I have hand carved pre-ban elephant ivory grips for a L frame square butt 357 mag. model 581. I know that they are pre-ban because my step Dad acquired this handgun in 1984 and it had these grips on it when he acquired it. They were carved in India, but I do not have any documentation for them. Does anyone know if It is legal for me to sell these grips ?

Without making a fuss I think you are OK.

I think if it's already here, you're OK?
Steve

Your ok. I recently had some made for my 1911. The maker with the full blanks is the only one that needs to keep up with paperwork for the ivory. I asked him if I was suppose to have paperwork for my grips and he said no but would send it in I wanted it. So I believe your safe.

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Get off my lawn!

Thank you very much for your replies. After I posted this thread I read a thread on this site quoting a long time Antique Road Show member stating that it is legal for me to sell my pre-ban worked ivory ( Carved ) in the United States. It confirms your replies. I will take some pictures and list them on this site. Have a great day !!!

lefty,
as I understand it to sell the grips to someone from another state you must have documentation proving that the ivory was
here before January 18, 1998.
it is not clear to me what kind of documentation would satisfy the federal government.
I do know that selling African ivory interstate without such documentation can result in heavy fines and jail time.
I would be interested to find out how you documented the grips, just in case a federal agent comes knocking at your door.