I went to an auction and picked up a NICE 41 SN 991X I cant wait to get out and fire it. I had a quick question, this gun came with some intresting grips. They are what looks to be elephant ivory, intricately carved with oriental dragons. How would I go about pricing these things? I will post pictures in a bit.

Hello,
First off, If you didn't letter that gun, Before you decided to do something with the grips, it would be a real Shame. Just my opinion.

What would be the point of lettering? the stock grips came with it so I doubt they came with the gun... what all does a letter come with for the $50

Unfortunately there is a chance that all you will find is the date and where the gun was shipped to.
On the other side, there is a chance, that the gun, and the fancy Ivory Grips, Unheard of by me, and probably most S&W model 41 lovers here on the forum.
Could have been something presented to someone by S&W, or for who knows what.
One Particular model 41 To Give you a For Instance, had someones name Engraved on the side of the slide and barrel, Nobody wanted to buy this on GB, and it sold for some $750.00.
That gun was a presentation gun, and has a significant value to it, at better than 10 times paid for it.
Your money maybe better spent on a brick of 22LR ammo.
Not everybody cares about knowing where things may have come from.
A photo of those Grips, would sure be nice to see here.

Here are the photos if I did it right.

Attached Images

	Mod41.jpg (27.3 KB, 155 views)
	Mod41-2.jpg (24.9 KB, 142 views)
	Handles-1.jpg (70.9 KB, 237 views)
	Handles2-1.jpg (78.1 KB, 206 views)

you did it Right, and all I can say is WOW.

Those are really sharp and could be the only pair in the world for all we know made of Ivory. Somebody sure did nice work on them. Wish I had them on mine as the guys at my club would eat their hearts out just to see them alone. Definitely extremely rare for sure.

Not the only pair in the world, Siggarm has a pair,
the model 41 was sent to China where the grips were made
for the gun. These may only fit this frame. Grips can be switched
between other model 41s, but it does not mean they will fit
exactly. The model 41 grips were shaped on the frames, and
believe me, some of the newer grips, will not fit the older frames.

I concur with smithfan, Wow...very nice

Certainly not a common gun to have Ivory grips made for but nice never the less!

That motif is usually referred to as "Dragon Chasing Pearl" and is fairly common on M1911A1 pistols that US service men had done in occupied Japan. I've also seen the theme on Victory Model and M1917 revolvers.

Regards,
Kevin Williams

__________________
Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

Please, put those ivories on the 41 and post a picture!

I agree as if that's where they belong then place then back on there for us all to see them Please. They are not something we do get to see every day aye.

I get home monday and will take some pictures as soon as I can.

I know we all will appreciate in seeing that for sure.

Worked a few days late lol.

Attached Images

2013-09-06 16.35.55.jpg (12.8 KB, 92 views)

I still need to clean them up a bit. I cleaned up the gun last night and it is beautiful.

Attached Images

2013-09-06 16.47.41.jpg (19.6 KB, 92 views)

If actually ivory, are they legal to sell based on the CITES laws?
Bruce

Slling and buying of ivory IS NOT ALLOWED INTERNATIONALLY. It cannot be exported or imported to the U.S. and most of the countries delegated to the U.N., BUT... it is LEGAL TO OWN, SELL, BUY, or SHIP within the boundaries of the U.S. and there are NO PERMITS or REGISTRATION requirements! *The majority of african elephant ivory is "old estate" ivory that was brought into this country since its' inception.

Very Nice. Thanks for sharing those. I'd love to hear the whole story on those regarding who, how, why, original cost, etc. They look like they belong in a museum.