Colt Woodsman with Walter Roper Grips (Photo Heavy)

[fotoman12001]

I thought I would post this here since some Google searching last night revealed that some folks here are interested in Roper grips.

I went to the shop/range yesterday to pick up a SIG P226 I had on layaway and a P225 I bought in the classifieds on SIGForum. I also met a guy to buy some Benchmades that were priced too low to pass up.

As I entered the range to shoot the P225 I spotted a really nice Colt Woodsman for $500. I've been wanting one for a while but never found one that lit my fire for a price I would pay. I wanted one with a 4.5" barrel and adjustable rear sight which this one has. It also has beautiful wood grips that sealed the deal for me. I went to shoot the P225 and "think" about the Woodsman but I knew I wasn't leaving without it.

After doing some research on the grips last night, I contacted the knowledgable gentleman at this website and he stated that he's pretty sure they are Walter Roper grips:
ttp://www.sackpeterson.com/models/roper.html

I knew nothing about Roper or Sanderson grips until researching what these grips might be last night. I am glad to know they are likely Roper grips now that I know a little about them. From what I found last night they seem to be desirable. It certainly made me more comfortable with what I paid for the pistol.

This is all the stuff I've stupidly acquired already this year:

This one was too nice to pass up for $500 but it was unexpected and hurt my wallet.

I already had the Medalist and OMM.

This one might end up on Gunbroker. It's the one I could part with without losing too much sleep.

This one is great. I will use this as a CCW.

I've wanted a 32 Morpho for a long time and finally found a good deal on one LNIB. Then as soon as I bought it someone posted a 51 Morpho and 710 for sale locally for $200. I always regretted selling my 710 and couldn't turn down the 51 at that price.

I also shot my stainless CZ 75. The trigger is breaking in nicely on this pistol. I like it a lot.

 

[410bore]

I'm not for certain those are real Ropers.

 

[Rick Bowles]

The second model Woodsman sure looks like a home run to me. The second model has always been my favorite. If for no other reason the magazine release is where it should be on the 2nd.! At $500.00 I think you paid a fair price for the stocks and they threw the Woodsman in for free.

 

[30-30remchester]

I am a first model man myself. Mine was bought well used and after 3 decades of woods wandering it has acquired many more bumps and dings. The second models magazine release is preferable to the heal type on types 1 and 3. I often sit down with my old woodsman and think back of where it and I have been and what we have done. Good times.

 

[fotoman12001]

I'm not for certain those are real Ropers.

I don't know myself. I was just going on the opinion of Mr. Peterson and he seemed pretty sure. If you have any insight I would appreciate it. If they are not Ropers do you have an idea of what they might be?

 

[red9]

Very nice. As you indicated, a lot of Roper fans here. This is the link to my post, also identified as Ropers on a Colt:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/407018-colt-king-roper.html

Bob

 

[LS1]

I agree with 410bore, the grips do not appear to be Ropers, just like red9's grips don't seem to be authentic either. There is so much misinformation out there about Roper grips it may be time for a group of Roper collectors to try to write a definitive thread.

 

[Lee Jones]

Colt/Roper Question

Were this Roper grips a factory option are did the owners purchase them
aftermarket?

Lee Jones(Celtgun)

 

[David LaPell]

I love the 2nd Series Woodsman, this was my grandfather's made in 1950 that he bought new and I was given in 1995. It's had a few years of use but I have never owned a more accurate .22 handgun that wasn't wearing a scope.

 

[30-30remchester]

I love the 2nd Series Woodsman, this was my grandfather's made in 1950 that he bought new and I was given in 1995. It's had a few years of use but I have never owned a more accurate .22 handgun that wasn't wearing a scope.

WOW what a beauty. Your grandpa must have had some grand adventures with this gun to have so much bluing gone. And to thing there are some people out there that would reblue this fine looking gun simply to make it shine.

 

[Rick Bowles]

They may not be Ropers. I don't know and frankly I wouldn't care. They are clearly hand made, gorgeous and for $500.00with the Woodsman it's the best deal I seen in quite some time.

On another note, your imaging is outstanding. We will be having another image contest shortly and I'll be expecting your entry!

 

[fotoman12001]

They may not be Ropers. I don't know and frankly I wouldn't care. They are clearly hand made, gorgeous and for $500.00with the Woodsman it's the best deal I seen in quite some time.

