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02-10-2011, 11:58 PM
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5" M&P Target w/Ropers
I found a pair of Roper grips today at one of the local shops. They are a little worn and dry, but void of any major cracks or chips. They will go on a less common pre-war 5" M&P target with humpback hammer and was shipped to Shapleigh Hardward in St. Louis, MO in December of 1937. Don't see many Roper grips locally in Minnesota, so feel pretty lucky to have stumbled on them.
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02-11-2011, 12:02 AM
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Nice wood, nice gun. A keeper combination, and the shorter barrel and HB hammer make it interesting as well as attractive. Congratulations on picking up those Ropers -- and for having a proper revolver to display them on.
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David Wilson
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02-11-2011, 12:55 AM
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Those grips are gorgeous! ... and you put them on the perfect gun. The matte finish of the grips contrasts perfectly with the reflection off the blue steel of that revolver. The finishes of both look used enough to be real.
Thanks Much,
Jerry
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02-11-2011, 11:50 AM
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Excellent combo. They go together like doughnuts and a cup of coffee. Congratulations on your find.
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02-11-2011, 12:04 PM
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Wouldn't it be a good idea to put a little finish on the grips to help preserve them? Several of our members will be able to recommend a proper product I'm sure.
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H Richard
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02-11-2011, 12:50 PM
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GREAT score!
Good for you.
Finding a loose pair of Ropers anywhere, anytime, is a major coup.
Quote:
Originally Posted by H Richard
Wouldn't it be a good idea to put a little finish on the grips to help preserve them? Several of our members will be able to recommend a proper product I'm sure.
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NOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Those grips are wearing the original finish.
They look great to me. If you think they are really dry, I would do nothing but oil them lightly with boiled linseed oil. Jack O'Connor favored a 50-50 mixture of oil and gum turpentine. Turpentine tears my sinuses up, so I use 50-50 oil and mineral spirits(paint thinner).
I would oil them liberally, and then wipe off all I could. Paper toweels work well for this. Lay one layer of paper towel over the checkering, and use a soft toothbrush to brush that paper towel into the checkering to dry the oil. Do as long as necessary to dry them. Any paper lint can be brushed out with that same soft toothbrush after the paper towel treatment. Simply rub the brush dry first with a paper towel.
They should barely look like you have oiled them at this point. Set them aside to dry a day or two. You just performed more of a cleaning than anything.
Linseed oil in rags IS the oil most likely to cause spontaneous combustion.
It is very easy to simply take those paper towels into your yard and burn them- they go QUICK.
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Regards,
Lee Jarrett
Last edited by handejector; 02-11-2011 at 12:57 PM.
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02-11-2011, 01:34 PM
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Twice lucky, I'd say... Great revolver, great grips!
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02-11-2011, 02:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handejector
GREAT score!
Good for you.
Finding a loose pair of Ropers anywhere, anytime, is a major coup.
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Those grips are wearing the original finish.
They look great to me. If you think they are really dry, I would do nothing but oil them lightly with boiled linseed oil. Jack O'Connor favored a 50-50 mixture of oil and gum turpentine. Turpentine tears my sinuses up, so I use 50-50 oil and mineral spirits(paint thinner).
I would oil them liberally, and then wipe off all I could. Paper toweels work well for this. Lay one layer of paper towel over the checkering, and use a soft toothbrush to brush that paper towel into the checkering to dry the oil. Do as long as necessary to dry them. Any paper lint can be brushed out with that same soft toothbrush after the paper towel treatment. Simply rub the brush dry first with a paper towel.
They should barely look like you have oiled them at this point. Set them aside to dry a day or two. You just performed more of a cleaning than anything.
Linseed oil in rags IS the oil most likely to cause spontaneous combustion.
It is very easy to simply take those paper towels into your yard and burn them- they go QUICK.
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Thanks for the advice. I will give it a go with boiled linseed oil and post the results later on.
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02-11-2011, 04:13 PM
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Larry,
Congratulations! The gun & the grips are an awesome package.
Tom
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02-11-2011, 04:26 PM
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How does the gun letter regarding the front sight blade, and the
hammer ?
