dacoontz
Member
These are on my 4" pre 29.
I do not know who made them but it appears from how much they've yellowed they are quite old, and the fit perfectly.
These are the BEST I have seen for my tastes.
Ivory Grips
- Thread starter PetersCustomLeather
- Start date
These are the BEST I have seen for my tastes.
Got these service style ivories from Nutmeg.
Now looking for a Python to put them on.
Now looking for a Python to put them on.
A few Rugers & Smiths
Oh those poor toothless elephants. (Snicker)
Roy Fishpaw ivories
With credit to 230grfmj, here once again is the pre war 38/44 OD converted to .44 3rd Model Target by Hamilton Bowen. The barrel is from a 5" pre war .44 HE 3rd model that Bowen fit to this frame. It did not have to be rebored or re-rollmarked to 44 Special. The front sight originally was the normal forged half moon shaped sight used on fixed sighted guns. Bowen milled off the half moon, made a Patridge blade and installed a gold bead to resemble a "Call" gold bead sight, and then pinned it to the forged base while not disturbing the original shape of the base. The grips were made by Roy Fishpaw and were hand fitted to this frame and numbered to it as well. The emblems are pre war (.500") in mint condition, never re-nickeled or any other type of refinishing. The entire project required a little over a year to complete.
This is a magnificent example of custom gunsmithing and stockmaking, an elegant tribute to the venerable Smith & Wesson N-frame.
With credit to 230grfmj, here once again is the pre war 38/44 OD converted to .44 3rd Model Target by Hamilton Bowen. The barrel is from a 5" pre war .44 HE 3rd model that Bowen fit to this frame. It did not have to be rebored or re-rollmarked to 44 Special. The front sight originally was the normal forged half moon shaped sight used on fixed sighted guns. Bowen milled off the half moon, made a Patridge blade and installed a gold bead to resemble a "Call" gold bead sight, and then pinned it to the forged base while not disturbing the original shape of the base. The grips were made by Roy Fishpaw and were hand fitted to this frame and numbered to it as well. The emblems are pre war (.500") in mint condition, never re-nickeled or any other type of refinishing. The entire project required a little over a year to complete.
This is a magnificent example of custom gunsmithing and stockmaking, an elegant tribute to the venerable Smith & Wesson N-frame.
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Bell Charter Oak Holsters
Member
- Joined
- May 16, 2005
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- 1,880
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I've had this set of Elephant ivory on one of my 1905 4th. M&P Target models forever.
My 1 and only set of Ivories... and on an "off" brand at that!
It is a Sept. '56 (1st month of 2nd Gen. production) SAA that was "born" as a 5.5" .38 Spl. and (I) bought for $300 in '95. It then had a trip through the C*** Custom Shop where it turned into a 4.75" .45 Colt (and with a second cylinder: a .45 ACP) wearing the 1-piece elephants. I paid $444 just for the tusks, but now they would set me back $815 from the same C.C.S.
It is a Sept. '56 (1st month of 2nd Gen. production) SAA that was "born" as a 5.5" .38 Spl. and (I) bought for $300 in '95. It then had a trip through the C*** Custom Shop where it turned into a 4.75" .45 Colt (and with a second cylinder: a .45 ACP) wearing the 1-piece elephants. I paid $444 just for the tusks, but now they would set me back $815 from the same C.C.S.
Mitch_D
Member
Ivories
230grfmj:
Those are the most spectacular ivory handles I have ever seen.
I don't care who they were, whoever made them was a true artist. I'm guessing Mastadon Ivory.
I wish you would tell us some more about them.
230grfmj:
Those are the most spectacular ivory handles I have ever seen.
I don't care who they were, whoever made them was a true artist. I'm guessing Mastadon Ivory.
I wish you would tell us some more about them.
OP
PetersCustomLeather
Member
My educated guess is that Jim at Nutmeg did them. He was the custom shop manager for years and still does the ivory for the custom shop.
This is a great thread, thanks to all for posting the pictures. Gila bender, that is a beautiful revolver and the Fishpaw ivory's are the perfect finishing touch. 230grfmj, that's about as good as grips could ever look, the mellow color and checking on the butt are fantastic. Did I mention this was a good thread! Thanks
rburg
Member
I used to count Jim Alaimo as a friend. I still kind of do, but I haven't seen him in a few years now. He stopped coming to gun shows. One of his most outstanding character "flaws" was he was unselfish. He helped me along greatly in my confidence and gave good instructions. He was also just a nice guy. He helped me along in my grip fitting experiences.
millbilly
Member
This may be a dumb question but how can you tell if the grips are real
ivory ? I have a very old S&W copy that has what looks like ivory grips. Is there any way to tell for sure ?
ivory ? I have a very old S&W copy that has what looks like ivory grips. Is there any way to tell for sure ?
millbilly
Member
GOT it figured out !!! I'll use the hot pin trick !!!
rhmc24
Absent Comrade
Here are grips I had made in Africa in the 1950s when I was working in Belgian Congo. My Dad sent me S&W/Colt grips that I had local ivory carvers copy. I had them made 1mm larger to allow for some fitting. Cost was about $6 pair. I had about 15 pairs. The after-work on them is mine, SAA, K-22 both sides, S&W .44 DA Topbreak, Triple Lock & another .44 DA.
Here are grips I had made in Africa in the 1950s when I was working in Belgian Congo. My Dad sent me S&W/Colt grips that I had local ivory carvers copy. I had them made 1mm larger to allow for some fitting. Cost was about $6 pair. I had about 15 pairs. The after-work on them is mine, SAA, K-22 both sides, S&W .44 DA Topbreak, Triple Lock & another .44 DA.
Nice grips at ridiculous prices. Looks like some nice "scratched up" guns that they are hooked to.
