UBB.threads Forums General Interest Restoration, Conservation, and Maintenance Forum Grip Eagle on an SA

Pic: I saved this picture of a damaged SA grip from an ebay auction. If anyone has ever wondered how the grip eagles were attached this should answer it: As an aside; the wood appears to be mahogony:

Jim... do you know if you can remove the eagle from the grip without breaking the prongs in a normal situation, ie, where you can't see everything as in this photo?

sdp:
Hopefully Manfred will see this thread and comment. My personal hunch is that there was a tool to peen over the prongs during assenbly and probably some sort of hook type tool to allow the prongs to be straightened if disassembly was ever rquired.
Jim

You can use a thin bladed screwdriver or chisel to lift the prongs working from the top of the grip. Slide it into the grip until you feel the first prong. Move over that one to the second and lift it up. Then move back and lift the first one. You may have to work them a couple of times to completely remove the eagle. Some prongs are longer than the hole is wide Be sure to hold the eagle tight to the grip while you bend the prongs to keep the eagle from chipping the grip. It is interesting that all of the prongs I've examined were bent toward the top of the grip.

Hey Guys, like my photo? I thought it was a cool pic, just selling some excess junk on eBay. I have removed eagles from destroyed grips. It's easy if you don't have to worry about putting dents in the grip. I think the prongs are brass, and the metal bends easily. However, if you bend them back and forth too often, they break off. If trying to preserve the grip, it's a lot tougher, as the prongs really get smashed against the wood by the tang.

Just a coment. Maybe the prongs are all bent towards the top because they used the insertion of the tang to bend them into place? No need for a special tool that way.

Hey, Jim M, do you have any of these eagles laying around?

I sure do need one...

Ju88:
I don't but Tom Johnson usually has replacements in stock.
Jim

Thanks. Is there a link to him available?

Ju88, here you go! www.ww2daggers.com Regards

Thanks a heap.

Tom Johnson is also one of our advertisers so his banner comes up at the top of the page from time to time

Ju88: Found your eagle yet? If you are still looking I have a whole bunch of those laying around. No need to buy one. email me.