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

handejector · #1 01-09-2008, 10:47 PM

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........

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:

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:

handejector · #2 01-09-2008, 10:47 PM

Edited- duplicate of first post.

j38 · #3 01-09-2008, 11:20 PM

Lee, A strikingly beautiful combination! Thanks for the pics, Jerry

Timb1 · #4 01-10-2008, 05:19 AM

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.

DHENRY · #5 01-10-2008, 07:50 AM

Lee,
What a gorgeous set of ivories.
Tim is a master, alright!
Thanks for sharing a seldom-seen treat with us.
Don

Timb1 · #6 01-10-2008, 08:06 AM

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

handejector · #7 01-10-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

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.

RKmesa · #8 01-10-2008, 08:14 AM

Lee:

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

?

Tim:

Your work is stunning!

handejector · #9 01-10-2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Can I assume that those grips will be on your "list" shortly?

Lemme see.....tryin' to remember that old cliche about "cold dead fingers".......

Timb1 · #10 01-10-2008, 08:38 AM

Lee, I beleive that is is the same set we are talking about, a set of magna style N frame ivory.

DHENRY · #11 01-10-2008, 10:05 AM

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

dant · #12 01-10-2008, 10:30 AM

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.........)

(see you this weekend.............)

Very "nice" looking grips by the way.........

JayCeeNC · #13 01-10-2008, 10:54 AM

Very nice, Lee and Tim.
Thanks for sharing a really beautiful piece of work!

Keith Brown · #14 01-10-2008, 05:05 PM

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

Tijeras_Slim · #15 01-10-2008, 05:56 PM

I'll throw in a "We're NOT Worthy!" on this one.

opoefc · #16 01-10-2008, 06:36 PM

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.

DHENRY · #17 01-10-2008, 07:18 PM

Ed,

Don

handejector · #18 01-10-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

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.....

Wait by your mailbox, in case they show up!

Actually, I'm thinking of getting Keith Brown to do a double ribbon Roper pattern.

Onomea · #19 01-11-2008, 03:17 PM

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!

handejector · #20 01-15-2008, 06:58 AM

Quote:

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!

dick44 · #21 01-15-2008, 09:22 PM

Lee
you being such a nice guy
just send both sets of grips to me.
I an sure I can give then proper use
dick44

Timb1 · #22 01-16-2008, 02:08 PM

Lee, thanks for all the kind words. I hope they serve you for along time and if you get tired of them don't forget me. I would like to own something as nice as them.

Tim

handejector · #23 05-29-2008, 07:47 AM

UPDATE-

The grips are now checkered- see the initial post for new pics.

Dan M · #24 05-29-2008, 07:53 AM

Lee,
They turned out absolutely Beautiful. Now you will have to decide what gun they go on. and maybe change the picture on your Website

Thanks for showing us

Dan

Kaplan · #25 05-29-2008, 08:07 AM

Those are completely awesome.

Raider · #26 05-29-2008, 08:39 AM

Awesome and gorgeous are words not used lightly but they describe those grips. Now I gotta wipe the drool off my keyboard.

Timb1 · #27 05-29-2008, 09:01 AM

I wonder what Mr. Roper would think?

DHENRY · #28 05-29-2008, 10:14 AM

Lee,
Most beautiful grips I've ever seen!
Darn good man, Keith!
Don

JayCeeNC · #29 05-29-2008, 12:30 PM

Just...WOW!

digi-shots · #30 05-29-2008, 05:37 PM

double WOW WOW !!

DWFAN · #31 05-29-2008, 08:01 PM

Dang son, those are some fine lookin handles.

DW

j38 · #32 05-29-2008, 08:06 PM

VERY nice work, indeed!

Regards, Jerry

merlindrb · #33 05-30-2008, 07:58 AM

Those are stunning Lee. Aren't they a bit large for your carry gun??

I'm now digging around in the grip drawers for some ivories to send up to Keith!

(Mr Radiphuti Says "allo" by the way!)

handejector · #34 05-30-2008, 08:49 AM

Thanks, guys. I love 'em.

Dave-
You better call or email first! He told me he would NEVER do any more. He used 7 cutters on this pair, compared to one on a wood pair.

