Wondering if anyone can tell me what period of time the S&W hard plastic/rubber grip adapter was made for the J frame revolvers? I know Mershon and Pachmayr also made this, did they make them for S&W? Looking for a little background regarding these style of grip adapters. I understand the original Tyler T grips were introduced in the late 50's, just not sure if the hard plastic/rubber ones by S&W, Mershon, and Pachmayr were from the same time period. Thanks
Questions Regarding Vintage S&W Rubber/Plastic J Frame Grip Adapter
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oneounceload
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The Pachmayr one on my dad's old NYPD service revolver is from the early 50s..............lists a LA address
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Mershon was the first. The earliest documented existence of their adapter I've been able to find was a Stoeger catalog from 1939. Melvin Tyler started making his in 1953.
Both the Pachmayr and Smith & Wesson branded adapters were made by Pachmayr. I've tried to document their history, but one doesn't find anything but people's more or less precise memories. My impression so far is that Pachmayr did not start making them under their own name until the early 1960s, sometime after they had bought up Mershon.
The problem with assuming they're the same age as the guns thry're on is that they could have been put on the guns at any time during the gun's service life. They also did break and were conceivably replaced; I've seen quite a few ex-service revolvers with cracked or splintered Mershons and Pachmayrs (not a machined-aluminum Tyler, of course). So the age of a gun an adapter might be associated with doesn't allow definite conclusions as to its age.
Both the Pachmayr and Smith & Wesson branded adapters were made by Pachmayr. I've tried to document their history, but one doesn't find anything but people's more or less precise memories. My impression so far is that Pachmayr did not start making them under their own name until the early 1960s, sometime after they had bought up Mershon.
The problem with assuming they're the same age as the guns thry're on is that they could have been put on the guns at any time during the gun's service life. They also did break and were conceivably replaced; I've seen quite a few ex-service revolvers with cracked or splintered Mershons and Pachmayrs (not a machined-aluminum Tyler, of course). So the age of a gun an adapter might be associated with doesn't allow definite conclusions as to its age.
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There were 3 sizes packed in S&W boxes.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Could you post a larger version of the picture? I can only get it stamp-sized.
This is a big as I can blow it up. I do not have adaptors to retake photos
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
This is a big as I can blow it up. I do not have adaptors to retake photos
Ok, thanks for trying. As common as they supposedly were if you listen to some people, one does not come across those or even pictures that often. Mershons and Pachmayr-branded ones are much more frequently encountered.
handejector
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The only pics I have left.
Sold the set at SWCA-Charlotte
Sold the set at SWCA-Charlotte
