They came from the factory with plastic grips?
There seems to have been an evolution in the grips. They started out as wood, with the checkering not reaching the top (as shown on the OP's and mine). Later, the checkering extended to the top (as on yours). Finally, they shifted to the plastic grips. The shape of the late plastic grips was almost a necessity with the DAO Mk. 1*.Mine is 1939, not RAF stamped. The grips are original. I did research the and found a site with grips by year.
Same here. Also, it seems to be some kind of cheap wood that did not take checkering well. As best I can tell, the checkering was not crisp, even when new.There are no markings on the grips, but matched for 1939.
Same here. Also, it seems to be some kind of cheap wood that did not take checkering well. As best I can tell, the checkering was not crisp, even when new.
I like the brass marking disk on the plastic grips. Mine has a Broad Arrow stamp, but is otherwise blank. It would be interesting to find unit markings there.