HELP: I need grips for my father-in-law's 1930's 1911A1

C

Country Boy

New member
My father-in-law, the luck SOB that he is, traded a not-anything-special Beretta for a 1933 Colt 1911A1 in 95-98% condition. It's absolutely gorgeous. Except...

The gun has a set of plastic stag-like grips that are absolutely horrendous. I'm looking for a source of original grips for a 1930's era gun. Any help would be appreciated. I'd like to surprise him, but I'm not sure where to look.
 
Try here:

http://www.ajaxgrips.com/

I believe the diamond pattern is what you want (listed as Govt'). You can pay extra for colt medalians and they're available in a variety of woods. Not exactly original equipment, but would look right and dress it up.
 
Grips

In-correct grips, which were popular with many senior, make that higher ranking military officers, are elephant ivory. Have $200 to spend, go to www.nutmegsports.com . I would venture to say that in less than 10 years, there will be no legal elephant ivory avilable for sale in the US.;)
 
I've sent e-mails to armscorpusa.com and eaglegrips.com. I tried looking at ajaxgrips.com, but I couldn't find the grips. I'm looking for ORIGINAL grips, if at all possible.

Thanks!

PS I think it Patton who was asked why he had pearl grips, and he responded by saying that the grips on his guns were ivory, and only a New Orleans pimp would have a pearl handled pistol.
 
The original grips were fully checkered walnut, with 28 lines +/- 1 between the screw holes. They are very hard to find. I tried myself recently, wiht no luck. The aftermarket ones available from places like Gun Parts Corp are similar, but they are coarser (something like 22 LPI).
 
Is it the government issue 1911A1 or a commercial Colt Government Model?

When did the GI pistol start using the ugly reddish brown plastic grips?
 
Brownells has

Colt walnut grips with medallions...I've never seen them, so I can't comment on their authenticity; but they are Colt wood grips.
 
Try Herretts. www.herrettstocks.com He is a custom maker and he works in walnut. He also makes plain checkered grips which will look pretty close to the originals if not exactly the same. And I'm sure he could put in the medallions for you too. Worth a look, I'd say. Good luck.
 
Is it the government issue 1911A1 or a commercial Colt Government Model?

If it is 1933 production then it has to be a commercial. Miltary M1911A1's were made in 1924, 1937, 1938, 1940-1945.


When did the GI pistol start using the ugly reddish brown plastic grips?

In mid-1941 at around serial number 725,000. The walnut grips were phased out by around 730,000.
 
Thanks dsk, you beat me to it.

FWIW, I got some of my background from www.coolgunsite.com, clicked on 1911 identification pages, then on grips/stocks. Also much info at www.sightm1911.com

BTW, there is a DSK posting at the gunandknife.com link listed above looking for pre-war grips. Is that the same dsk that posts here?
 
No, that one is actually my evil alter-ego. :D

Yes, I tried to find some pre-war grips too recently. No one even replied, so I guess that tells me they're a scarce commodity.
 
How about Ebay? Just do a search on 1911 grips. There's usually a bunch of grips up for bid, with pictures of what you're buying. Just a thought.
 
FWIW, the Argentine Colt and "Sistema Colt" guns have wood grips of the type needed, but they are usually pretty well worn.

Jim
 
I tried e-bay, but I couldn't find anything that fit the bill. Thanks for the ideas, keep 'em coming. Are there any other online auction sites I should try? I've looked at a couple, but no luck in finding any 1911A1 grips.

I feel like I'm on the hunt for the holy grail. Toss in a quest for a 1941 Singer 1911A1 and I'll start sharpening my sword and polishing my armor. :)
 
I actually know where I might be able to get a Singer. The only fly in the ointment is that I don't have $30,000 to spend right now! :eek:
 
I found a source for original grips, but they don't sell the used grips over mail order. Any ideas? Here's the e-mail they sent back

++++++++

Subject: RE: 1930's Colt 1911A1 Grips
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 22:8:45 -0500
From: armscorpmd@earthlink.net
To: <torgerod@ortonville.k12.mn.us>

Dear Mr. Torgeson:

We do have grips for the 1911A1. However because they are used, we do not sell them thru mail order.

We are sorry we cannot assist you at this time.

Regards,
C. Wong
Web Site: www.armscorpusa.com
Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday, from 10am to 4pm EST
Phone Number: (410) 247-6200
*Note: All prices quoted are valid for 48 hours and does not include
H.I.S. Please refer to our web site for H.I.S. charges.
 
Ask them how bad they really want to sell them. If they aren't willing to take a money order and then mail them to you, then they must be in no hurry to sell stuff.
 
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