Hawg, you're correct about the jigged bone grips being associated with cowboys of "B" westerns, but there's lots of linkage between those in early Hollywood and the old west. While filming early movies, especially silent, many authentic outlaws and lawmen were actually used to recreate famous events. Butch Cassidy did his thing into the 20th century, as well as Dillinger and Bonnie and Clyde. I consider them outlaws as much as the James gang, but were just around in more modern times.
The Colt New Service, which originally came out in 1898, in my book is a western style revolver though modern by all standards. They were seen all over the place during the Mexican Revolution. All that took place during WWI. That new service had a non functioning ejector rod and housing screwed into the barrel in order to make it look like a SAA in Hollywood. Heck, Charles Bronson in the White Buffalo had a scene while waking up from a nightmare starts shooting at the mounted buffalo head on his bedroom wall. The guns used were a pair of S&W model10 heavy barrels with plastic stags and barrels with ejector rods screwed on. Even Dean Martin used phonied up Smiths as well. That's Hollywood!Those guns were used in scenes where they wanted very rapid shots.
Two of my favorite all time westerns are The Wild Bunch and The Professionals. These were based in the time of the 20th century. The Winchester 1897 riot shotguns though modern if compared to a 73, or 92 and the 1911 is modern compared to an old SA are used like crazy in those films with great effect. I have jigged bone on my vintage 1920's colt new service. I even added on the Tyler T-grip, but with it's F. Mueller holster it looks western as well. I sent a photo of that one to Towboat_er also.
If the 1800's authentic look is only desired then of couse the jigged bone may, or may not want to be used. But the good vintage ones make for a nice looking stag effect. I really love this subject and hope more can be discussed.
Movies like I mentioned, as well as Pancho Villa, are considered westerns, though not old 1800's western. But I'd consider them authentic western for all intents and purposes. A good read if can be found is an old Guns and Ammo publication from the 1970's called "Guns of the Gunfighters". It covers as far back as Zorro in old California up to Elliot Ness. There's lots of photos of guns, gear, actual shootouts caught by the camera. It's a fascinating soft cover book worth searching for.
