Tips on ID'ing real ivory grips

[Cosmoline]

I've seen what sorta look like aged ivory grips in bargain bins from time to time, but on closer inspection they've turned out to be plastic. At least that's what I think. But my test usually just involves tapping them with my fingernail and seeing if I get a "plastic" sound. There must be a better way.

So if I see that rusty old Colt in the bargain bin of the pawn shop with what might be overlooked and $$ ivory grips, how can I tell?

 

[joab]

Take a hair wrap it around the item in question.
Take a cigarette lighter and lightly touch the flame to the hair, which is tightly wrapped around the grip.

If it is true bone or ivory the hair will not burn, if you leave the flame too long a plastic grip will before the hair does.

Make sure that the hair is wrapped around solid "ivory", if it is touching a metal screw or bushing or if there is air anywhere where the hair does not make positive contact it may burn

 

[Cosmoline]

Wow. Did not know that.

Is there something less obvious I can do to check? I don't think the shopkeep would appreciate me holding lighters and hairs up against his revolvers

 

[Titus]

Check both sides for visible grain. Might take a strong light or the right angle on some, though if it's aged I would expect it to stand out better. There are some fake ivories with grain out there, but I would never confuse my Ultra Ivory with my real ivory. Haven't seen any TruIvory in person, so I don't know how it compares.

 

[Titus]

Also, a hot needle (on an inconspicuous spot) will melt plastic whereas ivory will just smell. If you're serious about buying, maybe they'll let you test it. Of course, then they'll probably want to adjust the price for having real ivory grips too.

 

[joab]

if you leave the flame too long a plastic grip will before the hair does.

I miss spoke here .
The hair will burn instantly if it is plastic
You can leave the flame on for awhile if it is bone.

Learned that in Vietnam when I was gonna buy some bone/ivory chopstix. Uncle showed me that I was about to be taken

 

[joab]

Is there something less obvious I can do to check? I don't think the shopkeep would appreciate me holding lighters and hairs up against his revolvers

You would be surprised how many shop owners have allowed me to do it.
But usually only when they know it is bone and are charging as such.

 

[Archie]

Ivory...

has grain, usually in a 'cross-hatch' pattern.

Ivory (elephant) ages and turns a warm yellow color. Warthog ivory stays pretty white. (Which is why one uses warthog ivory for front sight beads.)

Usually, the inside of plastic grips will have casting or machine marks. Inside of ivory will be flat, but usually somewhat rough or textured.

Ivory grips cost about 10x the price of plastic. Unless, as proposed, one finds them in the bargain bin.

Good luck.

 

[Wildalaska]

I look at grain

WildimprettygoodatitAlaska

 

[sendec]

That hair thing is a cool little trick - I've never heard of it before. Is there any way to tell if ivory is "legal" or not? I was under the impression that elephant and walrus ivory could only be possesssed if it was harvested before a certain date.

 

[JohnKSa]

If it's here, it's legal. The ban is on importation IIRC. Anyway, how could they prove it WASN'T here before the ban?

The classic test for ivory/bone is to heat a needle or paperclip and poke the grip where it won't show. Plastic will melt, ivory/bone won't.

I don't know how to tell the difference between bone and ivory--I've seen some very pretty "ivory" made out of cow bones.

 

[joab]

The way to tell if ivory is here pre ban

When asked "where did you get it"? The reply is "my grandfather gave it to me."

Worked for me a few years ago.

 

[Cosmoline]

Thanks! Some good ideas here. I'm sure my chances of finding a pearl in the bin o' rust are slim, but who knows. It's one thing I've always wanted to know.

Considering how many millions of pounds of tusks from culled herds are sitting in warehouses in Africa waiting to be shipped, the international ban is pretty absurd.

 

[Archie]

Ivory is restricted in international trade...

since June of 1991 or thereabouts.

Elephant ivory is flat prohibited from importation, in any form (raw or worked), to the United States, except for:

1. Certificated antiques (have your papers in order), and
2. Collected by the importer pursuant to a legal hunt.

Walrus ivory may be imported by the indiginous indian tribes of Alaska, under certain conditions.

If you mail order ivory from a location outside the US, you are probably throwing money away.

The ban may be absurd, but it is legal and binding. Since when has common sense stopped the ordination of a silly idea?