GUY HOGUE GRIPS

Toyman · #1 06-23-2020, 06:26 PM

Fuzzy Farrant and John Hurst Grips get a lot of love from grip collectors but Guy Hogue grips do not get the same attention.
There was a set sold on Ebay some time ago that were identified as Farrant's but I think they were Hogue's based a the interior of the grips.
Guy Hogue used white chalk to identify the sides of the grips and
used a brass colored screw. Hogue also put a support fixture inside the grips.
I believe the following are Hogue's.
#1 I believe these are a very early set with out the inside fixture but has the brass screw and white chalk.

#2 a later set with inside fixture.

#3 is for a Colt E/I frame with a letter

#4 J frame has white chalk and inside fixture

Also note on 2,3 and 4 the high wood on the right side of the grip that continues today.

Hoosier45 · #2 06-23-2020, 10:45 PM

Very nice Roy, I concur with your assessment. The early Hogue grips I have owned are of equal or superior fit, design, quality to the other makers. The set below is a rare N-Frame set made of an exotic wood. The grip angle and checkering is slightly different than your K-frame Rosewood set above.

H Richard · #3 06-24-2020, 09:56 AM

In 1986 he was at the Masters International Shooting Championship In Barry, IL with his trailer and grips to sell. These were the newer style with the bottom screw and one piece construction. I purchased a pair thich didn't quite fit my 686, so I took them back the next day and he had all the sanding/finishing equipment in his trailer and slightly sanded down the grips to fit perfectly. He explained to me there was no finish on the grips, and just to put a good wood wax on them every year or so.

I still have them on that same 686.

Pizza Bob · #4 06-24-2020, 11:00 AM

Bought these on eBay, years ago. They came with the wrong mounting hardware. Contacted Hogue and they sent me the correct hardware and told me that these are original Guy Hogue's.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Toyman · #5 06-24-2020, 12:14 PM

I spoke with Guy's son Pat at Shot Show. He told me his dad was more than a grip maker he did furniture, also. I showed him the letter and he said his dad wanted satisfied customers and he did all his own correspondence.

skilled · #6 06-29-2020, 02:41 PM

nyeti · #7 07-05-2020, 03:42 PM

Here is my Jim Clark Sr. built Smython with Guy Hogue asymmetrical stocks. It is an absolute work of art.

Keith Brown · #8 12-11-2020, 10:02 PM

This link just sent to me by Toyman, it deserves another go around I think.

Modified · #9 12-11-2020, 11:21 PM

I'm a madman for early Hogues, but I've only managed a few sets.

I think his success really confuses the market place for them, seeing as they are "just hogues". The reality of how damnably good early hogues are really has to felt to be understood.

Unfortunately my computer is toast, the one with all my old gun pictures on it, so I don't have any shots of the sets I own handy.

younggun22 · #10 12-12-2020, 12:05 AM

I sold a beautiful K frame set to a friend and I kick myself everytime I see one of these threads....

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

SG-688 · #11 12-12-2020, 12:35 AM

Two early pair of Hogue grips, both with islands - the reinforcement on the inletting side. Linde now has the checkered N frame pair on a trade for a pair of Farrants.
The smooth pair were poorly cut down from N frame to K frame size when I found them. I finished the job.

P.S. From the James Mason books and magazine articles in the 1970's, Hogue made several styles of grips without finger grooves. Later, on request, he'd whack the finger grooves off of a Monogrip.

Vtgw938 · #12 09-14-2021, 07:14 PM

Wanted to add this to the thread. I just picked up these Guy Hogue beauties in a small lot. I was happy to find that they were what I thought.

They are a little different in that they only have one finger groove at the base of the grip, have a covered back-strap, do not have as pronounced a palm-swell and are narrow at the bottom, without the usual flare. They are beautifully made of Rosewood and the grips come together on the back-strap to look almost like one-piece. The usual brass screw came with the grips but it is stripped so had to use a steel one I had on hand.

I was advised by Pat Hogue of Hogue Inc. and Guy Hogue's son that they did indeed appear like his dad's work, probably being made in the mid-70's and were likely of Brazilian Rosewood.

GUY HOGUE GRIPS-img_1230-jpg

Nightowl · #13 09-14-2021, 09:36 PM

I bought my first sets of Hogue wood grips back in the 70s at the NRA PPC championships in Jackson, Mississippi. They became my only grip of choice since then for Smiths! I have an N frame and one K frame two piece grips, and the rest are the one piece. It seems the one piece are proud on several guns, so I don't they fit as good as the old ones. My shooting guns wear the rubber Hogues for a better grip and softer recoil. Hogue grips just fit my smaller hand better than any other grip I have ever found. I should have bought stock in the company!! Well,maybe I did!

