[jbmi]

I've seen some nice pictures of ivory grips on SAA and other Colts.
I'm thinking of some on my new SAA and wonder what's the opinion, with or without medallions ?
If yes to medallions, gold or silver.
The pic's I see for original first gen. usually show plain grips, would they be considered the correct ones to use?

 

[jcs]

Generally speaking, from comments I've gathered here on the Colt Forum, I think most prefer Ivories without medallions. However, it depends on the gun and the look you are trying to achieve. I have guns with Ivories both with and without medallions. It's a personal preference.
Here's a pair of consecutively numbered Colt SAA's that have been engraved in the style of Cuno Helfricht. I chose Colt Antique Medallions that complement the color case and the period.

 

[UncleEd]

As I recall, the heyday of medallions on SAA occurred with the 1st Geners wood grips around 1900 to maybe 1915 or 1920. I don't think they existed before that.

Of course they were used on the wooden grips from the 1960s as well.

I personally like the looks of them on either wood or ivory.

 

[DuWhat]

I personally don't like the medallions on my ivory gripped guns. Don't hate the medallions it's just the ivory grips look cleaner and less clutered without them. As always just my 2 cents.

 

[Colt75]

It is your choice -- get what you want. I don't like gold medallions at all, but if you like them, get them.

 

[Rejcpa]

1901 SAA with Ivory

I recently acquired this beautiful SAA with Ivory Grips. It's a Colt Frontier Six Shooter, of course in 44-40, that was shipped Oct. 30, 1901 to Krakauer, Zork, and Moye Company in El Paso, TX. The action is amazing on this gun! I would love to know the history of this gun. I like the Ivory without the medallions. I think the medallions appeared from Colt in the mid to late 1900's.

 

[RampantColtFool]

My recently acquired 1970 Colt NF SAA in .45LC 5.5" barrel sporting butter smooth plain ivories! They were really what made me buy her, just couldn't resist them! Either way you choose they'll look great! Good luck!

 

[swamprat]

Depends on whether you like them without medallions:






Or with medallions:

 

[CJS57]

It also depends on if the ivories are carved. These are originals on a lettered gun from about 1930.

 

[rhmc24]

Here a couple of mine. My DIY SAA with ivory I had made in Africa 1951, decor mine.



And old & tired from 1870s nickeled back in the day much wore away.

 

[Chaffee]

I prefer them without.......

 

[BearBio]

Ivory or faux ivory, with or without: I have both. Mostly, blued without medallion, nickel either way, engraved with.

 

[swamprat]

It also depends on if the ivories are carved. These are originals on a lettered gun from about 1930.

View attachment 51035

That's true! Carved...












Or with scrim...

 

[saintclair]

I prefer the ivory without medallions. In the days before every thing was being faked, having medallions meant the grips were 'made by/for Colt.' Today, you can buy just about any medallion style you want and reproduce whatever vintage of 'original Colt ivories' that you want.
Forum members hate 'fake boxes,' so why not 'fake medallion grips?'

 

[johngross]

I prefer the clean lines of no medallions.

However, if you want your cake and eat it too, then have the "medallion" carved right into the ivory