Schofield grip observations

[GSonnen]

For those of you who've seen and handled many original S&W No. 3 frame Schofield revolvers, what sorts of grip materials are you seeing on these old revolvers?

I have an interest in period grip materials. I recently saw a large collection on pre-1900 Colt SAA's. Many had provenance to Texas Rangers of the period. About 20% of them were stocked in mother of pearl. This made me think that MOP grips were a popular item in the late 1800's.

I'm interested in experienced collectors observations on Schofields.

 

[opoefc]

Original US issue Schofields came with smooth walnut grips. Commercial Schofields are seen with both the walnut grips and pearl or ivory, as installed by the S&W distributors to customers requests. Handguns, such as Colts, S&W. Remingtons, Merwins, etc. were personal possessions, and as such they received various styles of adornment to fit the personality of the owners. There's really no limit to what can be found on these old guns in the way of stocks or grips. I have some old Colt SAAs with rawhide grips, probably as a field repair to keep the gun usable for the owner. They were applied green and are now dried to steel toughness. Ed.