Black grips real or fake

[Irishdiver]

I looked everywhere I could but did not find anything that matched these grips. They are on a 1940/42 P08 Luger that I just acquired. I know that they are not original to this gun and should have been wood. Question is are they legit grips or aftermarket junk.
Thanks,
Sean

[Edward Tinker]

I think repro, but I am not an expert on it. There are folks here that are experts on them.

2 tests to check, gentle tap them together. A plastic sound is likely they are probably plastic, if bakelite, then when you lightly tap they have a much more 'thud' sound.
Then you can use a hot needle and see if it melts (be careful and somewhere on the backside.)

See the FAQ in the new collectors area that has grips and tons of other information.

[G.T.]

Hi Irishdiver, the grips you have pictured would be better termed as ,"post war"
The problem is that there are real ones, probably made either in Russia or Germany, made from a Bakelite material? And there are also recent copies of the very same grip, made only with a thermal setting resin,which has little to no strength. So, you are back to the same problem as to how to determine whether or not they are Bakelite. My best method is to tap them together, and listen to/for, the,"clink" rather than the, "thud" Also the fit, and also the weight can be tells as to originality. One last thing, and not written in stone, but the Bakelite grips, ALL of THEM! are made in a heated compression mold and as such are just as finished on the back, an they are on the front? They should be smooth and nearly flawless, just as the mold is. No air bullble and/or rash. So, if it clunks, has rash, is light, and doesn't fit.... I'll let you finish the observation. Best to you, til....lat'r....GT...
BTW, I use these grips on some of my test guns as they stick to your hand like glue... I like that!