Birds Head Grip

[Kleanbore]

The "Birds head grip, which has been used in some single action revolver replicas, originated with the 1877 and 1878 D/A Colts.

Was it developed because the 1851/1873 grip was not conducive to double action shooting?

 

[Bcwitt]

The way I understood it, they were for folk w smaller hands.

 

[MedWheeler]

I didn't know that about its origins. If that's the case, it's certainly curious that it has since become pretty much a SA-only thing since. I only have three, all of which are .22 calibers, and two of them are NAA revolvers (one of those was at shipping, and isn't now, and the other wasn't at shipping, and is now.)

 

[Pat Riot]

I have tried finding historical information on the “birdshead” grips and their origins but it seems all I find is information on forums that is more opinion than anything else. There are no websites that I have found that give any definitive information on the history of them.

I did own a Ruger Vaquero Birdshead in .45 Colt but sold it before I realized I actually liked the goofy thing. The grip was too big as I thought the purpose of the birdshead was to trim down the gun. That always irked me so I sold it. Looking back it was a pretty cool revolver.

I am sure there is historical info out there somewhere on birdshead revolvers, I just gave up looking.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I always rather assumed that the form was following function and that the main aspect of the form to me seemed to benefit carry-styles in eliminating the harsh heel of the classic grip for some cross-draws, shoulder holsters and the popular pocket-carry.

I know that folk can find the odd barrel length that does not necessarily conform to that view but I see those as taking advantage of the grip shape after the fact.

Just another opinion, of course.

Todd.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

If the purpose of the birds head grip is to accommodate smaller hands, why are they put on such tiny guns as NAA revolvers?

 

[CraigC]

There's an important distinction to be made. There is the birdshead, which is simply the SAA/Navy grip frame rounded off and then there is the Lightning/Thunderer design with the hump. The birdshead was to allow the SAA to be more easily concealed. IMHO, it sacrifices some handling/control to make them better for concealment. I haven't read any documentation to support it but my theory is that the hump on the Lightning/Thunderer grip frames was very much to make them more suitable for DA trigger work.

 

[Kleanbore]

There's an important distinction to be made. There is the birdshead, which is simply the SAA/Navy grip frame rounded off and then there is the Lightning/Thunderer design with the hump.

Imprecision on my part--I was thinking of the Lightning/Thunderer design.

my theory is that the hump on the Lightning/Thunderer grip frames was very much to make them more suitable for DA trigger work.

That makes a lot of sense to me.

Thanks.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

What do we call the Webley Mk 1 (ca. 1887) grip shape? Is it a bird’s head or it’s own thing?

 

[Riomouse911]

What do we call the Webley Mk 1 (ca. 1887) grip shape? Is it a bird’s head or it’s own thing?

I’d say it’s a pretty close copy to the thunderer grip style.

Thunderer:

Webley Mk I:



Birdshead:



Not a smooth birdshead in the classic sense because of the hump CraigC mentions, but the Webley Mk I is close.

Stay safe.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I’d say it’s a pretty close copy to the thunderer grip style.

Thunderer:View attachment 999662

Webley Mk I:

View attachment 999663

Birdshead:

View attachment 999664

Not a smooth birdshead in the classic sense because of the hump CraigC mentions, but the Webley Mk I is close.

Stay safe.

The Webley and Bird's Head are both almost reminiscent of the old dueling pistol grips:


To me, the Webley looks more like a Hawkbill shape but you're right about it resembling the Colt Thunderer/Lightning with the web-of-the-hand hump.

 

[ThomasT]

You beat me to it Geodude. A Kentucky Pistol. The original Birdshead grip.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

This Merwin Hulbert 44-40 Pocket Army 2nd Model was made sometime between 1881 and 1883. Unable to pin it down further as all the records were lost in a fire at some point.

It has what is often called the Skull Crusher grip because of the way the metal frame protrudes below the grips. It would be pretty nasty if used as a club.

Anyway, I would classify this as a birds head grip.






I can tell you it is not as convenient and comfortable to shoot as a standard 1873 Single Action Army grip. It does not roll in my hand in recoil the same way a SAA grip does. I have to hold it a bit differently than I do a SAA.

 

[wgf]

The Ruger birds head is relatively fat and comfortable in my slightly larger than average hands. I shoot the about the same with either type grip. The 12 shot groups in the photo were shot at 10 yards. The 1873 is a little harder to shoot because of it’s sights, that’s why that group has a couple flyers.

 

[Coyote3855]

I prefer the Lightning/Thunderer grip style both in looks and how it feels in the hand. I wouldn't kick the other style out of the gun safe though.