Re: More Black Widow Grips
 

Does anyone know the intended function of those threaded holes?

Re: More Black Widow Grips
 

There were put there to drive collectors CRAZY!

probably to hold them in a jig for finishing... (EOM)
 

Re: More Black Widow Grips
 

They will acept the gripscrew......


SteveM

Re: More Black Widow Grips
 

The threaded holes are used to aid in removing the finished part from the mold,....till...later....G.T.

Re: More Black Widow Grips
 

I think SteveM has stated the logical answer as to why the threads are there.


It could be a place to secure the grip screws during dissassembly. A field expedient.


Mike

Re: More Black Widow Grips
 

Sounds almost too logical, GT. I was picturing some poor factory worker putting a pair of grip screws into each one of these holes so they would arrive at their destination intact (complete w/screws). A simple removal tool from the molds does make a lot more sense. Do you think there is some documentation of the process somewhere?

Re: More Black Widow Grips
 

Hi Bill! Finding someone who knows about the process of molding plastic back then is pretty tough! Although Baekolite (not the correct spelling) has been around a long time, I suspect the molding machines and tooling used in grip production was state of the art at that time.....other plastics were unique and rare, that is why you sometimes see plexi-glass fashioned into grips and handles, it was definitly something different and special at the time. But it is pretty evident that Baekolite was eclipsed early on in the war years, and pretty much forgotten after that!

Baekolite has some serious draw backs when used as a material for mass production. The early molds did not have sprues or risers, and the phenolic resins used (in a powder form) were preset to a certain size or weight...this measure of material was then set into the mold where the top & bottom would come together under heat and pressure to form the part.....after the part was finished, you then had to extract it manually from the bottom half of the mold. Also, at this time, the part would still be hot! Sometimes on complex parts, a sharp rap with a mallet or rawhide hammer, on the removal fixture, is needed to shock the part loose. It was certainly far from an exact science at that time........When I was in a college plastics class, I asked a few questions to my professor about the subject, and the above is what I remember....till....later.....G.T.

Here's another photo of plexiglass grips <
 

Note they are inletted for a grip safety!




http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/plexiglasgrips.jpg

Re: Here's a photo of Plexiglass Grips
 

John,


Back years ago, I saw a pair of the plexiglas grips with a picture of a WWII era pin-up girl picture insode the grips! I think the pistol was a German occupation made Polish Radom pistol. The grips on these pistols were easy to make from the plexiglas. I thought they were a little "tacky", but the girl was cute, Ha, Ha, Ha.


Marvin

Looks like Plexi-glass got around!
 

Hi Guys! I have also seen several with pictures of wives and sweethearts....and also plexi-glass handles on Mauser bayonets, with pictures or tin foil underneath! wished I would have kept some of them now.....till...later....G.T.