On another note, your imaging is outstanding. We will be having another image contest shortly and I'll be expecting your entry!

I agree, I love the pistol. I'm not overly concerned with the Roper thing. I had never even heard of Roper grips before researching these and didn't buy it with any expectations beyond a fair price for what I saw.

I have no intentions of selling the pistol or grips. This will remain a treasure in my collection and I'm looking forward to shooting it.

 

[fotoman12001]

WOW what a beauty. Your grandpa must have had some grand adventures with this gun to have so much bluing gone. And to thing there are some people out there that would reblue this fine looking gun simply to make it shine.

I agree, that pistol looks really cool.
Nice photo too.

 

[Texas Star]

I can see those grips if the gun is mainly for range use. I'd prefer the original Colt grips or similar on a field pistol. I think I'd have a hard time holstering those big grips, but they are gorgeous for range use.

I've owned a couple of Woodsman Match targets, both with six-inch barrels. A Second Model and a Third or whatever the final version was. The butt magazine release didn't bother me on the later gun and it was very positive in use.

I like the quality of Colt .22's and they are undeniably classics. But I couldn't shoot them as well as the Ruger with 5.5-inch bull barrel.

I like that stainless CZ-75B, although that huge mag release seems like something you'd want mainly on a match gun. Do they still make the stainless one with a regular grip tang? I don't like that ducktail shaped one.

Can't say that I share your enthusiasm for those Balisong style knives, but the Benchmade Model 710 is one of my favorites . I wear mine off my premises more often than any other lockblade folder. My son used his Benchmade with a tanto blade to save himself from an attack by a big coydog.

You have some nice gear there. And I admire your photo skills!

David LaPell's .22 is a classic that I hope still puts some rabbits on the table?

 

[David LaPell]

That old Colt has had many adventures of its own I can tell you. My grandfather when he used to shoot informal matches whipped more than a few competitors with it when they were using .22 revolvers, but he loved to take it with him hunting. He told me that the .22 had taken more game than any other gun he ever owned. I have killed three beavers with it, a few squirrels, grouse, etc.

 

[fotoman12001]

My wife was not enthusiastic about the balisongs either. I think she said I looked like a douche while messing with it. I'm not really a balisong lover but I really like the look of these with the black G-10 and jeweled blue titanium. The 32 is pristine and I was just going to use it for photos. The 51 and 710 were used not abused so I'll actually use the 51. $100 for one in good shape is a pretty fair price.

I've only used the CZ on the range. The mag release does stick out quite a bit but the spring is stiff and takes a pretty deliberate force to actuate it. I shoot the pistol much better since putting HIVIZ sights on it.

I also have a CZ P-01 with a Pro Package by Cajun Gun Works. The trigger on that pistol is amazing. I consider it to be the best all-around centerfire semiauto pistol I own. I'm a big SIG fan and own several including a P229 with an Action Enhancement Package and Short Reset Trigger by SIG. The P-01 blows it away in my hands despite the SIG's softer recoil and bigger size. CZ ergonomics are very good and I think they offer a lot of gun for the money.

 

[30-30remchester]

That old Colt has had many adventures of its own I can tell you. My grandfather when he used to shoot informal matches whipped more than a few competitors with it when they were using .22 revolvers, but he loved to take it with him hunting. He told me that the .22 had taken more game than any other gun he ever owned. I have killed three beavers with it, a few squirrels, grouse, etc.

My old pre war Woodsman has little finish left and the walnut grips are worn smooth, and like yours it has done some fine work in the woods. Mine rides in an old Heiser lined flap holster from the same era. I would recount some of its accomplishment but I fear I would be called a liar. Mine was the only gun I could carry while escorting deer and elk hunters. It was used MANY times to administer the coup-de-gras on deer and elk. The biggest trout I caught on a particular high country adventure was "caught" with my Woodsman. When my kids were young they liked naming my guns, trucks, ect. Since this pistol was with me most of the time when hunting they gave it the name "Cridder Getter". My eyes are fading fast and I can not longer make accurate shots at 100 yards and 25 yards is getting iffy, This gun will go to one of my grandsons soon and I have threatened to haunt him from my grave if he ever thinks of refinishing the old gun. At one time in my youth I would have had no reservation of having this as my only gun in which to feed my family and protection.