Vtgw938 · #14 11-28-2021, 04:11 PM

I was fortunate to pick these early Guy Hogue grips up in a trade. They are gorgeous, and even have shadow? lines along the joining edges. As you see they require a cut frame, but not as radical as usually seen with Farrant style grips. I had a 686 PPC gun so didn't feel bad cutting the frame to fit, leaving the serial number fully intact. To compliment the grips I installed a four inch barrel, factory rear sight and gave it a good polishing.

GUY HOGUE GRIPS-img_0224-2-jpg

Vtgw938 · #15 03-17-2022, 07:42 PM

Here is another set for the thread. These monogrips are a very early set, made in 1978-80 by Guy Hogue himself. They are made of Brazilian Rosewood and include the medallion which were being used on the early injection molded nylon grips. At this time, Mr. Hogue was making the wood grips by hand, using power tools. This information was provided by Patrick Hogue, and I thank him.

I was happy to find that these were for an N frame and in monogrip fashion, they slipped right on my 28-2.

GUY HOGUE GRIPS-early-monogrips-4-jpg

LPD256 · #16 03-17-2022, 10:19 PM

Here are some 70’s rubber Monogrips on a 15-3 I purchased. Enjoy.

Vtgw938 · #17 04-11-2022, 11:43 AM

These early monogrips take lamination to a whole new level. The bulk of the grip was intact when I received them, however there were several pieces missing and evidence of previous re-gluing.

Patrick Hogue remembered these grips, which were made by his dad. He was pretty sure they were either one of one or possibly one of two.

GUY HOGUE GRIPS-lam-mono-jpg

SmithNut · #18 04-11-2022, 02:05 PM

Enjoyed seeing this thread, it answers a couple questions for me regarding a pair of grips that have been sitting in my old grips box for a few years.

The pics below are the grips, they appear to be of the style that nyeti shows on his Smython (post #7 above), but his are in "wood" while mine appear to be a composite material from the molding marks on the inside.

Can anyone tell me more, i.e., timeframe when these would have been made, value, etc...?

These are for a square butt K-frame.

SmithNut · #19 04-11-2022, 02:19 PM

This thread has another surprise for me, the hammer on Vtgw938's M686 is pretty cool (as is the gun...

), it has the same shape as only two revolver offerings ever had from the factory (pics below of his M686 and the two I'm referencing from the PC).

GUY HOGUE GRIPS-img_0221-2-jpg

The two models above are, to my knowledge, the only two models that ever had these hammers, as provided by the PC.
The one on Vtgw938's M686 appears to be the same shape, but it's in stainless (or flash chromed), and I'm curious if that was "made" when customizing his revolver, or was that by chance something purchased from the PC??
Love the shape as compared to what the "regular" factory provided on bobbed hammer models... (example below on a NY-1 M64-5)

Vtgw938 · #20 04-11-2022, 03:49 PM

The hammer on my M686 was cut during the PPC gun build. Since putting it back to stock I have put a new hammer in it.

SmithNut · #21 04-11-2022, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vtgw938

The hammer on my M686 was cut during the PPC gun build. Since putting it back to stock I have put a new hammer in it.

Thanks for the reply!

It looks great, nicely done...

That answers another question, that is can a factory hammer be "bobbed" and have the shape of the PC K frames shown... apparently the answer is yes..

I'll need to practice on an old L frame hammer to "shape up" and get ready for yet another project... !

merl67 · #22 04-11-2022, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LPD256

Here are some 70’s rubber Monogrips on a 15-3 I purchased. Enjoy.

I have a set of these Pat. Pending on a Ruger Security Six I have always wondered how old they are.

Moo Moo · #23 04-11-2022, 10:21 PM

How can you tell the difference between a Guy Hogue wooden Monogrip and a later mass produced one? I recently purchased this used Model 28-2 which came with a wooden Monogrip.

GUY HOGUE GRIPS-img_7643-jpg

Vtgw938 · #24 04-12-2022, 08:25 AM

Moo Moo:

I'm not sure you can tell the difference but the inletting might look slightly different. My understanding is Guy Hogue was making monogrips by hand (with power tools) for a time prior to the use of CNC or other machinery.

Potential indications of older monogrips is the high right right shoulder on S&W's (some makes still have it), brass escutcheons and stirrups that have a pin and bushing set up. The identification of my Guy Hogue made monogrips was done was Guy's son, Patrick Hogue.

SG-688 · #25 04-12-2022, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmithNut

The pics below are the grips, they appear to be of the style that nyeti shows on his Smython (post #7 above), but his are in "wood" while mine appear to be a composite material from the molding marks on the inside.

Can anyone tell me more, i.e., timeframe when these would have been made, value, etc...?
....

The two-piece plastic grips are by Bill Rogers of Rogers Holsters, later sold to Safariland, from the late 1970's. As with Hogue, Rogers later added the ugly large medallion to the right side, so yours are early. At least some of the later grips are thicker.

