What are these?

[Revolver Rookie]

So I've been going crazy buying up quite a few Revolvers since moving to this free state. When I got the first one, I thought somebody had hand made a grip extension (think Tyler T-Grip) Now I get a second one that is marked "Police Dept. St. Louis, MO. No. 146" This one has a much larger finger divider. Both improve the grip (at least for me)
Both are made from wood, and both screw into the frame. Is this a 6 screw? LOL.
But seriously, are these common? Who Made them?

 

[Chukar60]

I cannot tell you anything about them. Sorry
I do really like the one in the second picture. The one in the third picture? Not so much. I am looking forward to one of the resident experts to chime in so we can learn something

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Those are quite interesting. All I can tell you is the revolvers appear to be M&P's from the 1920's. I've not seen grip adapters in use on guns that early.

 

[Hondo44]

But seriously, are these common? Who Made them?

No not common but cool. Clearly handmade and maybe by a grip maker. Probably by a grip maker and one-offs.

Take them off and look for a maker's name inside.

 

[Chuck24]

Love those adapters

 

[ND Farmer]

I have gun that was drilled and tapped for such an adapter. Holes there but no adapter. Also would like to know if it was home made or not.

 

[Hondo44]

I have gun that was drilled and tapped for such an adapter. Holes there but no adapter. Also would like to know if it was home made or not.

They are not factory grip adaptors, however, S&W did offer a rubber grip adaptor that was also screwed to the frame, but it was much smaller.

See it here in this thread, post # 141 on the right side gun:

Pre-War 357 Magnum Appreciation Thread

What model Smith do you have? Possibly it's a factory screw hole.

 

[RKmesa]

They are not factory grip adaptors, however, S&W did offer a rubber grip adaptor that was also screwed to the frame, but it was much smaller.

See it here in this thread, post # 141 on the right side gun:

Pre-War 357 Magnum Appreciation Thread

What model Smith do you have? Possibly it's a factory screw hole.

Slight correction... The S&W pre war grip adapter did NOT screw into the frame. The two side plates were placed under the grips next to the frame. Then the grips were put in place and all 4 parts (two plates and two grip panels) were fastened together by an extended length grip screw. There is a second screw that holds the rubber spacer in between the two plates and "the installation takes but a moment, and requires no change or alteration to the arm", as described and shown the the photos and brochure below...

 

[RKmesa]

...But seriously, are these common? Who Made them?

I too have a pre-war M&P with a custom screw in grip adapter.





I also have a couple of N-Frames (one an RM and the other a 38/44 Outdoorsman) that are drilled for a grip adapter, but the adapter did not come with the gun into my possession.

All three of these guns spent time at King Gun Sight Company in San Francisco. One is the above noted M&P that received the King Super Police treatment, the Outdoorsman has the King Super Target rib and treatment, the RM letters as being shipped by the factory to King and has the cockeyed trigger and other King adjustments. So... I think that King may have been crafting and adding the adapters (in addition to other modifications) upon customer request and it makes sense to me that other gunsmiths and grip makers would also offer such services.

 

[Hondo44]

Richard, thank you for the correction!

 

[SmithNut]

Love the pre-war adapters

And they work on early post war revolvers as well.....