ID handle grips

[Ron Pier]

Regarding the gunners handle grips. I have it on good authority that the Canadian grips were made from rubber. I have been shown these grips in Bakelite. The measurements seem to match the handles and wondered if they could be a British version. They came with a load of WD motorcycle stock, but I can't think of a motorcycle use for Bakelite grips. Any ideas chaps? Ron

[Ben]

Hi Ron

My British parts book doesn't offer any clues I'm afraid, sorry.

No part numbers I guess?

Ben

[Lynn Eades]

Are they Bakelite, or are the rubber, gone hard over time?.
I have Australian bogie arm seals that are so hard that they would break into bits if they were to be distorted in any way. They could easily be mistaken for Bakelite.

[jeff davis]

I have 1 old stock handle from My 1943 Carrier and it is Made from Black Rubber with a Ford part # on the side
Jeff

[Lynn Eades]

Jordan B. gave us a good look at the Canadian one. Ron was wondering if these were the British ones.
I imagine there were some variations of the British ones, with 1/2 a dozen different carrier manufacturers, as opposed to the Canadian ones, all being built by Ford in Canada.
In saying that, the grips were likely of motorcycle origin, in the U.K. and with all the different motorcycle manufacturers, anything could have been fitted.

[Ron Pier]

Thanks for the replies so far chaps. I have about 20 WW2 motorcycles in my collection and know of no use for Bakelite grips. The guy who has them seems to have quite a few and would like to identify them for ebay purposes. He is now going to send me a pair for closer scrutiny. He says they are not rubber, but either Bakelite or hard plastic and came with 2 tons of ex WD mostly motorcycle stock that he purchased some years ago.
I'll come back after they arrive. Ron

[Ron Pier]

Here is a slightly better picture. They are indeed plastic or Bakelite and open at both ends. Adrian Barrel has had an educated guess at something for a turret controller. Ron