ltwguns.com

Although I do not know a great deal about ivory I have always like the look of good ivory pistol grips. Does it wear well, is it fragile or can it take the dings of everyday use? Does good grain have any effect on its strength? Finally can it be used on the front sight in place of gold? Does anyone have photos of a blaster dressed in good ivory?
Thanks
Sam

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Ivory can take some wear and tear; however, I would not use it when I expected the grips would take impacts. I have carried a custom Colt with Nutmeg Sports ivories for a few years, and the grips survived. I did take some extra care with the grips, removing them from the pistol once per month and soaking them in mineral oil for about a week to prevent them from crazing and cracking. I had two pair of ivory grips that I would rotate on and off the pistol.

I am not sure that ivory in the front sight would survive the fast slide cycling, but I have not ever heard one way or another.

The stainless gun below was in my carry rotation.



The blued gun below is my wife's baby, and my favorite blaster.

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Scott

subject: Opinion on Ivory grips Subject: Mounting ivory grips? I use ivory on my carry gun - it pleases me. I use o-rings under the grip screws but should probably use aquarium tubing for reasons discussed on the above threads.

I don't know who smithed it or even who owns it but Tony Kanaley has posted pictures elsewhere of a 1911 with ivory grip panels that is as pretty as a pistol can be - verges on loving the sword for its sharpness but I can stand that.

I've carried my Delta Elite Carry-Comp with Nutmeg Sports ivories for
a long time now...no problems yet, but I too take care of mine...

There is nothing better looking to my eye and nothing more impractical than a set of ivory stocks

(I have 3 sets)

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Thanks guys that was interesting!
Sam

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Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
Winston Churchill

I've had the opportunity to whittle on ivory in the mill a little bit-- it seemed to me to be about the consistency of decent plastic, leading me to believe it would be a durable enough material for grips.

Thanks Ned, The reason I asked in the first place is because I was watching the History Channel and it showed elephants in Africa fighting with their tusks and moving logs in India with their tusks. It occurred to me that maybe it is not so delicate after all, so I thought I would ask people who have actually used it.
Sam

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Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
Winston Churchill

Had this set on for 2 years now. The gun is an on/off duty weapon. Pretty hard use. No adverse effects (yet).
[img][img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/al ... 9d3f16.jpg[/img][/img]

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I have used ivory on a couple of different carry guns over the years, but, as much as I like well-figured ivory, I usually end up replacing it with Spegal Cocobolo or rubber. Why? I am not thrilled with the thought of them breaking. Here is the pistola that I carried to an Independence Day BBQ yesterday in Alessi leather. This ivory has the most character of any set of grips I have owned....and I would be heart-broken if they broke.

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Wayne Miller

I bought these through the COLT custom shop several years ago...told they were 1930's vintage.

The gun is my {2007} Ed Brown Class A Custom, factory engraved - 1 of 9 built.

I rarely carry my guns with Ivory, although I believe it is spectacular...prefer Esmeralda, Wicked, Alumagrips and VZ's for every day use.

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Mike

Denver Gun Nut

If I didn't live in CA, I'd be carrying this...ivory and all...

The ivory grip panels on this Series 70 survived a 4 foot drop, butt first, onto a graveled walkway However, this particular method of QA/QC testing is not recommended.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa23 ... C00539.jpg

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"When the sword is once drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation." ~Alexander Hamilton

The ivory grip panels on this Series 70 survived a 4 foot drop, butt first, onto a graveled walkway However, this particular method of QA/QC testing is not recommended.

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"When the sword is once drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation." ~Alexander Hamilton

These Elephant Ivory grips are about 4 years old. The pistol is a Bowling Pin pistol and not carried. It took about 2 years to complete and has had limited use compared to a carry pistol. I keep the grips clean and dry - no treatment. The 1911 has a Caspian barstock receiver and Damascus slide. Rachel Wells did the classic hammer and chisel work. Don Williams did the machine work and Dave and I built it.







Dean
deanrtaylor@hughes.net
410-952-7848

As mentioned above the key to a long-lived set of Ivory stock panels is care and common sense. Proper mounting is essential and given that, as well as a bit of maintenance, Ivory stocks can last a good while and endure the rigors of an active shooter’s/gun-toter’s lifestyle.

I’ve used, carried, and shot quite a few guns with Elephant Ivory stocks and never found them to be a hindrance on a gun that is carried in a concealed format. Will the stocks last forever... probably not, but neither will our teeth. On a gun that is going to see countless thousands of rounds Ivory stocks are probably not the best choice (ask me how I know) and the current trend of uber-tactical guns need not apply... for those guns there are stocks made out of materials whose names I can’t even pronounce. But if you’ve got a classically styled two-tone, hard chromed, or especially polished blued gun and you’re not afraid of a little maintenance Ivory stocks give that touch of class and sense of pride that is so familiar in custom 1911s.

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