UPDATE- Now CHECKERED>>>Tooth of the Pachyderm, a la Roper

handejector

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A couple of years or so back, I bought a pair of ivory K frame targets. A modern pair, they no doubt had roots in the Orient. Apparently, the maker had faithfully copied a very late pair of Football relief Targets, because they were very large. They were also shaped like a rectangle on the bottom with rounded corners. You know- the kind of Targets that have ALL the grace and comfortable feel of a nice 2X4 block. Well, ALMOST as good as the 2X4. They had cheesy little circles glued on the back made of ivory- a new touch I had not seen before. To top it all off, they would not even go on a gun. The first time I tried, one was so tight, the little ivory circle popped off!
DAMN!
Not being one to refrain from throwing good money after bad, it occured to me that maybe Tim could make some of his magic pre-war type circles to get me back on the right road, and maybe even install some pre-war medallions. When I talked to him about it, he seemed very willing to undertake a total revamp.
Soooooo, I had this pair of Ropers I liked the shape of. I took it all to Tim- ivories, Ropers, and Gold medallions. It took a while, but some times it ALL comes together.
DO NOT trust these pics to do them justice- till you wrap your hand around 'em you WON'T understand; it is a near-sensual experience. The flair at the bottom, the eccentric palm swell, the unique texture of ivory.....ahhhhhhh.
I've got more money in them than many of my guns cost, but what the........

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This is, by the way, the most tricked-out 5 screw K-38 I ever ran across. BRIGHT Blue, Red POST, white outline, Target trigger and hammer, and Sandersen thumbrest grips when I found it in a gun shop in Chicago.


5-29-08 -- UPDATE
I now have them back from Keith Brown, checkered with a Roper Double Ribbon pattern. Keith did a FABULOUS job:


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The screw and escutcheons are Pre-War factory. I could not stand the thought of non-factory hardware if we were going to the trouble of making pre-war circles and installing factory medallions. A few years ago, I stumbled across a little cloth bag at a gun show with four complete sets in it:

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Lee, it was my pleasure, I do enjoy doing this kind of work. Seeing it all together and the smile on your face makes it all the better . I just wish that I was a little faster doing this kind of work.

Now if I could just get a pair for myself. Oh well maybe someday.

Lee, thanks for the opportunity.

Tim.
 
Lee,
What a gorgeous set of ivories.
Tim is a master, alright!
Thanks for sharing a seldom-seen treat with us.
Don
 
Don, I believe you own a set of ivory with the big silver medallions and prewar style backing washer that I did sometime back. I wanted to put a set of factory escutcheons and screw and do a little more clean up work but the owner at that time did not want it done.

Tim
 
Originally posted by Timb1:
Don, I believe you own a set of ivory with the big silver medallions and prewar style backing washer that I did sometime back. I wanted to put a set of factory escutcheons and screw and do a little more clean up work but the owner at that time did not want it done.

Tim
Tim,
Are you speaking of the first set of magnas that you did? That was the first of your work that I had ever seen. NICE, of course.
 
Lee:

BEAUTIFUL - Congrats and thanks for posting. Can I assume that those grips will be on your "list" shortly
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?

Tim:

Your work is stunning!
 
Can I assume that those grips will be on your "list" shortly?
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Lemme see.....tryin' to remember that old cliche about "cold dead fingers".......
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Lee, I beleive that is is the same set we are talking about, a set of magna style N frame ivory.
 
Tim,
I believe you are correct.
I did some additional 'clean up' and detailing, but (obviously) left the escutcheons alone.
The grips will go onto a transitional .45 M 1950 Target when the new ones for the RM arrive.
I like your work!
Don
 
hey Lee, did you personally wrestle that 'pachyderm' for his "tooth", or was that one of your 'earlier' kills of the might 'mastadon' ( I didn't think you were THAT old.........)
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(see you this weekend.............)



Very "nice" looking grips by the way.........
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I was lucky enough to be able to take an up close look at those at the last OGCA show, a beautiful job by Tim on great piece of ivory. They feel even better in the hand than they look. Hope to see everybody this weekend.

Keith
 
Lee, I don't know if you realize it, but you are only 1/2 done. You must return these ivories to Tim and have him complete the job - that is to checker and carve them "a la Roper" style flor-de-lies, then you will have the piece-de-resistance! If Tim is too busy, send them to me - I'll fire up the chain saw and Roperize tham! Ed.
 
If Tim is too busy, send them to me - I'll fire up the chain saw and Roperize tham! Ed.
Thanks, Ed. I'm really considering letting you do them.....
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Wait by your mailbox, in case they show up!
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Actually, I'm thinking of getting Keith Brown to do a double ribbon Roper pattern.
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Those grips are really beautiful, Lee and Tim. Congrats to you both. I really like how you were able to turn the poorly executed original grips into what we see here.

High praise indeed, Keith!
 
Originally posted by Onomea:
Those grips are really beautiful, Lee and Tim. Congrats to you both. I really like how you were able to turn the poorly executed original grips into what we see here.

High praise indeed, Keith!
Just to clarify- Tim did ALL the work: He MADE the circles. Then, he extended the shafts on the medallions so they could be bradded (they were too short), and installed them and the circles, AND the factory screw escutcheons. Tim did ALL the shaping on the ivory also. THANKS again, Tim!
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