WWII “Sweetheart” pistol grips made from wreckage of downed planes (28 Photos)

WWII “Sweetheart” pistol grips made from wreckage of downed planes (28 Photos)

wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-14.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Source Howmanypandas on Imgur

During war, trench art was common.

wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-18.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Source Recoilweb.com

One of the most unique forms is the story behind WW2’s “Sweetheart” pistol grips.

wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-6.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Source Howmanypandas on Imgur

Soldiers would replace their side-arm’s original grip with a photo of loved ones.

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Or for the young guys; they’d raise moral with pin-up gals by their side.

wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-10.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Source Howmanypandas on Imgur

Hence the name “Sweetheart” grips…but it’s the story behind how soldiers made the grips (while in combat zones) that make these works of art truly interesting.

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Back in 1928, 11-years before WW2 began, scientists were developing a clear plastic named Plexiglass.

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It was malleable (easy to shape) which lent itself perfectly for making side windows on war planes.

wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-2.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Thefirearmblog.com

From Plexiglass a second material, named “Lucite”, was developed. This lightweight acrylic invention was a thin film layer placed over the windows for added strength.

wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-11.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Source Howmanypandas on Imgur

Recap:
Plexiglass with layer of Lucite.
Moving on.

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The skies over WW2 was a very deadly place to be AND it led to how these grips were first made.

wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-17.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Thefirearmblog

When a plane was shot-down or downed from mechanical malfunctions, soldiers would go through the wreckage to find these side windows. They would then melt the “Lucite” layer to form the clear replacement grip.

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The process was fairly simple.
Remove the original wooden grip…place the photo in the warm Lucite and hand-mold a new “Sweetheart” grip.

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Although U.S. soldiers primarily replaced their Colt M1911A1 pistols with their modified grips, the idea spread to other soldier’s weapons (including their knives’ grips).

wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-24.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Source Howmanypandas on Imgurwwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-5.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Source Howmanypandas on Imgurwwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-20.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Forums.1911forum.com

Many carried stories such as this 8mm Nambu. It was handed down from a Dad that served as a medic in the South Pacific during the Navy/USMC’s ultra scary island hopping campaign.

wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-19.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Forums.1911forum.cowwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-4.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Source Recoilweb.comwwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-21.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-25.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Source Howmanypandas on Imgurwwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-3.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Source Jenness Customs on Facebook

Sweetheart grips have also made it to after-market gun modifiers such as “Jenness Custom” shop:
“I’m recreating that wonderful tradition! Pm me if you are interested in a set for yourself! $75 plus shipping”
Source Jenness Customs on Facebook

wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-25-2.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Source Howmanypandas on Imgur

And leave it to the internets for a little chuckle of craftsmanship.

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Regardless, it’s a cool little slice of history from the battlefields of WW2.

wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-25-1.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Source Howmanypandas on Imgurwwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-8.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-25-3.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-9.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Source Howmanypandas on Imgur

Thanks guys for giving this gallery a quick look’n-learn.
-Rick

wwii-sweetheart-pistol-grips-made-wreckage-of-downed-planes-13.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600Source Howmanypandas on Imgur

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