Roper stocks

[mrcvs]

I collect mostly antique stuff, with the exception of Triple Locks and the occasional Registered Magnum.

I tend to prefer originality, so Ropers are generally after market.

Having said that, I certainly admire the workmanship of "Ropers" and "Roper like" stocks.

My understanding is that Ropers are, unfortunately, not marked as Ropers in any manner or form.

How does one determine true Ropers vs Roper like stocks and how is a valuation assigned?

Any good references relative to Ropers and Roper like stocks?

 

[rct269]

Sack Peterson put together a good essay on Roper grips several years back. See what Google can come up with for you, and if not, let me know; and I'll send a copy to you.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[weatherby]

jesting here.... but curse you I was sorely disappointed not seeing a set.
Just saving you from the next guy as bad as me.



Many have the jig marks....not all.

 

[lestert357]

See this thread; especially Keith Brown’s post# 5:

Kearsage vs. Roper

 

[CH4]

Altamont is doing a Roper copy. Not Keith Brown’s, but definitely a nice, practical alternative. I have some in Rosewood, olive wood, and santos rosewood.

 

[Green Frog]

I have a pair of walnut Altamont “Ropers” on my K-32 recreation. They have been in use for almost a year now, so I feel qualified to evaluate them. The checkering looks very close to the original, but that’s where the similarity ends... if you look at them from the rear they look way too thin and narrow to have been made by Gagne for Roper. They are OK for mass produced grips but they aren’t Ropers.

I wrote to Altamont to ask whether they would be willing to take a pair of their Coke-style grip blanks and use the Roper-style checkering on them. They told me in no uncertain terms that they didn’t accept special orders! More’s the pity though, because that would make a far superior product than either of the current uses to which they are putting those two components.

JMHO, of course... YMMV.
Froggie

 

[Green Frog]

To add a bit to my previous post (I lost some when my iPad had a hiccup ) if you look at original Roper grips or the faithful repros like those from Keith, you will note that they display some profiling when viewed from the rear that is somewhat foreshadowing of the much loved “Coke-style” stocks the factory developed in the Fifties. I feel like the current Altamont “Coke Bottle” offering, if paired with their relatively well done interpretation of the Roper checkering pattern would make a product which, while still not up to the original or current handmade offerings, would provide a set of stocks that would catch a lot of the Roper spirit in an affordable factory offering. Am I the only one who sees this possibility?

Froggie

 

[bruce5781]

I have just one pair now.

Regards,
Bruce

 

[mrcvs]

Sack Peterson put together a good essay on Roper grips several years back. See what Google can come up with for you, and if not, let me know; and I'll send a copy to you.

Ralph Tremaine

Thank you, Ralph. Here is that to which you refer, very informative: newindex

 

[PALADIN85020]

I'm pretty sure that these are original Ropers on an RM once owned by Clark Gable. Gable was a "gun guy" and further modified this gun with work on the hammer and trigger.

John

 

[lestert357]

Thank you, Ralph. Here is that to which you refer, very informative: newindex

One thing not mentioned in Sak Peterson’s article, but which I know Keith Brown has mentioned somewhere in a Forum Roper thread, is that Ropers always (I believe Keith said “always”) slightly wrap around the rear of the trigger guard. I know that has been the case with the 4 or 5 sets of original Ropers that I have owned.

 

[Doc44]

A set of reproduction Roper stocks by Keith Brown on my (only) Registered Magnum. Click on the photo for a much better look.

Bill

 

[opoefc]

For as long as I can remember, the quick check to determine if a set of grips were made by Roper ( or Gagne) was to see if the back side had the little square holes created for the blanks to be held by the jig while the checkering & finishing was being done. All the genuine Ropers I have owned exhibited those little square holes on their back side. Ed.

 

[mrcvs]

How do you value a set of original Ropers? Few sales out there to compare to.

Some seem rather flush and others more 3 dimensional.

I bought a more 3 dimensional pair today off of the forum and went with gut instinct in that $500 or $600 was a real deal and $750 was probably too much.

 

[mrcvs]

Also, these were produced 1934 to 1952. What was production numbers like?

 

[Modified]

One thing worth mentioning is that there are Ropers, and then there are Gagne made Ropers. Typically when anyone talks about Ropers it's the latter they are thinking about. If Keith has a chance he can much more authoritatively fill you in on Ropers then I can, but I do think I can add some value regarding valuation, as I've been watching prices for years. My observations are as follows:

- Condition: as one would expect for any fine rare collectible, the curve is steep when original Gagne made Ropers approach perfect. I wouldn't be surprised to see the *right* set break 2 thousand in the near future.

