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Old 01-18-2017, 12:07 AM
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Stumbled across this on eBay and just had to have it for my K38.

I think it's from 1956 or 1957 given the box. It mentions the Combat Magnum, but not model numbers so I don't think it's any newer. Anyone able to confirm?

Don't see 60 year old T-Grips like this (with box) in great shape off of a gun too often!

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Old 01-18-2017, 12:21 AM
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well i just got a few of them just like that for a two older colts and the seller told me they were mid 50's ..i am told the older ones said Melvin Tyler on them and just seen one sell for crazy money on ebay too ...i have bought four that look as nice or nicer than that one in the past year...they are more common that u think...i was shocked too when i found my first one in like new condition...God Bless,John

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Old 01-18-2017, 12:22 AM
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Can't put an exact time frame on age, but the one your showing that has the etched product name are newer.

The ones that have the stamped name are the older ones. I had about 150 of the stamped ones, black and polished, that I sold here and E-bay last year or so. $30 and $45 New in undamaged boxes with original tissues.
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Old 01-18-2017, 12:47 AM
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Interesting. I've seen the pics of the new ones, they don't have any stamping/etching at all.

So this may be an "old box, newer part" confusion?

I just saw one on eBay right now that's stamped, it's black. Maybe I need another one?
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Old 01-18-2017, 12:56 AM
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I have been buying T-Grips since 1960 and have never seen any marked this way. All I have seen have the markings cast into the surface, not laser etched as this one. Aside from this they cannot be earlier than 1963, the year that ZIP Codes began.
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Old 01-18-2017, 01:34 AM
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The few that I have are marked on the inside with the model # shown under the inside grip/pincher flats.
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Old 01-18-2017, 02:22 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alk8944 View Post
I have been buying T-Grips since 1960 and have never seen any marked this way. All I have seen have the markings cast into the surface, not laser etched as this one. Aside from this they cannot be earlier than 1963, the year that ZIP Codes began.
Good info! Well I have an enigma wrapped in a mystery. I didn't pay much, so no big deal there, but sounds like for sure the item doesn't match the box.

Obviously nothing from the 1950s or 1960s is going to be laser etched, but they had other methods that looked similar.

Maybe I'll email the company, they're still in business...
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Old 01-18-2017, 02:29 AM
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I found this pic doing a Google search, so mine isn't unique.

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Old 01-18-2017, 07:52 AM
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As ALK said zip codes didn't come about until 1963. Older Tylers had a city zone number instead. I have one somewhere that I'll try to dig out.
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Old 01-18-2017, 10:14 AM
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Chronologically:

Earliest production, stamped, 2-piece box:



Melvin dropped from markings, stamped, 2-piece box:



Addition of ZIP code, stamped, 2- or 1-piece box:



Etched markings, 1-piece box:



Currect production, no markings, plastic bag:

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Old 01-23-2017, 08:04 PM
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Not doing too well with eBay this month. Bought some Fitz walnut target K frame grips with "character" for my K22, turns out they are actually for an N frame (seller's error). I don't own an N frame these would work well with. So, unless I can arrange a return I might just sell 'em here...
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Old 03-14-2017, 06:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -db- View Post
Chronologically:

Earliest production, stamped, 2-piece box:



Melvin dropped from markings, stamped, 2-piece box:



Addition of ZIP code, stamped, 2- or 1-piece box:



Etched markings, 1-piece box:



Currect production, no markings, plastic bag:


hey i forgot to ask...what years were each one?...does anyone know?....thank u for the great info...Love it..God Bless,John
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Old 03-14-2017, 11:07 PM
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No idea, but I got one of those early "Melvin" ones for a 27-2 recently. That post was a great guide!
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Old 03-15-2017, 01:30 AM
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well i have been trading mine out for older ones for mine too..
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Old 03-15-2017, 01:59 AM
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I bought a black one a while ago with no writing on it (like the new ones), but in a 1950s box with the tissue paper that looked like Melvin himself wrapped it. If someone was trying to fake a vintage one, he wasn't trying very hard to make money on it; I paid $25, considerably less than the new ones cost wrapped in clear plastic .
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Old 06-26-2018, 07:25 PM
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Thanks, -db- !!! I speculated on the vintage of the Tylers, and pretty much thought it was something like this, but your photos sure help. Except the last one has disappeared.

I just bought 2 with the "Melvin" plus the pre zip code "postal code" (14), plus one without the "Melvin", but still 14 postal code.. So these must be pre 1963, when the zip code came in, and earliest, because of the "Melvin". Two were number 3, and one number 5. $61.00 plus $3 shipping, so let's say about $21.00 each. I think that's a pretty fair price, and I am happy, although as much as I love the Tylers, and as many guns as I have, I still need lots more!! I try to match the vintage of the Tyler to the vintage of the gun as much as possible.



Best Regards, Les
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