[Ron Smith]

Josef, The grips probably crumbled , due to the grease saturation. Grease will break down wood, over a period of time. It saturates and breaks down the bonding fibers. The wood will just rot.

The metal probably corroded because the surface of the metal will retain moisture in the pores,in a dampish climate. The greese seals in the moisture. Over time the metal will "sweat" under the grease. The moisture is trapped between the metal and the grease. Thus causes the corrosion, which feeds on itself. and spreads.

Ron