Correct Factory Grips...Series 70 LTW Commander

[SpeedRacer]

All,

What is the proper factory grips for a 1972 S70 LTW Commander? If I'm not mistaken, it's the cocobolo diamond grips w/gold medallion?

When I purchased the Colt it only came with the Hogue wrap-around which I love. But I'd also like to have a set of original factory grips for it.

Also, if anyone has an extra set laying around...I'd be interested! :D

[OD*]

I'm not sure they were diamond grips w/gold medallion, but just the medallion? Either way, you can find them here for a decent price.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/cdnn_1875_4433465 http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/cdnn_1871_1873704

http://cdnninvestments.com/co19gofugrwf.html
http://cdnninvestments.com/co19cobodich.html

[RickB]

Colt also used a rough, sandblasted grip during that period. I have some old Colt catalogs from the '70s, and will check what's shown in the pics.
The checkered grips of the period were a very pale walnut, appearing almost unfinished. These show up on ebay all the time, and I've purchased three or four sets over the years. High bids run from $20-$40, depending on condition and who's paying attention.
Double diamond grips have really only become popular again over the last 10-15 years, and Colt didn't put them on any guns in the '50-'90s, except commemoratives and limited editions.

[OD*]

were a very pale walnut

That is what mine are.

[SpeedRacer]

Thanks for the responses guys! It seems there's really no one set of correct grips...more like a correct era of grips? I know most Series 70 Commanders I've seen have the regular (non-diamond) cocobolo grips w/medallion, so I may end up grabbing a set of those. Or I'll keep an eye on eBay for the ones Rick described.

Thanks again.

[michael t]

Mine were a smooth walnut No checkering at all. Just Medallion. I bought mine new in March of 1972

[RickB]

I checked the Colt catalogs from '71, '72, and '74, and all showed the Commander, both Combat and Lightweight, with "smooth" wood grips, with silver medallions. The grips weren't exactly smooth, in some cases. I've heard them described as sandblasted, and they have rough texture. Only the Gold Cup had checkered grips with gold medallions.

[SpeedRacer]

Thanks so much for the info Rick, that answers my question. Now the hard part...I've seen the checkered and diamond grips everywhere, but have never seen the ones you've described. Other than eBay (none on there at the moment) does anyone know where to find a set?

And does anyone have a pic so I know exactly what to look for?

[RickB]

Try the gun auction sites. I've just about convinced myself that the roughened wood grips were used only on the nickel-plated guns, and that the blued ones used smooth. Someone has already commented that theirs were smooth, and the pics in the catalog, of the blued guns, were really only clear enough to confirm that they weren't checkered. Here are some good pics of nickeled guns, and you can see the rough texture of the wood.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=40992050

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976661361.htm

This might be what you're looking for:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=41143279