Elephant Ivory Grips

[saville]

I would like some input on putting ivory grips on a 1911. Ranging from the legality of owning ivory, to how well they hold up, the reputable makers and where to buy.
Thanks
Saville

 

[sgist]

Check Ebay for listings.

 

[saville]

Not sure what you mean?

 

[farscott]

Elephant ivory is still available for use as grips. I have two pair for 1911 pistols. Both came from Nutmeg Sports, the supplier for the Colt Custom Shop. I paid about $200 for each pair, complete with inlaid Colt medallions.

In my experience, ivory holds up well. I soak mine in mineral oil for a few days every few months to keep the ivory from becoming dry and checking (splitting). One pair is on my carry pistol, so the ivory sees some use.

 

[wileyj]

Ajax Grips makes them for 1911's
http://www.ajaxgrips.com/ajax/ajax?set=10
enjoy

 

[saville]

Thanks guys.
I am planning to have them on my carry gun. Gonna be a bit expensive what with initials and scrimshaw but I'm worth it. lol
Anyone know how to tell fake ivory from real or even elephant ivory from other kinds?
I know I'm pushing my luck )
Saville

 

[Old Dog]

Anyone know how to tell fake ivory from real or even elephant ivory from other kinds?

Yes; once you're familiar with real ivory, the difference is easily detectable. Real ivory actually has a "grain."

There is only one maker of faux ivory (in my experience) whose grips even come close: Tru-Ivory by Bar-S Grips out of Everett, WA. They'll run you about 95 bucks, but they're much better than (for example) the Ajax "Ivory Polymer" or other plasticky-looking fake ivory. www.truivory.com
Check 'em out. I think they're worth it, if you don't want to spring for the real thing.

 

[sgist]

Sorry to be so cryptic. I love my ivories. Not sure I would put them on a carry pistol, but they certainly give a luxurious feel to a blued gun. The contrast is nice. They are legal to own, but you can no longer import elephant ivory. Nutmeg Sports is a better known seller. There are a few sellers with regular listings on Ebay who can give you a little education on ivory. Ivory is a natural product which is subject to drying out or cracking under pressure, hence the care instructions. If you want the look without the care worries, you might elect for one of the bonded ivory products. They vary from cheap to expensive in quality and cost ($20-150). If you love the look of natural grain or bark you will have to pay. Cost varies from about $200 to $700 depending on quality and amount of bark. If you have a presentation pistol in blue, there is nothing finer in my book.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Spresser Knife Works

I had considered buying ivory in the past, but for $50 ended up buying bone 1911 grips from Spresser Knife Works. I've had them on for four years, never taken any usual maintenance steps on them, shot them for plinking and IDPA, and had zero trouble.

He also stocks elephant ivory, fossil mastadon ivory, and giraffe bone (?!?!) in the $150-175 range.

I can't attest to his other grips, but my affordable bone ones were great. My next set will be elk antler ($45) from Antler Crafts of Oregon. I like exotic grips, I'm just not willing to pay much for them while trying to run a small business and finish grad school.

http://spresserknifeworks.itgo.com/colt45grips.htm

Whatever you pick, it's going to be way cooler than cocobolo or *shudder* rubber. Glad to meet a man of good taste,

-MV

 

[MCgunner]

I've always been partial to stag. I bought a set for my .45 Blackhawk some years ago when I had it engraved for about $80 from Ajax. I notice they still have Sambar stag, but the price is now 250 bucks. Guess there's a shortage of Sambars or somethin'.

The ivory has held its price. I think they actually FARM elephants for their ivory and sport hunting, manage may be a better term, in South Africa. They're allowed a certain amount on the world market each year. To my knowledge they're the only source of legal African elephant ivory, but I can't say for sure. You'd think with all the domestic Indian elephants, there'd be a source there, but an elephant's life span is as long as a human's and the natality rate is similar. Guess they're a little tough to actually farm. Besides, I'd hate to have to build a fence around a couple of sections of land that was elephant proof.

 

[Standing Wolf]

If you think elephant ivory is pretty, you should see woolly mammoth ivory.

 

[meef]

If you think elephant ivory is pretty, you should see woolly mammoth ivory.

Do you clean wooly mammoth ivory with woolite?

 

[saville]

Thank you again guys.

Yeah, probably not the smartest move to put ivory on a carry gun but I am having a custom built SS Commander and thought what a way to top off my project.
I am going to have Nutmeg make a set of bobtailed ivories with my initials and a schrimshaw of "End of the Trail". That is my all time favorite portrait and I just gotta have it.
Saville

PS Woolite is fine for cleaning the wooly mammoth grips ya just can't put the in the dryer.

 

[thatguy]

I carried this 1911 with ivories for about 20 years. Ivory is a little more fragile than wood, not so much as mother of pearl, but I didn't have any regrets. These stocks cost me $32.50 in 1975.



Here is another 1911 with newer ivory stocks. I bought these from Nutmeg Sports for $155. All of my 1911s wear ivory.



I have an old set of scrimshawed ivories that split on an alloy .38 Super being fired with hot loads. Only time I ever had trouble with them.

 

[Byron Quick]

I've elephant ivory grips on one 1911 and mammoth ivory on another.

 

[Old Dog]

thatguy -- Colt's pistols wearing ivory -- you are clearly a man of impeccable taste.

 

[BADSBSNF81]

I'll second Nutmeg Sports for 1911 ivory. Have a set and they are gorgeous.

 

[Banaka9999]

thatguy, those are damn beautiful grips! You have now influenced me to want to purchase a stainless steel 1911 and attach ivory-like grips~! They look damn slick, although the idea of ivory being weaker than wood is a bit of a turnoff.

 

[Rinehartdv]

Weaker than wood ?

Ivory is not weaker than wood. They used to make cue balls out of it. Ray

 

[MCgunner]

Ivory is not weaker than wood. They used to make cue balls out of it. Ray

Now, they make cue balls out of wood? I gotta say, it's prettier and classier than any wood.

 

[JWhitaker]

Having always been a fan of elephant ivory, all three of my Colt Government Models are stocked with ivory. Two are bark ivory, the outside cuts of the tusk. The other pair are inside cuts with Colt medallions inset in them.

With a little care to assure they don't dry out, like an application of mineral or baby oil every few months, they will serve well as carry grips. I have used Nutmeg Sports as a source of grips. The following link will take you to the source of my bark ivory grips: http://hometown.aol.com/mgpsrjr/myhomepage/

I will attempt to post a picture or two tomorrow.

Joel

 

[Sunray]

"...they actually FARM elephants for their ivory and sport hunting, manage may be a better term, in South Africa..." Rubbish. Yes, you can pay big for an elephant hunt, but you can't bring the ivory into the U.S. Importing elephant ivory is highly illegal.
There are places, like Nutmeg, that do sell real ivory grips though. $220US for grips is insane.

 

[SAWBONES]

I've got four sets of genuine Dumbo Dentition grips on my 1911s.
I recommend Mike Poulin, who does quality work and also seems to have the best prices: http://hometown.aol.com/mgpsrjr/myhomepage/index.html
I've tried some of the faux ivories, including Tru-Ivory, and they're NOT as nice as the genuine article. Period. (My Tru-Ivories even cracked, so they're maybe less durable, too.)

Sorry no pics, I'm digitally-deficient.

 

[thatguy]

Old Dog & B9999- Thanks for the kind words. Colts and ivory just seem to go together.

Here are a couple of Supers in ivory.





And how about a nice SAA in .44 Special?