s&w 32-20 hand ejector with ivory grips i think
- Thread starter don 65
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I have one very much like yours, with less fancy (plastic) grips, Serial # 72xx with a 5" barrel. They do look like old ivory to me, for what my opinion might be worth.
Looks good to me! ( ie: probably Ivory and right for the period, if likely old time Aftermarket rather than Factory ).
Is this a 4 Screw ( pre-five-Screw ) then?
Can you add a few more pictures?
opoefc
US Veteran
If the grips are factory original to the gun, the right grip will have the gun's serial number on the back. Probably in ink or pencil. Ed.
DWalt
Member
It looks like real ivory. I don't recommend it, but one way of testing that is to heat a needle red hot and stick it into an unexposed surface. The hot needle will melt and penetrate plastic. It will not penetrate ivory. You can also test for its density, as ivory is somewhat denser than most plastics.
Of course, making and possessing ivory grips in the USA is highly illegal. I don't think that law applies to old ivory items that existed when the ivory ban was imposed.
Of course, making and possessing ivory grips in the USA is highly illegal. I don't think that law applies to old ivory items that existed when the ivory ban was imposed.
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DWalt
Member
There is a good summary of the ivory ban here: The Ins and Outs of Owning Ivory | Follow the Stories | Antiques Roadshow | PBS
rburg
Member
Ya know, I never thought I'd get to the point where I absolutely hate our government. But the misconduct of government officials is just out of hand. We say they won't be coming door to door to confiscate things that were perfectly legal to buy and own for years. But now we see the communists confiscating NY guns that are capable of holding 5 or more rounds.
It could just be a matter of time until they want to pile up and burn all of our guns with ivory handles. Same for knives. Basically, if you've got a 100 year old gun with period (appearing) grips, it should be safe. But you also have no real protection against an overly ambitious government person who wants to confiscate it. And I feel confident in saying they won't take the ivory off and hand you back the gun.
On occasion we hear of government representatives at gun shows trying to confiscate all ivory artifacts. At many of the shows I attend, I see Colt grips that appear ancient. But I doubt if any of the lawful owners have all the import documents some weinne could dream up as being satisfactory.
I've even seen a few tusks for sale over the years. The more impressive ones even have the papers from the time to get them into the country. Most don't. I've even purchased grips that include a photocopy of some long lost form swearing they were imported legally decades ago. I can also see some eco-freak dismissing them out of hand. I personally like ivory as a substance. Its so warm and easy to work and polish.
So with this thread and the 32-20, keep the gun loaded. If someone comes to confiscate it, give them the gun. Bullets first.
It could just be a matter of time until they want to pile up and burn all of our guns with ivory handles. Same for knives. Basically, if you've got a 100 year old gun with period (appearing) grips, it should be safe. But you also have no real protection against an overly ambitious government person who wants to confiscate it. And I feel confident in saying they won't take the ivory off and hand you back the gun.
On occasion we hear of government representatives at gun shows trying to confiscate all ivory artifacts. At many of the shows I attend, I see Colt grips that appear ancient. But I doubt if any of the lawful owners have all the import documents some weinne could dream up as being satisfactory.
I've even seen a few tusks for sale over the years. The more impressive ones even have the papers from the time to get them into the country. Most don't. I've even purchased grips that include a photocopy of some long lost form swearing they were imported legally decades ago. I can also see some eco-freak dismissing them out of hand. I personally like ivory as a substance. Its so warm and easy to work and polish.
So with this thread and the 32-20, keep the gun loaded. If someone comes to confiscate it, give them the gun. Bullets first.
DWalt
Member
While I agree that natural ivory is a wonderful material, I also believe that the ivory trade is an enormously cruel business. I wish there was some way to stop the illegal activity completely. I've seen elephants which were slaughtered by poachers for their tusks, and a sadder sight you cannot imagine.
Back in the 70s,an exchange student from the ivory coast,son of a diplomat, had a crush on my little sister.He gave our mother an ornately carved 30" tusk,that she still has on display.I wonder what that thing is worth?
rburg
Member
'Bout 10 years hard labor.
DWalt
Member
If you can establish its age, probably it's legal. There is no ivory police. Problem would be more likely to arise if you tried to sell it to a (law-abiding) dealer.
At least from 1900, and probably earlier, factory ivory stocks had gold medallions.
No doubt about it.
Mike Priwer
No doubt about it.
Mike Priwer
I thought that non-standard Factory Stocks, matched the shape and form of what ever the Stocks were during a given time period.
In the time period when none of the Wood Stocks had Medallions ( early on, then again in the 'twenties ) would the special order Stocks not have matched those in detail? And also had no Medallions?
Cooter Brown
Member
The red hot needle test will most certainly leave a mark on the ivory. If you use that test do it on the inside of the grip so it doesn't show.
When you do that test s manmade material will smell manmade, like plastic, ivory will smell more like burning hair. There's a huge difference.
Ivory that old gets a fairly distinctive look and the grain shows up well. Pics of the bottom (the butt) of the gun would help.
When you do that test s manmade material will smell manmade, like plastic, ivory will smell more like burning hair. There's a huge difference.
Ivory that old gets a fairly distinctive look and the grain shows up well. Pics of the bottom (the butt) of the gun would help.
keith44spl
Member
Don 65,
Looks like pre-ban ivory to me
Nice catch!
Dave
.
.
Ever hear of that lit'l agency called....U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
.
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Pearl and ivory are better thought of as optional stocks. In the case of these two,
the factory was concerned about fakes and copies, so they purposely put medallions
in them - regardless of the configuration for wood stocks.
The nickel gun in this picture is a Model of 1899, shipped around 1900 - 1901. The
blue gun is around 1901. The nickel gun letters with those pearl stocks. These two
guns are 4" target revolvers.
This next picture is two 1899 4" M&P' revolvers. The gun with the pearl stocks was a special
order; the letter says that it was probably because of the pearl stocks.
Regards, Mike Priwer
Here is yet another, and perhaps the best, example of optional factory stocks. This is
a 32-20 from 1908, that was ordered with pearl grips, and an extra pair of wood grips.
In 1908, the configuration for wood grips was concave non-medallion.
This next picture is a closer-up view of the pearl (and ivory grips). The pearl grips came
with the gun; the ivory grips are from the period, and I had the opportunity to acquire
them many years ago.
This last image is the factory invoice for this 32-20 with two pair of stocks.
Regards, Mike Priwer
a 32-20 from 1908, that was ordered with pearl grips, and an extra pair of wood grips.
In 1908, the configuration for wood grips was concave non-medallion.
This next picture is a closer-up view of the pearl (and ivory grips). The pearl grips came
with the gun; the ivory grips are from the period, and I had the opportunity to acquire
them many years ago.
This last image is the factory invoice for this 32-20 with two pair of stocks.
Regards, Mike Priwer