- Wear: Due to the rarity, less a factor in reducing price then I would have thought. For some a little wear is desirable to match a gun they intend to place it on. Honest wear may reduce a very lightly worn set 20%.

- Abuse: Many ropers have deliberate modifications, often brutal and ineffective, requiring repairs. This can tank the value, but still only to maybe 1/3rd of the price if it had been unmolested. The wood wizards around can bring many such sets back to life.

- The ribbon being present of course adds to the attractiveness, and certainly the price, a non-ribbon set may sell for half of a ribbon set that is otherwise the same.

- S&W Ropers are less common, and more fought over, and always seem to sell for more then their colt counterparts. Not quite double, but certainly knocking on the door.

- Despite the increased rarity, K frame seem to sell for the same or less then N frame.

- Thumb rests (unless coupled with finger grooves), are about third to a half less valuable then non-thumbrests

- Odd features, and ropers for odd guns, can reduce the value as it seems much of the market is populated with people looking to buy a set for their gun, often for some classy shooting, and not to collect the stocks themselves.

- As legend has it, some of the premium Ropers that are rumored to exist are perched atop dragon like stock hoards, as prized crown jewels (ivory for example). Such stocks don't hit the open market and if you have the opportunity to buy them the price will just be the price, and worth it.

 

[paplinker]

One thing worth mentioning is that there are Ropers, and then there are Gagne made Ropers. Typically when anyone talks about Ropers it's the latter they are thinking about. If Keith has a chance he can much more authoritatively fill you in on Ropers then I can, but I do think I can add some value regarding valuation, as I've been watching prices for years. My observations are as follows:

- Condition: as one would expect for any fine rare collectible, the curve is steep when original Gagne made Ropers approach perfect. I wouldn't be surprised to see the *right* set break 2 thousand in the near future.

- Wear: Due to the rarity, less a factor in reducing price then I would have thought. For some a little wear is desirable to match a gun they intend to place it on. Honest wear may reduce a very lightly worn set 20%.

- Abuse: Many ropers have deliberate modifications, often brutal and ineffective, requiring repairs. This can tank the value, but still only to maybe 1/3rd of the price if it had been unmolested. The wood wizards around can bring many such sets back to life.

- The ribbon being present of course adds to the attractiveness, and certainly the price, a non-ribbon set may sell for half of a ribbon set that is otherwise the same.

- S&W Ropers are less common, and more fought over, and always seem to sell for more then their colt counterparts. Not quite double, but certainly knocking on the door.

- Despite the increased rarity, K frame seem to sell for the same or less then N frame.

- Thumb rests (unless coupled with finger grooves), are about third to a half less valuable then non-thumbrests

- Odd features, and ropers for odd guns, can reduce the value as it seems much of the market is populated with people looking to buy a set for their gun, often for some classy shooting, and not to collect the stocks themselves.

- As legend has it, some of the premium Ropers that are rumored to exist are perched atop dragon like stock hoards, as prized crown jewels (ivory for example). Such stocks don't hit the open market and if you have the opportunity to buy them the price will just be the price, and worth it.

I think sixgunstrumpet is spot on with everything I read.

I would add value wise depending on the type of wood used. Roper grips can be all over the board from very plain to harder to find ornate.

Also personally I prefer the larger checked Ropers that are a bit harder to find.

 

[bracebeemer]

I’m going to have to post my only set of Ropers which are attached to a 71/2” Triple Lock. If you take note of the picture from behind the grips you’ll see the shaping of the grip to really fit the right handed shooter. Bill

 

[mrcvs]

- Thumb rests (unless coupled with finger grooves), are about third to a half less valuable then non-thumbrests.

Why would this be the case? This is an increased level of workmanship, and I like their quirkiness.

What is an example of a thumb rest coupled with finger grooves?

 

[paplinker]

Why would this be the case? This is an increased level of workmanship, and I like their quirkiness.

What is an example of a thumb rest coupled with finger grooves?

Thumb rest Ropers while having graceful lines can bring on a few issues. Because the thumbrest was made for a very specific hand with different angles they can have a greater chance of not being comfortable in your hand. You better like the thumb placement angle as you can not adjust.

Second many thumbrests are quite wide, this makes access to the cylinder release a bit more awkward.

Ejecting center fire ammo, your clearance is pretty close and you can easily dent or even chip your rest.

That said if you buy a set that fits your hand perfectly, you will likely keep them forever.