World's Ugliest Luger Grips

mm · 02-21-2002, 03:01 PM

I just aquired a pair of Franzite fake staghorn Luger grips. They have a small silver metal disc (1/2 the size of a dime) embedded in each grip with a flying eagle holding a US Shield and the words "Franzite". Did someone actually think that these would improve the looks of their Luger?

mm

John Sabato · 02-21-2002, 05:40 PM

Fanzite used to make grips for all manner of handguns back in the 50's is the earliest I remember seeing the name. I guess it would be no different than having "Hogue" or or "Pachmayr" or "Jay Scott" on your pistol, but in the case of franzite, I think that they were at least one of the very first to produce replacement grips for Lugers after WW2 and if you were a vet who brought a Luger home as a trophy and broke or seriously chipped one of your grips, they were about your only recourse at the time. They made them in many styles including stag, simulated ivory and heaven forbid - Mother of pearl!

I never thought them attractive but if you had broken grips or worse yet, no grips, and someone made some that would fit in your hand better than broken wood grips with electrical tape holding them on, you would probably have bought some too!

-regards,

John Sabato

mm · 02-21-2002, 06:06 PM

John,

My thoughts went in a different direction. In the 1950s, I imagine that Luger bringbacks and those available on the surplus market appealed to many not as collectables, but rather as something to be "modified" or "enhanced." Perhaps they sought to give it a "demilitarized" look by chroming the metal parts and adding fake stag grips - much like customizing a car into a hot rod or military rifles were turned into "sporting rifles." mm

John Sabato · 02-21-2002, 06:13 PM

02-22-2002, 08:55 PM

I believe that I can give some history on Franzite. I have a 1928 catalog titled SPORT MANUAL published by P.VON FRANTZIUS 608 Diversey Pkwy Chicago Ill. The front has an ink stamp SPORTS, Inc successors to. The catalog is extensive and advertises many firearms of the day including Lugers of many models and carbines with stock for $65. I have read somewhere that after selling this business, Von Vrantzius went into grip making business as Franzite. I have several variations of Luger Franzite girps. Most are undersize. Maybe they srunk over the years. I buy then because they are Luger stuff and go back a long way. They were made in black, white, stag and brown marble that I know of. The catalog also advertises Luger parts and extra receivers with various barrel lengths. Drum magazines are $15.00. Loading tools are .15 and cleaning rods with oiler .50. Genuine Ivory grips are $15.00. Artillery stocks are $2.50 and holster with strap $6.50.

02-21-2002, 03:01 PM	#1
mm User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SFBAY Posts: 82 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	World's Ugliest Luger Grips I just aquired a pair of Franzite fake staghorn Luger grips. They have a small silver metal disc (1/2 the size of a dime) embedded in each grip with a flying eagle holding a US Shield and the words "Franzite". Did someone actually think that these would improve the looks of their Luger? mm

02-21-2002, 05:40 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,309 Times in 1,098 Posts	I think the word you are looking for is "functional" Fanzite used to make grips for all manner of handguns back in the 50's is the earliest I remember seeing the name. I guess it would be no different than having "Hogue" or or "Pachmayr" or "Jay Scott" on your pistol, but in the case of franzite, I think that they were at least one of the very first to produce replacement grips for Lugers after WW2 and if you were a vet who brought a Luger home as a trophy and broke or seriously chipped one of your grips, they were about your only recourse at the time. They made them in many styles including stag, simulated ivory and heaven forbid - Mother of pearl! I never thought them attractive but if you had broken grips or worse yet, no grips, and someone made some that would fit in your hand better than broken wood grips with electrical tape holding them on, you would probably have bought some too! -regards, John Sabato

02-21-2002, 06:06 PM	#3
mm User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SFBAY Posts: 82 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: No, more like tacky customization John, My thoughts went in a different direction. In the 1950s, I imagine that Luger bringbacks and those available on the surplus market appealed to many not as collectables, but rather as something to be "modified" or "enhanced." Perhaps they sought to give it a "demilitarized" look by chroming the metal parts and adding fake stag grips - much like customizing a car into a hot rod or military rifles were turned into "sporting rifles." mm

02-21-2002, 06:13 PM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,309 Times in 1,098 Posts	Perhaps a little of both... (EOM)

02-22-2002, 08:55 PM	#5
Art Buchanan Guest Posts: n/a	Franzite Grips I believe that I can give some history on Franzite. I have a 1928 catalog titled SPORT MANUAL published by P.VON FRANTZIUS 608 Diversey Pkwy Chicago Ill. The front has an ink stamp SPORTS, Inc successors to. The catalog is extensive and advertises many firearms of the day including Lugers of many models and carbines with stock for $65. I have read somewhere that after selling this business, Von Vrantzius went into grip making business as Franzite. I have several variations of Luger Franzite girps. Most are undersize. Maybe they srunk over the years. I buy then because they are Luger stuff and go back a long way. They were made in black, white, stag and brown marble that I know of. The catalog also advertises Luger parts and extra receivers with various barrel lengths. Drum magazines are $15.00. Loading tools are .15 and cleaning rods with oiler .50. Genuine Ivory grips are $15.00. Artillery stocks are $2.50 and holster with strap $6.50.