Show us those REAL Ivory or manmoth grips...

[deadmarsh]

some of you purists have on your 1911's or SAA pistols...

Seriously, I'm thinking about treating myself to some for my favorite carry 1911...


Dead

[NYCMedic]

These are mammoth tooth. Regretably, I ordered them when I was planning on getting a bobtailed 1911 and then got a great deal on a Yo-Bo (not bobtailed).
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/AriSuss/123_2334.jpg

[deadmarsh]

Those are beautiful...would you mind telling me where you purchased them?


Dead

[NYCMedic]

It would be my pleasure. http://fineturnage.com/custom_grips.php He also sells some on ebay http://stores.ebay.com/FINE-TURNAGE-PRODUCTIONS. If you know what you want, contact him and he'll make them for you. These are some others of his (that I do not own).
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/AriSuss/88_1.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/AriSuss/93_1.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/AriSuss/mammothgrips.jpg

[Frank]

Here are a few plain elephant ivory. These are from Charles Spresser on eBay.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l142/fiddletown_2006/IMG_4050.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l142/fiddletown_2006/IMG_4015.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l142/fiddletown_2006/IMG_4031.jpg

DVC

[John]

Yes please show us some pictures. I haven't drooled enough lately.

[TonyW]

Frank - the ivory looks nice on that Nighthawk - that is what will be on my Masters Edition- yeah- right - in my dreams :D :D

[gbw]

I know this isn't a 1911, I hope John will forgive me. I though folks might enjoy this.

This is the real thing - the gun was made in 1882, iirc, sn is 93,xxx.

I found this in a shoebox in my grandmother's garage as a teenager in the late 60's, with a few of the cartridges pictured. I'm pretty sure it had been there since at least 1948 or thereabouts. The earliest mention of it I know of is 1932, when my grandfather had it registered, and the local newspaper printed an article about it. He had a story claiming that it is a blood gun - he was a good storyteller, and I never knew him to lie, so it may well be so.

I'm fairly certain it was from the Colt factory with nickel plate and the grips shown. I believe they are ivory, but I'm not an expert. I've never fired the gun.

It used to be in better shape. God save us from fools and teenagers, my brother and I used to play with the old gun, and we even clamped it in a vise and tried to fire it. We also took it apart using whatever tools were handy. My folks knew nothing of collector firearms, and as long as we were careful didn't care how we treated it.

The cylinder bores are in very good condition, the barrel bore is somewhat pitted although the rifling is still clear and strong.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n240/gbw_jr01/guns3106.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n240/gbw_jr01/guns3105.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n240/gbw_jr01/guns3107.jpg

[deadmarsh]

GBW:

The way those grips have weathered/aged, I'm certain they are ivory. And beautiful they are just as they are...

That SAA is a real 'keeper'...take care of that old relic...things such as that warm my heart...


Dead

[gbw]

Thanks. I've never been really positive about the grips.

The gun is beautifully fitted, I do wonder sometimes how they did such good machining and polishing in the 1880's.

I've had many offers for the old fella, some quite high. Not for sale, never will be, it's a family heirloom. And yes, it finally gets the care it deserves.

[deadmarsh]

The gun is beautifully fitted, I do wonder sometimes how they did such good machining and polishing in the 1880's.

They did that so well because they were true tradesmen. Their jobs and income to support their families dictated they produce a quality product. They took reasonable time to get the fitting correct and they worked on one gun at a time (for the most part) until complete...

Remember, Colt had alot of competition from S&W/Remington/etc. for contracts during that era, not counting the numerous gunsmiths trying to make a name for themselves and win government contracts. They had to produce a good/excellent product to survive. And there were better handguns than the Colt SAA for foot and horse soldiers. The Remington 1875, IMO, was a superior product as were the S&W break-open varities for speed reloading and one hand operation. So Colt was under the gun (so to speak) to produce something with that bit of extra quality in fit and finish (and for the most part, they were the least expensive of the era handguns at around $24.00/copy of a standard SAA... :D

Keep that SAA in the family in honor of your grandfather if for no other reason...


Dead