help with grip i.d.

[duvrock]

Picked these up recently. Fit a pre war n frame very well, an n frame that more recent (1980's) target stocks won't. Wrap around the front strap area checkering, prominent palm swell for a right hander on the right panel. The internal washer appears epoxied in place. Any thoughts on the era or maker? Many thanks to all.

 

[Muley Gil]

Don't know who made them, but I like 'em.

 

[murphydog]

They 'may' be Sandersons, but one of the stock experts will be along who might know for certain.

 

[s&wchad]

No idea who made that, but they’re not Sanderson and they’re not factory. You can rule those two out.

They are nice!

 

[BAM-BAM]

SWEeeeeeeet...... cut down Cokes???????????????????

 

[quinn]

iffen you don't like them...they can foller me home!!

 

[younggun22]

Can’t help you with the maker but they are pretty nice!!

 

[skilled]

They are sweet for sure!

 

[Texas Star]

I'd have said Sile, but not if they fit a prewar frame.

 

[gdogs]

These are very nice grips. Not sure who made them, but they are far better than anything Sile ever put out. I do not think these are mass produced grips. The checkering pattern looks more Herrett's to me (that hook at the top), but I've never seen a set of their grips that were this elegant. The palm swell and overall quality does have a Sanderson feel, but the checkering is finer, he isn't known for center diamonds, and the borders are cleaner than his typical work.

 

[rocknroad]

I don't know who made them but...then again, I don't know who made mine...and they have certain characteristics that yours have. Obviously, mine are non-relieved presentations but, the trigger guard notch and craftsmanship looks similar.

I have discovered one other member here, that had almost identical stocks to mine, except for the custom cut-out one the right stock, for the engraved name on the side plate.

Mine fit a pre-war N-Frame.

 

[SG-688]

Old magazines and books some help for identifying mystery holsters and grips, but often add to the mysteries.

Askins recommends grips by Kenneth Strine in his prewar book and has a picture of Strine - but not an identified picture of his grips. A couple of grips pictured have two screws instead of the usual one - but are those by Strine. I mention that specifically because several pictures of grips with double screws have been posted here over the years. They might be Strine, but maybe not.

In this case, the smooth grips in the Roper/Skelton style look rather like the grips in this 1959 ad for "Combat Grips" Custom Craft, Pasadena, California. A maybe.
(Not to be confused with the "Custom Wood" brand Farrant copies in the 1970's.)

The metal disk shows up in what I think of as inexpensive grips (often Italian) from the 60's, but it seems a very sensible method of making that arch.

I'll borrow pictures of Linde's mystery checkered Fitz marked grips that have the asymmetrical palm swell and the metal disk.


Notice to grip makers: mark your grips!!

 

[Waveski]

I don't think they are Sile ... but I can't back that up by stating what they are. I do know that they are quality grips and that I'd brag if I had them.

 

[JSR III]

My first thought was Sanderson but only a WAG. The last photo appears to show a mismatch in the way that the checking is cut from right grip to left. May just be the photo or my monitor but makes it look like they do not match well.

 

[iskra]

Seeming a bit bitter-sweet, the dreaded pronouncement of "not original" as the admission, "nicer than". Indeed, I believe just the case. Something with care and workmanship a step beyond production line. While I still prefer 'original', my few Smiths that have 'strayed'; happily to be adorned! Like beautiful non-factory engraving... "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet..."*
Just my 'flowery' take!
Congrats on a very nice, tasteful pair of grips apparently in great condition!
John

*Shakespeare, "Romeo & Juliet".

 

[duvrock]

Many thanks to all who looked. I have more information than I started with , plus a set of apparently nice but mysterious stocks.

 

[bigmtnman]

The checkering on the front reminds me of early Herretts.