Three completely unique pair of Curtis Harlow stocks.

[SouthNarc]

Many of you know I placed a rather large order with our beloved Curtis Harlow as his stock making days are closing soon.

Curtis and I have become friends and we correspond quite a bit. As our relationship has developed Curtis has entertained some ideas that he has never executed in wood before. I wanted to own several pieces of his work that are one of a kind. Two of these are on pre-war guns and one on a post war gun. My preference would be not to split the thread in two and just showcase this artisan's work in a single space. It reads and views better. So sit back and enjoy as I post some eye candy for this long swan song for my friend's artistry.

 

[SouthNarc]

Up first are a pair for a 6” nickeled Regulation Police. I’ve always been a fan of the fish lipped stocks that RKMesa has so many fine examples of. I already had one pair that Curtis executed perfectly for a Model of 1905 Target. I thought a miniature pair for this elegant long barreled I frame would be nifty. Take a look. I think the photo compared to the K frame Target and the one in my hand show how truly small this pair is. Perfectly executed in miniature. Like....an I frame!

 

[SouthNarc]

Second pair up are also for an I frame. It seems since I bought my first one these little guns have been falling in my lap. This one is a family gun that belonged to my great grandfather and was passed on to me by my uncle. It had a horrendous pair of poorly fitting oversized stocks that looked to be made in the 70s. Looking at photos of my great grandfather he was a fairly well dressed and elegant man who according to family history also had
a vicious temper. Allegedly he shot someone for a minor insult with this pistol. Different times.

This heirloom is wearing a pair of miniature high horn magnas with Roper style checkering. Again…something that hasn’t probably existed before. These are really fetching.

 

[SouthNarc]

Last pair up is Curtis’ expression of the Fleur De Lis stocks that have appeared on old Colt’s and S&Ws over the years and saw a resurgence when forum member Schofield Kid made a few pair for forum members before disappearing. I had a post war nickeled 38/44 HD that is apparently a bit off in size on the grip frame because nothing I had here at the house fit it. Great reason to ask Curtis to make a pair! He made these faithfully to the photos and I love how they turned out.

 

[SouthNarc]

That's it for now. Two more pair in queue.

I know there's been a ton of grousing about the new forum software but personally speaking it's much easier to post photos now and it's just like the S&WCA forum software.

Enjoy Curtis' work folks. There will never be another like him!


-Craig

 

[DARE]

Great looking grips.

 

[D1911]

I have a couple of pairs of factory N-frame smooth targets that Curt converted to Coke grips. They are the best feeling N-frame grips I have ever held. Curt is a true gentleman and artisan. Wish I had more of his grips.

 

[clipper1]

Up first are a pair for a 6” nickeled Regulation Police. I’ve always been a fan of the fish lipped stocks that RKMesa has so many fine examples of. I already had one pair that Curtis executed perfectly for a Model of 1905 Target. I thought a miniature pair for this elegant long barreled I frame would be nifty. Take a look. I think the photo compared to the K frame Target and the one in my hand show how truly small this pair is. Perfectly executed in miniature. Like....an I frame!

Ooh, I have a nickle pre model 30 I frame that would cry to have such as these! They are just plain beautimus!

 

[boykinlp]

Craig, Curt’s grips are spectacular as always! One thing that also makes me very happy is that he has signed and dated his creations. As a minor grip collector myself, it really stinks when we find an interesting pair of vintage grips and can NEVER determine who the maker was. Some have characteristics that can be associated with different makers, but many don’t. So, I want to thank Curt for doing this for the caretakers of his awesome grips 50 years from now!
Larry

 

[RKmesa]

Beautiful lumber!!!

Thanks for sharing,

 

[Rusty parrot]

Craig,
Thanks so much for sharing this artwork.
Your choice of wood for the project is just outstanding and Curt’s work in creating your grips further proof that workmanship like this will always be appreciated.
Have fun being a lucky caretaker.

 

[Green Frog]

I put 3 likes in this thread because even the new programming doesn’t have “Love” or “Lust After” as options. What a tour de force!

 

[Tom K]

Last pair up is Curtis’ expression of the Fleur De Lis stocks that have appeared on old Colt’s and S&Ws over the years and saw a resurgence when forum member Schofield Kid made a few pair for forum members before disappearing. I had a post war nickeled 38/44 HD that is apparently a bit off in size on the grip frame because nothing I had here at the house fit it. Great reason to ask Curtis to make a pair! He made these faithfully to the photos and I love how they turned out.

For reference, here are some of the grips of this style that Schofield Kid made for me (both K and N frame size): https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/some-stocks-by-schofieldkid81.393583/



They all have the same little cutout at the toe that I like so much, making them feel like magnas with a grip adapter without looking like a kludge.