry, I was more interested in the grips, and my camera died, so I didn't check for details on the .38.

Oddly enough, the grips were originally for a full square butt and were roughly cut down to the cut frame, leaving a hole at the toe. They still felt good.

OIF2 has reported that Hurst often wrote the name of buyer inside each panel. Intrigued at that, the dealer pulled them, but we found only indecipherable scratches.

 

[linde]

Sorry I couldn't join you for the show . . . would have loved to tag along with you and Joe for the education . . . not to mention the entertainment value! Thanks for sharing.

Russ

 

[Joe Kent]

Russ, we missed having you with us. It was a pretty good show all in all with some neat things to see and a good time to visit with friends. All my best, Joe.

 

[SgtLumpy]

... well worn John Hurst grips on a well worn cut-frame K-38 fitted in the LAPD style with a standard trigger and target hammer.

Help me to understand, please...What is "LAPD style"?

Thanks -


Sgt Lumpy

 

[John Wyatt]

Was the Smith converted to double action only?

 

[Joe Kent]

John, sorry neither SG-688 or myself can answer your question , as we were more interested in the stocks and did not ask to take off the "safety" tie.

 

[Jaymo]

What is a cut frame?

 

[shawn mccarver]

Russ, we missed having you with us. It was a pretty good show all in all with some neat things to see and a good time to visit with friends. All my best, Joe.

Joe: You didn't miss me? What am I "chopped liver?" LOL

It is too bad someone messed up those good grips. And the front frame corner.

Shawn

 

[shawn mccarver]

What is a cut frame?

In some grips made by makers such as Fuzzy Farant and others, such as Hurst (LAPD people), they would cut off the front corner of the grip frame to allow a much smaller grip on the lower front of the grip since the pinky finger only wraps around something with a smaller diameter as it is the shortest finger. I believe the thinking is/was that the hold is much stronger if you can curl or wrap your whole hand around the revolver.

 

[Joe Kent]

Shawn, you know it goes beyond saying that of course we missed you. One of these days ,hopefully, in the not too distant future we all will be on the same schedule and finally get together. As always, all my very best, Joe.

 

[SG-688]

Farrant grips on a cut frame. The K-38 above was cut this way.

As to "the LAPD style" .... As on Chief Davis' K-38 owned now by Mike Priwer, various members have reported that LAPD K-38's often had target hammers with narrow triggers instead of the wide target trigger. The cut frame added to the effect. If it was not an LAPD veteran, it looked the part.

 

[Jaymo]

In some grips made by makers such as Fuzzy Farant and others, such as Hurst (LAPD people), they would cut off the front corner of the grip frame to allow a much smaller grip on the lower front of the grip since the pinky finger only wraps around something with a smaller diameter as it is the shortest finger. I believe the thinking is/was that the hold is much stronger if you can curl or wrap your whole hand around the revolver.

Ahh, Grasshopper see.

Not pretty, but it makes sense.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Shawn, you know it goes beyond saying that of course we missed you. One of these days ,hopefully, in the not too distant future we all will be on the same schedule and finally get together. As always, all my very best, Joe.

Joe:

Right back at ya!

Shawn