This is a subject I've long been interested in, probably because I always thought The Duke's revolver looked so good. But, I rarely ever saw any Catalin grip stocks in person. Until the other day at a local gun show.
There was this one old boy who had two pairs. Both with finger grooves for a righty. One set was thicker, more fully cut like for a bigger hand. On the inside panel of one was a sticker with a name. It had a Texas address and the name was German of some kind that started with an S. I take it that was either the builder or the seller. The sticker was very old and clearly said "Catalin". I was told the grips were originally yellow-yellow but faded to a darker yellow shade and almost translucent looking. I wanted them very badly, but it was $200 a pair which I thought too much. Besides, they didn't look just quite right in size and I didn't have my 3rd Generation handy to try them on. I suspect that the Catalin may shrink with age. That of course would be a show stopper.
Then I continued circulating around and guess what. I found this guy who had a BIG collection of Catalins for all sorts of old Colts including the pocket semis. He even had a pair of one piece for the SAA. He also had a 1911 with a 1917 build date that had been neatly re-finished for $1,200, though that's a horse of a different color.
Anyway, his Catalins were $100 a pair.
What think you guys on that, as far as deals go and as far as if it's a good idea period??
Btw, a part of me is wondering if these really are better for an old worn SAA than a still factory new and bright looking 3rd Gen.
There was this one old boy who had two pairs. Both with finger grooves for a righty. One set was thicker, more fully cut like for a bigger hand. On the inside panel of one was a sticker with a name. It had a Texas address and the name was German of some kind that started with an S. I take it that was either the builder or the seller. The sticker was very old and clearly said "Catalin". I was told the grips were originally yellow-yellow but faded to a darker yellow shade and almost translucent looking. I wanted them very badly, but it was $200 a pair which I thought too much. Besides, they didn't look just quite right in size and I didn't have my 3rd Generation handy to try them on. I suspect that the Catalin may shrink with age. That of course would be a show stopper.
Then I continued circulating around and guess what. I found this guy who had a BIG collection of Catalins for all sorts of old Colts including the pocket semis. He even had a pair of one piece for the SAA. He also had a 1911 with a 1917 build date that had been neatly re-finished for $1,200, though that's a horse of a different color.
Anyway, his Catalins were $100 a pair.
What think you guys on that, as far as deals go and as far as if it's a good idea period??
Btw, a part of me is wondering if these really are better for an old worn SAA than a still factory new and bright looking 3rd Gen.