Most impressive weapons and beautiful grips. I have always been intrigued with ivory grips. Thanks guys for showing them.
A forum member asked about shoeing his Bowen 45HD - Transition. Therein lies the challenge
I too have a Bowen 45HD, built on a transition 38/44HD 5" (S65402) acquired in February 2009. I asked Bowen if he would send it to Roy Fishpaw but was told that Roy was not accepting work for new clients and had a tremendous backlog. He offered a set of Keith Brown grips that he had in stock, which I accepted and later returned because they were not fitted to the gun. They were awesome grips, to be sure, but Transition guns are notorious for being difficult to fit if they are not in the hands of the stock maker.
I went through about six sets of diamond magnas before finding a set that fit reasonably well. Then, last December, Dan M hooked me up with a set of aftermarket ivories shown in this post. They do not have the maker's mark, and they aren't Fishpaw's, but they are good enough to properly dress a Bowen 45HD. Got a nice old Lawrence flap holster for it, too.
I too have a Bowen 45HD, built on a transition 38/44HD 5" (S65402) acquired in February 2009. I asked Bowen if he would send it to Roy Fishpaw but was told that Roy was not accepting work for new clients and had a tremendous backlog. He offered a set of Keith Brown grips that he had in stock, which I accepted and later returned because they were not fitted to the gun. They were awesome grips, to be sure, but Transition guns are notorious for being difficult to fit if they are not in the hands of the stock maker.
I went through about six sets of diamond magnas before finding a set that fit reasonably well. Then, last December, Dan M hooked me up with a set of aftermarket ivories shown in this post. They do not have the maker's mark, and they aren't Fishpaw's, but they are good enough to properly dress a Bowen 45HD. Got a nice old Lawrence flap holster for it, too.
Attachments
Just bought these J Frame round butt grips.
Hope to get them mounted one day.
Hope to get them mounted one day.
kframeman
Member
Gatorbaiter
Absent Comrade
OK, here we go:
K38 Masterpiece:
K22 Masterpiece:
S&W 22:
S&W 32Mag:
S&W 38Spl:
S&W 38 Spl:
Colt & Randall:
Colt Detective Special:
Colt Detective Special:
Colt Cobra:
Colt Service Model 22:
Colt SAA 45:
Colt SAA 32WCF:
Colt SAA 44WCF:
Colt Bisley 32WCF:
Colt SAA 45:
Colt SAA 38WCF:
Colt NF 44Spl:
Colt 25:
K38 Masterpiece:
K22 Masterpiece:
S&W 22:
S&W 32Mag:
S&W 38Spl:
S&W 38 Spl:
Colt & Randall:
Colt Detective Special:
Colt Detective Special:
Colt Cobra:
Colt Service Model 22:
Colt SAA 45:
Colt SAA 32WCF:
Colt SAA 44WCF:
Colt Bisley 32WCF:
Colt SAA 45:
Colt SAA 38WCF:
Colt NF 44Spl:
Colt 25:
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From the lower left:
Cased Colt M 1849 with carved Mexican Eagle and Snake grips.
Rare Colt M 1849 3" bbl. with rammer.
Tex. Gun Collectors Assoc. Commemorative SAA with gold inlays and carved steer head grips.
Very early .38 Super M1911 that shipped with ivory from Colt to my Wife's grandfather who was a TX Sheriff.
Early Triple Lock with contemporary ivories.
1st Gen. SAA .45 Colt that was my paternal grandfather's when he settled in Texas in late 19th Cent.
Bob
Gatorbaiter
Absent Comrade
Bob,
Those are some super great guns, those two "grandfather's" guns are very special!
Those are some super great guns, those two "grandfather's" guns are very special!
From the lower left:
Cased Colt M 1849 with carved Mexican Eagle and Snake grips.
Rare Colt M 1849 3" bbl. with rammer.
Tex. Gun Collectors Assoc. Commemorative SAA with gold inlays and carved steer head grips.
Very early .38 Super M1911 that shipped with ivory from Colt to my Wife's grandfather who was a TX Sheriff.
Early Triple Lock with contemporary ivories.
1st Gen. SAA .45 Colt that was my paternal grandfather's when he settled in Texas in late 19th Cent.
Bob
Bob:
Which ones do you shoot?
I've shot the M1911 .38 Super, the .45 SAA and the Triple Lock. I've shot other M1849 Colts but not those two and I never shot the Commemorative. I sold the M1849's and the Commemorative in a recent James Julia auction.
When I was a boy growing up on our ranch I used to alternate carrying that ivory gripped .45 and another .38-40 SAA that belonged to my other grandfather. Shot lots of armadillos, fox, coyote and rocks with both.
Bob
When I was a boy growing up on our ranch I used to alternate carrying that ivory gripped .45 and another .38-40 SAA that belonged to my other grandfather. Shot lots of armadillos, fox, coyote and rocks with both.
Bob
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Must be great to shoot your grandfather's guns!
These on a scratched up Colt...why they put gold medallions instead of silver is strange.
I only have one set on a pre 27
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Modified
Member
Some magnas I had laying about found their way onto my 1958 K22 and I'm rather pleased with the results, even though they are nowhere near as attractive as some of the Ivory stocks in this thread.
Ok, this may be the place to verify what I think I know. I recently saw a set of "bonded ivory" grips.
I assume "bonded" ivory is ivory dust/chips, etc, bound together with some type of epoxy, then either molded or carved to shape?
Beautiful guns BTW. All of them. Thanks to all who posted them.
I assume "bonded" ivory is ivory dust/chips, etc, bound together with some type of epoxy, then either molded or carved to shape?
Beautiful guns BTW. All of them. Thanks to all who posted them.
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