I frame grips

[JcMack]

I went to a show today. On the way home I stopped at a GS and bought a G36. Hanging on the wall were a couple baggies with various used grips in them. One set was labeled diamond RB J Frame and I bought them. Got home and found they are too short to be J. They must be I frame. How can I be sure of what I have? I'm going to put them up for sale here.

 

[VM]

JcMack - your description leads me to believe they are indeed I frame.
How about some pics, are they factory or aftermarket?

 

[DCWilson]

Please check to see if there is a number either impressed or penciled on the inner surface of the right panel; that might help you date them. Also, Hondo44 and maybe others could narrow the range just by the shape and extent of the checkered field. Pics would help.

 

[JcMack]

JcMack - your description leads me to believe they are indeed I frame.
How about some pics, are they factory or aftermarket?

They are factory. I unfortunately have no HE I frames any more. Right grip rear has 148 with another 8 centered over top of 4.

 

[murphydog]

I have a loose set of J and I Magna stocks, and the I set looks to be about 1/4" shorter.

 

[JcMack]

I have a loose set of J and I Magna stocks, and the I set looks to be about 1/4" shorter.

Yes, thanks for all replies/info. I believe they are I frame. They're probably 1/4" shorter. I don't know what else they'd be

 

[Hondo44]

Yes, thanks for all replies/info. I believe they are I frame. They're probably 1/4" shorter. I don't know what else they'd be

They are definitely post war checkering of 14 lines per inch instead of 16 and post war round cornered border.

The 4 digit serial number indicates they can only be from a .38 special Chief's Special on the "Baby J" frame, 1st year of production 1950. The Baby Js used I frame size grips until about 1952 when the grip was lengthened to the regular J frame size and the egg shaped trigger guard was introduced.

The medallions look like plastic or steel which were used for a short time when barss was hard to get during the Korean War from about 1950 to 52. Check them with a magnet. If not attracted by a magnet they are most likely plastic. Turn the grips over and look at the post coming thru the blue steel washers; plastic will be evident where scraped by the washers when forced over the posts.

 

[JcMack]

Hondo44,

Wow! I never cease to be amazed at the depth in knowledge of true gun collectors. Not to go off on a tangent (but I will) This is what the general public will never understand about guns and their admirers. I was a machinist and marveled at the internals. I have friends that are gun "accumulators", not collectors. These are old farts like me, not whippersnappers.

These grips will fit I frame's, and the baby, is that correct? They have steel inserts as magnet confirmed after your suggestion. Once again I appreciate your information..

Thanks, Jim

 

[Hondo44]

Hondo44,

Wow! I never cease to be amazed at the depth in knowledge of true gun collectors. Not to go off on a tangent (but I will) This is what the general public will never understand about guns and their admirers. I was a machinist and marveled at the internals. I have friends that are gun "accumulators", not collectors. These are old farts like me, not whippersnappers.

These grips will fit I frame's, and the baby, is that correct? They have steel inserts as magnet confirmed after your suggestion. Once again I appreciate your information..

Thanks, Jim

JcMack,

You're very welcome, yes they will fit any I frame or Baby J frame round butt (not designed for square butt stocks).

That's a great tangent. I too am an old fart and marvel at the craftsmanship and do not have to shoot my guns to get immense enjoyment from them, albeit I do shoot most of them. But studying and cataloging their evolution for the last 40 years has been very interesting. Most of my Smiths are pre 1960.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Nice "I" stocks

JcMack, if you are going to sell may I have first refusal? Please send a PM if you do decide to sell, Thanks.

 

[JcMack]

smitholdtimer: I hope you'll believe that it was not my intention to garner (correct terminology?) offers here. That said, I've received one offer for these grips prior to yours. If that falls through I'll offer them to you. At that point if it doesn't work out, I'll post them as WTS in accessories.

Thank you all very much

Jim

 

[Hondo44]

They are definitely post war checkering of 14 lines per inch instead of 16 and post war round cornered border.

The 4 digit serial number indicates they can only be from a .38 special Chief's Special on the "Baby J" frame, 1st year of production 1950. The Baby Js used I frame size grips until about 1952 when the grip was lengthened to the regular J frame size and the egg shaped trigger guard was introduced.

The medallions look like plastic or steel which were used for a short time when barss was hard to get during the Korean War from about 1950 to 52. Check them with a magnet. If not attracted by a magnet they are most likely plastic. Turn the grips over and look at the post coming thru the blue steel washers; plastic will be evident where scraped by the washers when forced over the posts.

I need to correct a mistake above; it should read "post war checkering of 16 lines per inch instead of 18". Yes that differs from the SCSW by Nahas and Supica but the book conflicts with actual observations.

 

[Engine49guy]

Not to sidetrack the post but
I recently stumbled on a nice little 5 screw 4 digit Baby chief in decent condition that needed grips.

I wanted that gun very much but was afraid original grips for it would be a nightmare to find....

 

[VM]

Not to sidetrack the post but
I recently stumbled on a nice little 5 screw 4 digit Baby chief in decent condition that needed grips.

I wanted that gun very much but was afraid original grips for it would be a nightmare to find....

They {are} a nightmare to find - I've had one nice pair in the last 5 years and they are numbered to my 4-digit Baby Chief

 

[Pontiaker]

I also have a pair or two of these, was not really planning to sell them but if I can help you guys out that need a pair, it would be a very fair price too. How about you email me for pics at [email protected]

Hondo is my father, pointed me to this thread, thought I might be able to help out. I have lots of early S&W's too but I am into the grips a little more than my Pop. Dont know why, the old grips just interest me. I have at least the one pair of Baby J/I frame round butt Magnas, maybe two pair and I might even have a square butt pair with the 50-52 plastic medallions but would have to go through my grip shelf to make sure.
Matt

 

[JcMack]

It appears I overestimated the value of these grips. Because of my lack of knowledge and possibly thinking I could benefit from a "windfall" I overestimated their value. I used advise from others and priceing 0n GB to value them. I don't want them, can't use them, and have lowered the price on them in accessories for sale. Increasingly I'm making it appear that I'm using this venue (wrong forum area) to make a bunch of money. It won't happen again. Sorry.

 

[RBBarnetteJr]

I have an I frame .32 long revlover in desperate need of a quality set of grips. The ones that were on it were cheap imitations. I would settle for quality imitations. Any ideas where to look?

 

[JcMack]

Mine are sold. Post a WTB in accessories.
Jim

 

[civil1977]

I picked up these I frame grips thinking they were J frame. Now do I find a gun for them or sell them? I've heard they are hard to come by. The SN is 85867.

 

[VM]

I picked up these I frame grips thinking they were J frame. Now do I find a gun for them or sell them? I've heard they are hard to come by. The SN is 85867.

Those do not look like orig. I frame grips. Looks like someone shortened a set of J's..........too much checkering between the bottom of the diamond and the checkering groove.
Look at JcMack's picture above