Weird custom grip for N frame revolvers

theinspector · #1 03-10-2015, 12:45 AM

Hey long time no post(been busy with life and what not) but I came across a strange item on eBay that I couldn't pass up. Custom altered grips for an n frame revolver. When I first caught sight of it I fell in love with it's charm instantly and bought them there on the spot. Sadly it looks like some really good grips got a diet. However that's besides the point as these things are COMFY! The grip practically melts in your hand. But anyway here's some pictures.

On a side note can anyone identify the numbers inside the grips and what they mean? I have no idea(and probably should) to what they refer to.

41 · #2 03-10-2015, 01:08 AM

ROYER, WILLIAM S. was born 22 June 1904, received Social Security number 180-07-4736 (indicating Pennsylvania) and, Death Master File says, died 29 January 1997 6,594,149

Lt.cap'nadmiral jeeves · #3 03-10-2015, 03:11 AM

That is really cool. I like that it isn't perfect, but it's clear that whoever did the work had a considerable amount of skill and put some time and care into making those. Very neat find. I wish I knew where I could have that done to a set of altamonts I have on a model 66 I have.

theinspector · #4 03-10-2015, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 41

ROYER, WILLIAM S. was born 22 June 1904, received Social Security number 180-07-4736 (indicating Pennsylvania) and, Death Master File says, died 29 January 1997 6,594,149

Wow thanks! I'm pretty sure that he had a lot of care for these.

theinspector · #5 03-10-2015, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lt.cap'nadmiral jeeves

That is really cool. I like that it isn't perfect, but it's clear that whoever did the work had a considerable amount of skill and put some time and care into making those. Very neat find. I wish I knew where I could have that done to a set of altamonts I have on a model 66 I have.

I know right? The craftsmanship on this is amazing and I wish I could figure out who did it so I could send them some more grips to alter.

KEN L · #6 03-10-2015, 06:26 AM

May very well have been Mr. Royer himself.

spdguns · #7 03-10-2015, 08:28 AM

Cool find!

eveled · #8 03-10-2015, 09:25 AM

checkering grips is not that hard to do yourself. There is a tool that makes multiple rows at a time, you use the existing rows to guide the next row. If you can file a fingernail, you can put checks on a piece of wood.

The hard part is at the ends, you don't want to leave tails at the end of the rows.which is why the factory grips have such a wide border as a stop cut, to clean up the ends. The really hard part is keeping the pattern symmetrical on both sides of the gun. The really really really hard part is when the pattern wraps around the grip, meaning there are no blank spaces. To meet up on the other side of the piece means things have to be laid out perfect and cut perfect so there are no deviations in the pattern. This is were the art and talent lie.

If you look close at the pattern of the grips shown, you can see some mistakes, but if you don't look close they blend in.

Not bashing the grips in any way. I like them, they were made for his hand, and have a certain charm to them.

They were not done by a profesional, so for those who would like to have a set modified like that, I would encourage you to give it a try it is very rewarding.

theinspector · #9 03-10-2015, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eveled

checkering grips is not that hard to do yourself. There is a tool that makes multiple rows at a time, you use the existing rows to guide the next row. If you can file a fingernail, you can put checks on a piece of wood.

The hard part is at the ends, you don't want to leave tails at the end of the rows.which is why the factory grips have such a wide border as a stop cut, to clean up the ends. The really hard part is keeping the pattern symmetrical on both sides of the gun. The really really really hard part is when the pattern wraps around the grip, meaning there are no blank spaces. To meet up on the other side of the piece means things have to be laid out perfect and cut perfect so there are no deviations in the pattern. This is were the art and talent lie.

If you look close at the pattern of the grips shown, you can see some mistakes, but if you don't look close they blend in.

Not bashing the grips in any way. I like them, they were made for his hand, and have a certain charm to them.

They were not done by a profesional, so for those who would like to have a set modified like that, I would encourage you to give it a try it is very rewarding.

Thanks for the tips! I think I like the mistakes and imperfections as they give it a great character, and although the might not look as clean as the factory ones they feel like heaven touched them. The only tricky part I think. Might have on the grips is getting the grooves for the fingers right.

Frank V · #10 03-10-2015, 10:49 AM

They do look comfortable, my only concern would be does that prominent checkering rub on you in heavy recoil?

theinspector · #11 03-10-2015, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank V

They do look comfortable, my only concern would be does that prominent checkering rub on you in heavy recoil?

Not sure. But I'll go to the range and find out. With the groves shaved out to fit into my hand almost perfect(unlike the factory stock grips) I have more control and surface area covering the grip which gives me more control and less gaps(if any at all) while holding it. My best bet right now would be no.

eveled · #12 03-10-2015, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theinspector

Thanks for the tips! I think I like the mistakes and imperfections as they give it a great character, and although the might not look as clean as the factory ones they feel like heaven touched them.

I agree things made by hand always feel better than things made by machine. Ever sleep under a hand made quilt? Or wear a hand knit wool hat? Those grips have that same appeal.

theinspector · #13 03-10-2015, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eveled

I agree things made by hand always feel better than things made by machine. Ever sleep under a hand made quilt? Or wear a hand knit wool hat? Those grips have that same appeal.

You bet, I had to take myself away from it as I enjoyed holding it. The man who owned this before me must have had a hard time letting it go.

L Pete · #14 03-10-2015, 04:11 PM

Looks like someone got a checking tool for Christmas.

Frank V · #15 03-12-2015, 07:43 PM

I've found sharp checkering can be subdued a bit by careful rubbing the tops of the diamonds with a hard round tool. You can round them off as much or as little as you want & sometimes just a touch on the sharp tops will give good results.

theinspector · #16 03-13-2015, 10:24 PM

Here's a range shot.

theinspector · #17 03-16-2015, 07:26 PM

Here is a video of it at the range with the new grips. They felt extremely comfortable.

CA67D5E6-BD68-472D-86AA-5568EDCB89CE_zpse2nqm7ud.mp4 Video by Inspector1stClass | Photobucket