Using old spectacles

[Cockney Rebel]

I bought a pair of antique brass wire rim glasses for a Teddy Roosevelt impression.  They have old prescription lenses in but I can’t see how to remove them without damaging the frame, unless I just break the lenses.  I could use the glasses without any lenses but would worry about their rigidity.

i am looking for just clear lens.

 

anyone have any good, cheap suggestions?

[Eyesa Horg]

Is it possible a jeweler might be able to unsolder the frame to remove and replace if an optician could make new lenses?

[Double Barrel, SASS 34765]

Those would look really cool. But I would suggest replacing them with safety glasses when the shooting starts. Unless you don’t value your eyesight. Not trying to sound snarky. 

[Horace Patootie, SASS #35798]

There is a vendor/optician who uses antique frames to insert new lenses. Maybe in the Chronicle? Can't remember for sure.

Horace

[Cockney Rebel]

Thanks, these are for re-enactment purposes, not shooting, but I appreciate your comment nonetheless.

[Lucky R. K.]

Take them to your eye doctor and have him let the people who makes glasses for him change the lenses,

Lucky 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

I'd check with your various local places that sell eyeglasses, especially the independent shops.   One of them can prolly make and fit lenses with you Rx.

That being said, as others have pointed out, they may not provide adequate eye protection on their own.   I think there's even a line about that in the Shooter's Handbook.

 

Yep, there is...

"While small, period glasses may look great, full protection/high impact glasses are strongly recommended."

 

[Hashknife Cowboy]

I have a pair of antique glasses that I use to use on the range until I took a bullet fragment in the eye brow.  That was just a bit too close, now it is prescription safety glasses on the range that will be a antique in 100 years.  But the antique glasses have a  cool factor of quite high!

[Cockney Rebel]

Yes, understood.  As I indicated, these will not be for shooting, only for re-enactment purposes.  I have found a company online who can replace the lenses with clear lenses with no prescription.  Thanks for everyone's input.

[Pb Mark]

Any local place that has one-day eyeglass service will have a simple prescription lense cutting operation normally located on-site.  They can evaluate the soundness of the frame and set you up with new prescription polycarbonate lenses if the frames check-out.  Those frames you have will not handle a hard impact (lenses would probably pop out) but polycarbonate should not shatter.  The earpieces can be fit with side shields, but most opticians will not sell them to you for use on those frames due to liability concerns.  Amazon should have some that fit though.  Your frames do not look large enough for "proper safety coverage" but if you decide to wear them shooting, it can be done.  Did a pair myself - old sunglass frames from about 30 years ago that I still liked.  Lenses cost me about $150 at a local chain store.

[Ozark Huckleberry]

Some opticians might be able to deal with the lenses, I guess the frames don’t have screws to open the rims. 
 

Maybe a jeweler could set the lenses and re-solder the frames?

[Woody Shootem, SASS # 24816]

I know when I was a Civil War reenactor thirty years ago I took some antique frames just like that to the place I get my glasses from and they put my prescription in them. It was no big deal to them.  I think they get this request on occasion and have dealt with it before.