Sandersons

[Onomea]

Anybody up on Sandersons? Any pix?

How valuable are Sandersons? I assume less than Ropers, surely, But are they, say,
50% market value of Ropers? I understand the Sanderson guy was Lew Sanderson, but anybody have the background on him?

I note that on p. 161 of Walter Roper's Pistol and Revolver Shooting, published in 1945, that "Lew Sanderson of Detroit" is mentioned (along with Walter Murad of San Francisco, Griffin and Howe of New York, "and a dozen others) as an example of a fine stockmaker, so I assume Sanderson got going either during the war or pre-war. Anyone know what years he or his brand was active?

 

[Onomea]

Anybody up on Sandersons? Any pix?

How valuable are Sandersons? I assume less than Ropers, surely, But are they, say,
50% market value of Ropers? I understand the Sanderson guy was Lew Sanderson, but anybody have the background on him?

I note that on p. 161 of Walter Roper's Pistol and Revolver Shooting, published in 1945, that "Lew Sanderson of Detroit" is mentioned (along with Walter Murad of San Francisco, Griffin and Howe of New York, "and a dozen others) as an example of a fine stockmaker, so I assume Sanderson got going either during the war or pre-war. Anyone know what years he or his brand was active?

 

[Andy Griffith]

I'd like to know too.

I have a set of stocks that I suspect may be Sandersons.

 

[skeezix]

I don't know anything about these grips except that a set recently sold here for $347.00.

 

[mikepriwer]

Arlo

Here is a copy of one page of the Sanderson flyer :

and here is the other page of the flyer :

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[merlindrb]

Arlo - I've been paying $300 to $400 depending on condition. That's for N frame sets, significantly less for K (as usual).

Interesting flyer Mike - is there a date anywhere on it?

 

[Andy Griffith]

I think...

I may now own a set, as by looking at the documents that Mike has been so kind to post.
*Thanks Mike*

It seems that these are some very high quality grips...or at least the pair (or two) that I own. The only thing so far I've been able to compare them to until recently though has been Herretts.

Considering I found them in junk boxes...

I bought them because of their "curb appeal" to me.

 

[Onomea]

Thanks, guys. (And I appreciate the pamphlet pages, Mike.)

I just bought a 1950 Colt OMS 38 spl with these:

I think they're Sandersons. What say you?

(I like that big 50's tail fin of a front sight on the OMS -- very Buck Rogers retro -- and the fact that they were made for only a few years, 1949 to 1952. Some 6K in total production.)

Dave, if they are Sandersons, you figure worth less 'cause more of 'em were made for Colts than for S&W N-frames?

Also, I am intrigued by your comment "significantly less for Ks, as usual." I thought Roper Ks, or prewar magna Ks, were scarcer than Ns. Does the market price not reflect that?

Above edited to correct end year of production (from '53 to '52.)

 

[merlindrb]

Yeah, look like Sandersons to me. He always used such nice wood compared with Roper/Gange.

The Sandersons are far easier to find for K frames than N. It's the exact opposite of Ropers. I once bought a set of early post-war K frame masterpieces - K-22, K-32 & K-38. All of them had Sandersons on and the dealer charged me about $100 per pair.

I don't think the Colt ones are worth as much because of the availability, as you said. I've had/sold several pairs and none ever had that high a value. Of course, genuinely perfect condition can change prices a lot.

 

[Onomea]

Thanks, Dave. I am intrigued by your comment "The Sandersons are far easier to find for K frames than N. It's the exact opposite of Ropers." I wonder why that is, that Ropers and Sandersons K & N availability reverses like that...

 

[Pontiaker]

Originally posted by skeezix:
I don't know anything about these grips except that a set recently sold here for $347.00.

Iam the winner on these and I cant wait to get them! The seller has a web page with some cool grip info, Roper info. Thats how I found him and these for sale on Ebay.
Matt

 

[merlindrb]

Matt - real nice grips. You did well at that price for grips in that condition. Congrats!

Arlo - I wonder if it's the dates that made the difference? Both outfits (Sanderson and Roper) operated pre and post war, but I've always got the impression from ads in old copies of The Rifleman that Roper stocks were more successful pre-war and Sanderson seems to be more active post-war. Perhaps Sanderson picked up more business after Roper stopped producing?

Anyone know when Gange died? I believe his son went to work at S&W as chief stock maker after his fathers death.

A few pics of Sandersons below.

 

[mikepriwer]

All those are Sandersons - no doubt about it. They are a very distinctive grip.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[m-1911]

This is a set of N Frame Target Sanderson's the backstrap is covered on this pair

This is another pair of N frame Target Model Sanderon's, both the front and backstraps are exposed on these. These came out of a "junk box" on a table in Tulsa 3 years ago. I had to give $25 for them.

 

[Pontiaker]

Wow very cool pics of cool grips! I really like the grips with the factory medallions in them! Now I really cant wait until mine get here!

 

[Onomea]

Very nice, guys. Very nice.

Gary the wood on that first set above is really nice. Did you clean those grips and discover the grain?

Here's the OMS, by the by:

 

[haggis]

Arlo,

That's a nice gun. I'm intrigued by the rear sight. Is it factory?

Buck

 

[m-1911]

Originally posted by Onomea:
Very nice, guys. Very nice.

Gary the wood on that first set above is really nice. Did you clean those grips and discover the grain?

Here's the OMS, by the by:

x

Onomea

No, I did not do anything to the grips. That is the way I got them

 

[handejector]

Arlo,
I agree your grips are Sandersons.

Dave said:
"The Sandersons are far easier to find for K frames than N. It's the exact opposite of Ropers. I once bought a set of early post-war K frame masterpieces - K-22, K-32 & K-38. All of them had Sandersons on and the dealer charged me about $100 per pair."
Well, there is the answer, really. Sanderson was most, or totally, active post-war. What guns ruled the line post-war? The Colt OM and the K Masterpieces. Almost ALL Sandersons have thumb rests, so it is obvious they were made for the Target shooters of the day. That is a shame for me- I love and admire Sandersons work about as much as Roper's, but I can't abide thumb rests!

 

[m-1911]

Originally posted by handejector:
Arlo,
I agree your grips are Sandersons.

Dave said:
"The Sandersons are far easier to find for K frames than N. It's the exact opposite of Ropers. I once bought a set of early post-war K frame masterpieces - K-22, K-32 & K-38. All of them had Sandersons on and the dealer charged me about $100 per pair."
Well, there is the answer, really. Sanderson was most, or totally, active post-war. What guns ruled the line post-war? The Colt OM and the K Masterpieces. Almost ALL Sandersons have thumb rests, so it is obvious they were made for the Target shooters of the day. That is a shame for me- I love and admire Sandersons work about as much as Roper's, but I can't abide thumb rests!

Lee

Here is a nice set of grips on a pre war 22 Outdoorsman. I do not know who made them