Horn rim glasses made between 1900 and 1930. Many of these older frames have become brittle with age. Generally, new lenses can be installed but, because of age and the nature of early plastic, there is no guarantee that these frames will not break in the attempt to change lenses. They are better suited for the collector of vintage frames. We also sell many such frames for props in movies and on stage.
Despite the above warning, we get many request for this period and style of eyewear. We have become quite good at inspecting a particular frame for small cracks and being brittle. We still will not guarantee these frames will not break when an attempt is made to install new lenses. However, we will carefully inspect any frame for you and render our opinion.
The proper procedure for changing or installing lenses in plastic frames is to heat the frame in a hot sand box or with a commercial hot air gun until the plastic is soft and pliable. Any attempt to shape or bend the plastic when it is cold will result in breakage.
We also carry a selection of round wire rim frames. Many of these frames are coated with an early type of plastic called zylo. Visit our round wire rim page.