As Lee suggests a 50/50 mixture with linseed oil is the appropriate
finish. Dave Chicoine advised me, years ago, to put a spot of oil on
your thumb, and rub the wood vigorously. This will generate a bit
of mild heat, gives a very nice finish, and prevents too much oil from
going on the wood. Then wipe it dry. Its not possible to
rub the oil into the checkering !
Mike Priwer
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02-11-2011, 07:57 PM
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Betcha don't see many 5" M&P Target revolvers in Minnesota either! Or anywhere else, for that matter.
Nice piece.
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02-11-2011, 09:38 PM
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Congrats, Larry, fine combination of two great classics!
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John
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02-11-2011, 09:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikepriwer
How does the gun letter regarding the front sight blade, and the
hammer ?
As Lee suggests a 50/50 mixture with linseed oil is the appropriate
finish. Dave Chicoine advised me, years ago, to put a spot of oil on
your thumb, and rub the wood vigorously. This will generate a bit
of mild heat, gives a very nice finish, and prevents too much oil from
going on the wood. Then wipe it dry. Its not possible to
rub the oil into the checkering !
Mike Priwer
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Hi Mike,
Humpback hammer and red insert do not letter.
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02-12-2011, 01:08 AM
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Larry:
Great Package! I love the gun and the grips and would be pleased as punch to have either in my collection. BTW, is there a "story" that goes with the gun?
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Richard
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02-12-2011, 08:00 PM
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Super gun and grip combo, the grips appear untouched which makes them even more special. Lee and Mike's info will work fine or you can just leave them as you found them, they lasted this long, with reasonable care they should out last most of us. Thanks for showing.
Keith
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02-13-2011, 06:20 PM
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I don't want to stray too far off subject, but below is a pic of a Colt Officer's Model fitted with Ropers I found online a few years back. Both the gun and stocks must have been purchased and put away as I don't think it was shot. Question for you roper experts, does the finish look original? Thanks in advance!
Last edited by victorylarry; 02-13-2011 at 06:24 PM.
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02-13-2011, 08:13 PM
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Those Ropers are beautiful just the way they are. I have one set that I was lucky enough to come by that fits an I frame Colt. What I wouldn't give for a set that fits either an N or a K frame S&W.
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02-13-2011, 08:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by victorylarry
.... does the finish look original?
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Hmmm.... The overall style of your grips is nearly identical to this set of mine - not to mention that the finish looks pretty similar. Based on the Roper's I've seen, I'd say the finish is original.
Mark
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02-13-2011, 09:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handejector
GREAT score!
Good for you.
Finding a loose pair of Ropers anywhere, anytime, is a major coup.
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Those grips are wearing the original finish.
They look great to me. If you think they are really dry, I would do nothing but oil them lightly with boiled linseed oil. Jack O'Connor favored a 50-50 mixture of oil and gum turpentine. Turpentine tears my sinuses up, so I use 50-50 oil and mineral spirits(paint thinner).
I would oil them liberally, and then wipe off all I could. Paper toweels work well for this. Lay one layer of paper towel over the checkering, and use a soft toothbrush to brush that paper towel into the checkering to dry the oil. Do as long as necessary to dry them. Any paper lint can be brushed out with that same soft toothbrush after the paper towel treatment. Simply rub the brush dry first with a paper towel.
They should barely look like you have oiled them at this point. Set them aside to dry a day or two. You just performed more of a cleaning than anything.
Linseed oil in rags IS the oil most likely to cause spontaneous combustion.
It is very easy to simply take those paper towels into your yard and burn them- they go QUICK.
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Lee,
I would have thought that would make your toothbrush taste funny. Maybe that is why your sinuses act up, too. Just a thought.
Bob
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02-13-2011, 09:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wheelgun610
Hmmm.... The overall style of your grips is nearly identical to this set of mine - not to mention that the finish looks pretty similar. Based on the Roper's I've seen, I'd say the finish is original.
Mark
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Thanks Mark. Looks like you have the twin brother to my set...but since yours are on a smith, it's more like the half-brother! Thanks for the pics and info.
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02-13-2011, 11:24 PM
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The grips and the gun look great together. Nice find.
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