[sanleonkid]

Son and I were going through Father’s safe yesterday. This one hadn't been out in a while. Upon further examination and removing grips, it appears that they are actually genuine MOP. There are indentations /scallops on the inside that appear to be natural. We lettered this one and it was purchased in Houston and shipped out in late 1958 but stocks were "not listed".

Can anyone tell if the grips look real or where they may be from based on the bushing . How would I tell if they are/aen't ?

 

[Dalfort]

No idea on their origin but they look absolutely real to me.

Very nice find

 

[swamprat]

Genuine MOP, but not shipped from Colt on the gun. It was probably shipped with the regular black grips.

 

[sanleonkid]

OK now I'm scared......I had only seen this SAA a couple of times but never removed grips to look underneath. I have wrapped them up in a paper towel and put a set of Altamont Aged Ivorys on ithe SAA for handling.

 

[saintclair]

I have owned several sets of pearl grips that look like those. There were a few 'after-market' producers of such grips back in the mid to early 1900's. Many had the same problem as the ones you pictured in that the nut on the screw would tend to break through the very thin ivory when the screw was tightened.

 

[Mblhopo]

There real pearl, also they look to have been on more than one gun. Maybe several during there life time.....................................................M*

 

[swamprat]

OK now I'm scared......I had only seen this SAA a couple of times but never removed grips to look underneath. I have wrapped them up in a paper towel and put a set of Altamont Aged Ivorys on ithe SAA for handling.

What's to be scared of? They look great on the gun and should be on it. MOP is not as fragile as some would have you believe.

 

[sanleonkid]

Now you are just showing off....

Very nice

 

[LEO918]

Here's a set of MOPs on my .41 Colt...

​

 

[jban]

Swamprat, was your posting of one of the coolest collections of MOP I recall ever seeing meant to cause the recall of Gen Geo Patton's quote showing his admiration for this regal material? I seem to recollect that he preferred ivory but spoke at least once on this subject.

 

[Hopalong]

OK now I'm scared......I had only seen this SAA a couple of times but never removed grips to look underneath. I have wrapped them up in a paper towel and put a set of Altamont Aged Ivorys on ithe SAA for handling.

I think your MOPs look great on the gun!

 

[Rick Bowles]

Gen Geo Patton's quote showing his admiration for this regal material? I seem to recollect that he preferred ivory but spoke at least once on this subject.

Patton may have admired pearl but he hid that fact!. When asked about his "pearl handled revolvers" he replied "They're ivory. Only a pimp from a cheap New Orleans whorehouse would carry a pearl-handled pistol."

 

[azshot]

Colt started putting medallions in their pearl grips about 30 years before your gun was made. I doubt they would have made them without medallions by the 1950s, but don't know for sure. To me, pearl is pearl. It's valuable because it's exotic and beautiful, not because of who crafted that particular set. There is a slight premium on sets with medallions, but all pearl grips this large are expensive. Also, we know Colt outsourced grip manufacturing in the mid 20th century (and probably always did at times). So whoever can make a set that fits and are polished well, is a true craftsman. Compared to wood, there are no "hacks" making pearl.

 

[Docneeley]

Rub the grips against your teeth. If they feel gritty, they are real MOP.

 

[Southgate]

I prefer Ivory also but I have no problem with MOP , I'd put them back on .

Eddie

 

[Rio]

OK now I'm scared......I had only seen this SAA a couple of times but never removed grips to look underneath. I have wrapped them up in a paper towel and put a set of Altamont Aged Ivorys on ithe SAA for handling.

Put the pearls back on the gun, kid - they look great. Just don't use this one to practice your gun spinning!

Rio

 

[Rio]

Nice collection Swamprat. I take it you like MoP? Seems like you might be a contributing factor to molluscs becoming an endangered species!

Rio

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Those look really great on that 1958 Colt. I think I like the contrast more of blue with pearl than the ultra fancy nickel/pearl. Here's my pearls on a nickel 1958 Colt but look better on my short .44.

 

[swamprat]

Nice collection Swamprat. I take it you like MoP? Seems like you might be a contributing factor to molluscs becoming an endangered species!



Rio

And on Ivory...I like it too!

 

[Red River]

I think Swamprat is right on being more durable than most think. If you are ever close to Waco, TX, make time to visit the Texas Ranger Museum, well worth it. You will see several Colt's that wear pearl and that were carried a lot. Those fellows knew their hardware and its social applications! I value their unspoken opinion more than George's.