How Are Pearl Grips Made?
 

I know absolutely nothing about the subject but I've never seen a pearl big enough to carve a grip out of.

My best guess is that they grind up the pearl and form it or just use fake pearl.

Care to enlighten me.

Yes, the term "pearl" is just the look. They are not made from real pearls. Most are some form of plastic or polymer.

First, you start with a gun-shaped oyster....


:D

Big, flat snails.

Come on guys. The smart folks don't make them, they go to Naw Lins and find a pimp, then shoot him and take his grips! :D

There's this big shell out in the ocean, think Baja California. They generally find the Abalone shells out in the water. Then they sell them to folks that make things out of "mother of pearl". Notice the grips aren't pearl, they're made from the shell or mother of the pearl. Generally the shells are worked under water. The problem is the dust from the shells are toxic. I've read highly toxic, but I doubt that. The other approach is to work them with a mask on, supplying oxygen to keep the workers alive.

If you look at the grips others have, you'll see some have a curvature on the inside. Some shells are just not thick enough to make gun grips. Those are used for other purposes.

Check out the mother of pearl grips for 1911's on the following link. Great video. I've bought from them several times and have been very happy.

Handmade product made of : Buffalo Horn - Bone - Mother Of Pearl, KIMSON Handicraft - Handmade natural product : Handgun grip - Eyewear - Shaving brush - Hair Comb

What was it that Patton said about pearl grips? ;);)

patton - "only a pimp in a two bit New Orleans whorehouse carries a pearl handled revolver."