I picked up an older Chief's Special which came equipped with real mother of pearl grips (magna-style)--I know nothing about this stuff (and I removed them posthaste!)


Anyone out there who knows about such things? Durability, rarity, value, anything?

Thanks!

Tim

Tim, I picked up a Colt's GCT 1911 that had a set on it.

They sure are pretty to look at...delightful to hold but if you drop them even 'all the King's men' can't put them together again. That goes for tightening the grip screws too much also.

Which had happened to the ones I got...see upper left grip screw hole and the chipped area around it. Then notice the crack on the hole on the right. Preston

I've heard that if you soak them in baby oil for a day or so they're less liable to spall or crack.

Everyone I've ever talked to has said to be careful of them. But I shot the daylights out of a pair on a .45 1911 and they were fine. Since they're "Mother of Pearl" that means they're made from the shell of the oyster that held the pearl. You ever try to break a seashell? Them suckers are durable! Yes, they will crack and they can be brittle, but most times they're very strong.

I traded the only gun I ever had with MOP's recently. Mine was a Smith RB M&P. Grips were service config. with no medallions. They were very thin, probably a good thing if on a 1911. Insides were hollowed out as you'd expect with inside of a shell. I'd price K frame service pearls style at $100.

__________________
SOS USA

You messed up.
Get the gun chromed, with gold hammer and trigger, and put them back on.
Ain't you got any taste?

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

...from the movie "Patton" -

I don't care what Patton thought. Real MOP is lovely. He was right about fake MOP, it is tacky.

I've always heard it was pretty delicate. (the real thing)

The factory m.o.p. handles on my little .32 are not original to the gun and these little breaktops don't generate much ooomph. But, the grips are still perfect and the gun has been shot a bit with them on....

I love how mother of pearl looks and how it feels!

These grips were real popular on Texas Ranger guns in the early 20th century. and these were work guns. I'm up in the air about shooting my guns when wearing MOP. These grips here are going on a nickle Colt .45 when I get it next week. I think I'll shoot the gun with these grips.

Thanks, everybody. I think I'll just try to figure out what they're worth and post them for sale.

Tim

They're ivory (referring to his Colt SAA and S&W .357). Only a pimp from a cheap New Orleans whorehouse would carry a pearl-handled pisto



I guess he is talking about me !!!!!!!!!!!!!

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gunnut2u
(Tim)

Old aftermarket on a first year TL.