Ten years ago, in response to a discussion here, I sent an email to the current Rogers company, and to my pleasant surprise, Bill answered.
No mention of paying Guy Hogue.

======================================

From: RogersWH at aol.com
Date: 3-28-12

I purchased a pair of Hogue grips in the late 1970s. They did not fit my hand but I liked the palm swell concept that Guy Hogue had developed. Also the fit on the revolver was loose.

I then made my own grips that fit my hand and transferred the patterns to carbon. We then used the EDM process to make molds for the patterns. I designed the molded tabs that would automatically fit the different variations of the Smith Frames. I then developed the process to make the Burlwud, synthetic wood finish.

I hope this is helpful.

----Bill Rogers

=========================

Catalog page attached is from 1982. I had a 70's catalog but dumped it when I had to winnow the herd.

P.S. As to value: I think of these as $20 grips, but as with everything else prices have been shooting up. Maybe now in the $50 range.

Moo Moo · #26 04-12-2022, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vtgw938

Moo Moo:

I'm not sure you can tell the difference but the inletting might look slightly different. My understanding is Guy Hogue was making monogrips by hand (with power tools) for a time prior to the use of CNC or other machinery.

Potential indications of older monogrips is the high right right shoulder on S&W's (some makes still have it), brass escutcheons and stirrups that have a pin and bushing set up. The identification of my Guy Hogue made monogrips was done was Guy's son, Patrick Hogue.

Many thanks for the info.

Hoosier45 · #27 04-13-2022, 09:30 AM

ramprat · #28 04-13-2022, 05:18 PM

Here is my S&W 10-10 wearing Bill Rogers black composite grips with a Rogers paddle holster.
Gary

Vtgw938 · #29 10-06-2022, 09:37 AM

Here is a set of rosewood N frame grips made by Guy Hogue and have S&W medallions installed and have dowels for alignment. The medallions are used ones removed from a set of S&W grips and the doweling is 1/8 inch in diameter but have been cut off on these grips.

The use of of dowels is how the later wood monogrips would be pegged and glued together.

GUY HOGUE GRIPS-gb-guy-hogue-n7a-jpg

Hawg Rider · #30 10-07-2022, 08:39 AM

These are some old Posts, but I'll chime in anyway. I have several sets of rubber Hogue stocks, but only one set of Hogue's wooden stocks. I picked up this Colt Python (ca. 1980) several years ago from a local gun shop...the previous owner had used it as a "truck gun" and it is a little rough. It has its share of dings and was wearing rubber Pachmayrs, but since the price was $700 I couldn't pass it up. At the time I didn't have the funds to buy a set of original Gen 3 Colt stocks for it, so I decided on these Hogue's. I really like them, and although large, they fit my hand well. Maybe one of these days I'll pick up some Gen 3 stocks, but for now the Hogue's are great.

Vtgw938 · #31 12-12-2023, 05:10 PM

Here are some additions to the Guy Hogue thread. All are nice but the two piece Guy Hogue K frame round butt stocks as well as the Hogue monogrips are just beautiful. They also have the same checkering, assumed to be done by Aaron Hogue. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has seen monogrips with this type of checkering. They are very early mono's, with tiny brass escutcheons and possibly made by Guy himself.

GUY HOGUE GRIPS-round-butt-k-j2-jpg

Vtgw938 · #32 12-13-2023, 10:42 AM

Additional pics.

GUY HOGUE GRIPS-checkered-n2-jpg

Keith Brown · #33 12-14-2023, 03:11 PM

Great to see these stocks being appreciated for what they are. And great photos, can't ever have too many of those.

Best

Vtgw938 · #34 12-14-2023, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Brown

Great to see these stocks being appreciated for what they are. And great photos, can't ever have too many of those.

Best

Back in the day I had Hogue rubber grips on duty & PPC revolvers. Didn't even know about the early two piece Guy Hogue stocks and probably didn't know about the woods mono's. I know some don't like the high right shoulder and some are not fans of finger grooves but I really like them, both appearance and fit.

Vtgw938 · #35 03-17-2024, 10:18 AM

Here is a set of N round butt monogrips that have been identified as being made by Guy Hogue himself by the chalk writing. Interesting that they have a covered recoil shoulder.

GUY HOGUE GRIPS-img_3197-jpg

James K · #36 03-17-2024, 07:27 PM

These came on an Officer Model Match I picked up last year. According to Hogue they are pre-CNC made Pau Ferro Colt Python (I frame). Inlet and rough shaped by mechanical pantograph equipment then Hand fit and Checkered.
Sorry I don't have any custom ones for my Smiths, just the rubber jobs.

Toyman · #37 03-17-2024, 07:42 PM

VERY NICE !