Pearly whites.

[Leadeye]

I recently acquired another Merwin revolver and a member asked me about the grip material which was real mother of pearl. It occurred to me that you just don't see this on modern guns much although it was very fashionable in the past. So setting aside George Patton's comments about real pearl, post em if you got em. Here are some of mine.

 

[JEBland]

Are all the revolvers Merwins?

The unmounted grips on the top right look similar in shape to those on the pictured handguns - any Leadeye stories about them?

 

[Leadeye]

The Merwins are bottom left and second from bottom right. The spare grips are just stuff I've picked up over the years, I look for guns with broken grips that will fit the extras I have. The two slab side ones fit Colt 1903, the curved one fits a S&W top Break like the S&W New Departure top left. The rest of the guns are a mix of Colt and S&W.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

So setting aside George Patton's comments about real pearl,

So you're not a pimp in a Louisiana whorehouse?

 

[Mgderf]

The two slab side ones fit Colt 1903

Don't suppose you would have any interest in selling that set, would you?

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Don't suppose you would have any interest in selling that set, would you?

So you have a potential job as a pimp in a Louisiana whorehouse?

 

[Skullglide]

I knew this thread would not disappoint. Great pic.

 

[Squid556]

Great collection

I’ve noticed that before and wondered why pearl grips have taken such a back seat.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I’ve noticed that before and wondered why pearl grips have taken such a back seat.

Because people are afraid to disagree with General Patton even after his death!

 

[Jaybird1980]

I think the import and export of mother of pearl is restricted now

Leadeye always comes through.

 

[mcapo]

Wish I had a pic to share. Only ones I have are, at least I assume, a faux set on an older SW Hand Ejector.

The "tooth test" says they are fake. Smooth as can be.

 

[Born2vette]

I think the import and export of mother of pearl is restricted now

Leadeye always comes through.

You are thinking ivory I believe, mother of pearl comes from oysters.

 

[Jaybird1980]

You are thinking ivory I believe, mother of pearl comes from oysters.

No I'm pretty sure both MOP and Abalone have restrictions. I am aware of where they come from

 

[Aszerigan]

You are thinking ivory I believe, mother of pearl comes from oysters.

He's correct. That's how to test a true vs fake batch of MoP or pearl strands.

You can use black lights or a hot needle to test ivory.

 

[Born2vette]

Most commercial mother of pearl comes from farmed, cultured pearl oysters. Export from the US is restricted in part due to restrictions on import/export of abalone and the governments penchant for putting all things similar in the same bucket (If it looks like an assault rifle……)

 

[MrSmitty]

Thanks Leadeye, for another droolworthy post.....