Ivory 1911 Grips?

[bamabiker]

Anyone seen grips like these? Know who DC might be? I think they are real ivory but not 100% sure. Hard to get a picture of the lines on the end of the grips.

[Timb1]

I think those are Don Collins grips. Probably bonded ivory, not true elephant ivory.

[Johnnu2]

What exactly is "bonded ivory"? I've not heard of that before.
THANKS,
J

[texmex]

Bonded ivory is scrap ivory ground into a powder and then mixed with some type of glue (epoxy?) and maybe other material (plastic/polymer) so it can be shaped, formed, ground into grips. Some of it is done so well it is hard to tell from the real stuff and can be checkered/schrimshawed. At least if you bump it up against something or drop it, you don't risk chipping or cracking a $600 set of ivory grips.

[Johnnu2]

Thanks, appreciate the info.
J.

[03hemi]

Bonded ivory doesn't have the "Schreger" lines on the end grain either, they have some polymer ivory out now that has end grains that resemble Schreger's though.
Contrary to belief, ivory is extremely durable, just look at the examples still around from the turn of the century. I have a set on one of my 1911's and they get knocked around, shot and carried without any noticeable wear.

[JH1951]

With respect to all of the "bonded ivory" available.....
Where does all of this "ivory dust" from which they are made come from?
I mean, really? Is there still an industry out there milling bulk ivory? If so, why can I not find any? Are we allowed to import/export ivory dust, but not a solid piece?

[03hemi]

Originally Posted by JH1951

With respect to all of the "bonded ivory" available.....
Where does all of this "ivory dust" from which they are made come from?
I mean, really? Is there still an industry out there milling bulk ivory? If so, why can I not find any? Are we allowed to import/export ivory dust, but not a solid piece?

Kind of stupid, huh?
You can buy antique ivory within the state you live in.
You can buy fossilized ivory from any state.
And all this will somehow save elephants that lived centuries ago and reduce the illegal sale of ivory today?
Makes sense to me, criminals obey laws?
Sounds like they just need to make a law against it like murder to make it stop.

[bamabiker]

Well after looking at them outside in the bright sunshine I do see what appears to be Shreger lines on both ends of the grips. I also put a red hot needle to the back and it was definitely a burnt hair smell. Anyone know if bonded ivory smells like that?
I'm leaning toward real ivory and now need to find a nice new 1911 to put them on.
Good reason to buy a new gun, huh.

[colt_saa]

Ivory always looks good on blue

[Art Doc]

Natural materials are heavy. I can't tell from a photo but I can tell as soon as I pick them up in my hand. Got a set of K frame Magna ivories for $30 because everyone kept telling the seller they weren't real. I picked them and handed him $30.

[bamabiker]

I actually bought 2 pair of these and the guy was not sure if real or not. Got them for a good price but not as good as yours.

[colt_saa]

Originally Posted by Art Doc

Natural materials are heavy. I can't tell from a photo but I can tell as soon as I pick them up in my hand. Got a set of K frame Magna ivories for $30 because everyone kept telling the seller they weren't real. I picked them and handed him $30.

I have purchased two sets of Ivory grips at pawn shops for $30 and $35

They thought they were plastic.

One set never got on a gun because I was offered a 700% profit a few weeks after buying them

After all this Ivory panic, I am sorry that I sold them

[walter o]

And IVORY does not look bad on stainless

[A10]

Elephant ivory. Purchased in Japan in the early 50s by my uncle, returning from Korea. ****** cell phone picture.....

[CH4]

Both Ed Browns are wearing elephant ivory, the pre 27 has bonded ivory from Altamont, the Dan Wesson’s are giraffe bone.
Ivory is nice, but the giraffe bone is an attractive and much less expensive option.

[bgrafsr]

Series 70:






This is Giraffe bone:

[squidsix]

This picture of the elephant grips on my Colt should give you an idea of the grain.

[bgrafsr]

I do have a question. Is it heresy to use tea to darken the Ivory, or will it somehow hurt it? Thanks.

[squidsix]

Light will darken ivory. People used to use uv lights to “age” ivory. It works, and will age it quite well.
Of course, so will time....

[bgrafsr]

Originally Posted by squidsix

Light will darken ivory. People used to use uv lights to “age” ivory. It works, and will age it quite well.
Of course, so will time....

I know time will do it, did not know UV light would. Thanks.

[mikerjf]

For those whose wallet is hurting after looking at the above beauties, these are wood - American Holly.