Vintage Hogue or Hurst grips?

[gdogs]

I've been meaning to post these grips up here for a while now to see if we can figure out who made them. I think they are early Hogue grips, way before mass production, but I can't seem to find any definitive proof. They do however seem to have some of the Hurst characteristics as well.

The shape seems most like the current Hogue grip, with the exception of the top of the backstrap being covered. The cut out for the speed loaders also resembles Hogues. The checkering pattern also reminds me of the old Safariland grips which are very Mono-Grip like in profile. Anyone know if there was a Safariland-Rogers-Hogue grip connection?

The yellow pencil numbers I've read was common to Hurst (and I have a set of Hurst grips that are marked with a "D" in a yellow pencil), but I have never seen any of his grips that had filler blocks in the inletting. After writing that sentence I decide to check a Colt 1917 that wears what I believe are Hurst grips and they in fact do have inletting to fill the frame voids. And marked with a "T" in red wax pencil. Hmmm, now I'm back to being less certain.

As for what can be documented for early Hogue grips, one of the pair of grips posted by larry21556 in the link below (pictures 4,5,6,7) are very similar and the main reason I believe these to also be by Hogue. The inletting is the same, they are marked with a letter-number combo, but also stamped Hogue. They don't however cover the top of the backstrap. The checkering pattern is near identical in both shape and lpi to my grips. The grip screw hole is plugged in his Hogues too, but Hurst did that as well. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/186556-mystery-grips.html#post135913421

As to the backstrap, it certainly would have been common on a Hurst grip, but I was able to find a reference in that same thread regarding Hogue grips in the book Combat Handgun Shooting by Mason. The second photo in the link below shows a grip with a closed backstrap that is attributed to Hogue. I don't have this book so I cannot attest to the accuracy. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/186556-mystery-grips.html#post135913614

So that's my best case. What do you grip gurus think? I've considered contacting gatorbaitor on here to see if he could rechecker them and bring them back to their original glory (they really do have nice grain). Would I be damaging any value by having them restored? I find them very comfortable and have no intention of parting with them, and I believe them to be quite happy on my Mod 53.

 

[Gunhacker]

My vote is Rogers, I have a set of Rogers black synthetic combat grips for a round butt K-frame. The underside has the same filler piece, which I believe was a hallmark of Rogers grips.

The moulded in checkering pattern is the same style and lpi, and the grip screw on the right panel is also hidden.

 

[gdogs]

I wasn't aware of any Rogers grips that were made of wood. I was curious as to the Rogers - Hogue connection as there is clearly a lot of similarity between the two grips. Did Hogue make Rogers grips for them, or did Rogers make the grips themselves? Safariland grips are also identical to the Rogers grips.

 

[-db-]

gdogs, I'm almost certain I've seen a photo of grips similar to yours elsewhere on the forum that were identified as early Hogues. With all of these guys (Hogue, Hurst, Neale Perkins of Safariland, etc.), out in California at the same time back then, it's not unreasonable to assume they were aware of each other and maybe even borrowed from or helped each other with various designs.

I can't find the thread I'm thinking of right now, but here's one with a lot of info on Hurst: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/101546-stocks-hurst.html

 

[teezer]

those look like rogers combat grips to me

i bought a new pair of rogers combats when they first came out in the late 1970s, and wood was available for about 2.5X more than the synthetic ~~~ also the original rogers came with a allen head grip screw

rogers only lasted about a couple years and safariland bought them, and put their large medallion on the right grip ~~~ the hogue combats are almost identical, which were introduced after the safarilands

 

[SG-688]

Hogue.

Unless..... somebody can come up with a different original maker for the Rogers pattern grips, like the ones in the Mystery Grip thread.

Rogers is still kicking. Anybody have his ear to ask him?

 

[SG-688]

I sent an email to Rogers Shooting School. I don't know if Bill Rogers is active there or not. We'll see what I get.

 

[ljmvaw124]

I have several sets of early Hogues, with the filler block on the inside of the grip. The palm swells are much more pronounced, and the checkering is finer. Here's a set on a RB 19-3

 

[SG-688]

i bought a new pair of rogers combats when they first came out in the late 1970s, and wood was available for about 2.5X more than the synthetic ~~~

Sorry, I missed this the first time. I don't remember the wood. I had an early catalog and bought a holster--- but the only catalog I still have is from 1982. All synthetic by then.

 

[gdogs]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm interested in this Safariland - Rogers - Hogue connection. The more I look at them as a group, there is just way too much similarity to not have a strong tie.

I have several sets of early Hogues, with the filler block on the inside of the grip. The palm swells are much more pronounced, and the checkering is finer. Here's a set on a RB 19-3

Great looking grips. Are they stamped Hogue on the inside like the pair in my original post? Any color pencil markings?

 

[Vern]

They look like Roger's to me as well, except that yours looks to be wood while mine are plastic of some sort. The style is the same though.

Vern

 

[gdogs]

^I've got a set of Safariland N frame grips that are identical to those. And below is a Hogue Monogrip and Safariland Combat grip for a J Frame. Obviously the Monogrip differs greatly from it's Safariland counterpart, but has many similarities as well. I'm afraid I don't have any Rogers synthetic grips.

 

[SG-688]

Bill Rogers' reply

Bill Rogers generously replied to my email today:
-------------------------------------------

I purchased a pair of Hogue grips in the late 1970s. They did not fit my hand but I liked the palm swell concept that Guy Hogue had developed. Also the fit on the revolver was loose.

I then made my own grips that fit my hand and transferred the patterns to carbon. We then used the EDM process to make molds for the patterns. I designed the molded tabs that would automatically fit the different variations of the Smith Frames.

I then developed the process to make the Burlwud, synthetic wood finish.

I hope this is helpful. ----Bill Rogers

 

[gdogs]

^Great information! So it sounds like Rogers were mostly synthetic grips then. That does make me think that mine are most likely early Hogues.

 

[teezer]

here are my rogers synthetic square butts

 

[teezer]

and my safariland syntheric round butts

 

[Ohsheepdog]

Teezer's SBs are identical to the ones I just bought on eBay. They're out there if you look! I paid $15 shipped.