Colt 45 Pistol Grip Material Question...

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UtopiaTexasG19

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I have passed down to me a single action Colt 45 long pistol originally owned by my Great grandfather. From the serial numbers this is a 1902 build. I believe the grips to be original but they look like some sort of plastic and I wonder what type, if any plastic was used at that date? Material is black, finely hatched/checkered with a Colt horse figure rearing up on its hind legs. These grip "covers" are worn smooth on the bottom 1/8" from use. What material might this be? Thanks...
 
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Colt used a couple of different materials for grip stock. While I'm not expert I know that they used something called Coltwood and something called Coltrock, both synthetic material similar to Bakelite. If you could post some pictures I'm sure that an expert will come along and tell you what you've got.
 
The grip material is correct, it is a hardrubber compound which I believe was first introduced around 1880 when it replaced the one piece wood grips.

There are however a few different variants of the hardrubbergrips depending on when it was manufactured, so while I can assure you that the material is correct, there´s no way of telling whether it is the original grips without pictures.

Regards!
Anders Olsson
 
Hopefully this picture is detailed enough. :)
colt45002Small.jpg
 
I do believe those are the correct style grips for your gun, if manufactured in 1902 (and if I´m wrong, someone will correct me).
By the way, just judging from that picture, it looks like a very nice condition Colt you have there! Very nice indeed!

Regards!
Anders Olsson
 
Yes, Though the finish has been rubbed off in most places from years of use the mechanics of the pistol look to be in fair shape. I have re-loaded my own rifle and pistol bullets for over 30 years but I have never shot a Colt 45 long so I will eventually figure out what modern light load may work well in a pistol this old and try it out. The cylinder, cocking mechanism and trigger appear to work smoothly and the cylinder has no play in the frame. I am in a quandry though how to take the gun apart for cleaning. It appears to have the same set up as my more modern Ruger Super BlackHawk to take the cylinder out but on this Colt 45 the cylinder pin spins with the cylinder as if it is one piece so it looks to be frozen by internal rust somewhere. In the past someone must have had trouble in this area because the end of the cylinder pin is dented from a pair of pliers being used. I will attempt to force some penetrating oil between the cylinder pin and cylinder and procede from there.
 
Those grips are what is now called hard rubber, but at the time was called gutta percha. It is a natural compound, not man-made as most plastics are today. It antedated Coltrock and other materials by several decades. More info can be found by googling "gutta percha".

One characteristic of gutta percha is that it turns brittle with age, so any strain put on those grips could cause them to crack or break. If you plan to shoot the gun, I suggest replacing the grips with modern repros or any grip made for the SAA, and preserving the originals.

Jim
 
+1. ...there are a few internet sources for 1st Gen repro grips if you want to keep it looking as is "stock." Recent era Colt SAA grips--though similar in appearance (early 2nd Gens look just like these)--are just different enough in size that they likely will not fit well.
 
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