Quote:

(Mr Radiphuti Says "allo" by the way!)

You pay close attention to him. I forsee a brilliant future for you with Dell Customer Service, Day's Inn, or the Convenience Store industry!

Onomea · #35 05-31-2008, 03:15 AM

Very, very nice!

A coupla years ago I was corresponding with Keith about the idea of executing a Roper set of grips in all ivory. I wound up sticking with wood, tho I did look around for some ivory slabs for a while.

How'd Keith find working with the ivory? Is it considerably more difficult than with wood?

Hmm, I've got some plain jane ivory magnas w/o medallions... Might be fun to turn 'em into prewar K magnas in ivory....

Yep, I like ivory a lot!

handejector · #36 05-31-2008, 04:33 AM

Quote:

How'd Keith find working with the ivory? Is it considerably more difficult than with wood?

As I told Dave-
"You better call or email first! He told me he would NEVER do any more. He used 7 cutters on this pair, compared to one on a wood pair."

Big Rich · #37 06-02-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tijeras_Slim:
I'll throw in a "We're NOT Worthy!" on this one.

I'll add another one. Those are absolutley stunning.

RKmesa · #38 06-02-2008, 09:19 PM

Lee:

Some of the nicest ivories that I have ever seen! - Exquisite!!!!

diamond_c · #39 11-07-2009, 10:22 PM

WOW...Those are breathtaking!!

Did I mention that I'm up for adoption? I take out trash, yardwork, clean guns..........

jag312 · #40 11-07-2009, 11:27 PM

There is nothing better than ivory grips. I am very happy for you. Just looking at them puts a smile on my face.

long colt frazier · #41 11-08-2009, 11:19 AM

Pure class ;-)

Dave T · #42 11-08-2009, 12:40 PM

To me this is a classic example of what is meant by... the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. As you said in an early post, you probably do have too much invested but I wouldn't give that a second thought. Just look at and appreciate the result.

Dave

DCWilson · #43 11-08-2009, 12:46 PM

Somehow I completely missed both the original posting in this thread and its subsequent revivals. I'm sure glad it came back to life because it gives me a chance to add my congratulations to all the parties who had a hand in making this spectacular set of ivory stocks.

Learned something about Ropers, too. I was unaware of the asymmetric palm swell, though of course it makes perfect sense.

Thumbs up for everybody who put some magic into making them what they are now.

cubguy · #44 11-08-2009, 01:31 PM

Beautiful craftsmanship!

buckeyeshooter1 · #45 11-09-2009, 08:07 PM

great looking work!

Pontiaker · #46 11-10-2009, 03:31 PM

Man they came out super nice! They really came out great.

I was trying to win an auction for a 27-something, a modern gun, in one of the online auctions recently. The gun was in a display box, blue gun with full target factory Ivory grips! The gun looked like is was made by S&W to be sent to someone to engrave and it just never happened. Both the fancy box and grips were factory S&W parts. I planned on bidding knowing what factory N Frame Target real Ivory grips would be worth, I put down the wrong date on my calender and when I went to bid it had already sold. Get this, it sold for $1100! A short barrel 27 with everything mentioned above for $1100. Iam guessing the grips alone would have been worth close to the ending auction price....I saw a pair sell on Ebay in the last year for over $800.

I have a large chuck of pre ban aged tusk that Iam planning on making at least one set of Pre war Magna's from.I will probably checker them and install 30's vintage large silver medallions in them. I dont know when Iam going to start them in between the knives I have to make, but seeing the Ivory stuff I have lately is making want to start hacking on that tusk!
Matt

james56 · #47 12-13-2009, 08:02 PM

There the most beautiful grips I've seen. "STUNING"

fyimo · #48 12-13-2009, 08:22 PM

It's hard to discribe just how beautiful these are and like the rest I guess Stunning sums it up.

Bullseye Smith · #49 12-13-2009, 08:52 PM

They turned out very nice indeed. Just a work of art.

boykinlp · #50 11-27-2012, 05:23 PM

It has been a few years since this thread has seen the light of day, so I thought I would bring it to the light again.

These are some of the finest most beautiful grips I have ever seen. AWESOME!!