Just found some BBQ Grips for my Colt!!

Vanguard.45 · March 11, 2008, 03:01 PM

Here's a description from the advertisement:

"This pair of grips is for the Colt Model 1911 or 1911 A 1 pistol, or copies of that model by other manufacturers. The grips are made from coin silver with four two-color gold overlays. The combined weight of the two panels is about seven ounces. The silver panels are beautifully hand engraved with a very eye pleasing scroll pattern. There is a gold overlay on each panel depicting a Griffon, the mythical half eagle/half lion beast. Both overlays are also hand engraved and chased for detail. There is also a round, bright yellow gold device in the center of each panel about 3/4" in diameter upon which the initials "JHT" have been engraved. This engraving is relatively shallow and could be polished out and re-engraved if desired. These grips have nearly 100% engrving coverage on them and are of very high quality. They have been very finely finished with no sharp edges making them useable on a working gun without worry of cuts or injury from recoil to the shooter. The grips are believed to date from the 1930's or 40's period, but the exact background is unknown. No maker's marking appears."

I guess I'll be ready to either go out pimping or attending a few barbecues this summer!

Enjoy the pics!

Vanguard.45
(and yes, I will have to go to the jewelry shop and have MY initials engraved rather than the previous owner's)

mnw42 · March 11, 2008, 03:20 PM

Nice!

Kreyzhorse · March 11, 2008, 06:33 PM

Pimp on! I like them.

Playboypenguin · March 11, 2008, 06:35 PM

Man, those sure are something. I do not think I have ever seen more ornate grips.

oldbillthundercheif · March 11, 2008, 06:39 PM

Here's mine:

Vanguard.45 · March 11, 2008, 09:39 PM

As soon as they arrive, I'll throw them on the pistol and post a few pics!

Pimp out!

Vanguard.45

Sgt.Fathead · March 12, 2008, 12:21 AM

I had no idea what the heck you meant by BBQ grips! We can't carry here in NJ and real 'cue is hard to find, too. Enjoy them, can't wait to see the pics.

Grandpa Shooter · March 12, 2008, 01:19 AM

You are kidding, right?

Sgt.Fathead · March 12, 2008, 09:13 AM

Me? About what?!

Vanguard.45 · March 16, 2008, 12:55 AM

BLUEGRASS BOB on another forum posted the following about these grips:

"Some back ground:
Grips were made in 1981 for a young army Capitan in AZ by the name of John Turner, antique look at his request and his design. It is truly coin silver 90% franklin halves and silver dimes.--the grips fashioned and hand engraved. The gold is not overlay but inlay where the JHT is engraved and should have plenty of gold to polish out the JHT and re - engrave.

Pretty sure of those facts as I don't see two of those running around--the Griffin was to represent the fact his father lived through a Chopper crash in Vietnam. The Griffin is overlay. The gold is made from Mexican gold coins."

I am awaiting a reply from BLUEGRASS BOB to see what role he has played in the journey of these grips from Captain Turner's hands to mine.

Just thought the history was interesting! I'll post pics when they arrive!

Vanguard.45

Kreyzhorse · March 16, 2008, 07:34 AM

Cool history. Now get those grips, slap them on and post some pics! I can't wait to see more.

Vanguard.45 · March 16, 2008, 12:06 PM

Here's more from the guy who made them!

"First, yes I am a retired jeweler, I am in a wheelchair from a Tour of duty + in Vietnam. I did Live in AZ, There is a forte in Sierra Vista, I taught lapidary and jewelry fabrication , wax work and so forth--during the 3 years or so that we lived there, many requests came across the table. A lot to do with fancy grips and some gun work. Silver and gold coins--both Mexican and US were easy to come by in the pawn shops. This young fellow was sent to me by the man who was over the arts and craft center where I worked, being 100% disabled I was allowed to use the center but soon became a helper more than just a user. I most often sign my work but when we put the grips on his gun
the look on his face told me they would not come off and I did not force the issue. I did not know this young captain on a real close term but understand he was killed in Texas in a training copter crash about six months later--I just don't think their could be two of them--I was pretty new to hand engraving at the time and used it mostly to set stones but if you look at the engraving bottom front of the panels, you may be able to make out an abstract rj if it has not worn off--it will look like just a piece of the work.

I don't say a lot on most things like that, just too many tears to type through."

I'm speechless!

Vanguard.45

Vanguard.45 · March 20, 2008, 11:31 PM

I am amazed at the craftsmanship that went into these!

Pics attached.

Enjoy!

Vanguard.45

Kreyzhorse · March 21, 2008, 08:15 AM

Those look even better on. I thought they might be too flashy but they really seem to work with your Colt very well. Very nice looking gun.

Thanks for posting the follow up pics.

March 11, 2008, 06:33 PM	#3
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Pimp on! I like them. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

March 11, 2008, 09:39 PM	#6
Vanguard.45 Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2001 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 277	Thanks for the kind words! As soon as they arrive, I'll throw them on the pistol and post a few pics! Pimp out! Vanguard.45 __________________ "I came into this world with nothin', and I still got most of it."

March 12, 2008, 01:19 AM	#8
Grandpa Shooter Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2007 Posts: 140	You are kidding, right? __________________ Old enough to know better and way too old to care!

March 16, 2008, 12:55 AM	#10
Vanguard.45 Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2001 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 277	Just received some more info on the grips! BLUEGRASS BOB on another forum posted the following about these grips: "Some back ground: Grips were made in 1981 for a young army Capitan in AZ by the name of John Turner, antique look at his request and his design. It is truly coin silver 90% franklin halves and silver dimes.--the grips fashioned and hand engraved. The gold is not overlay but inlay where the JHT is engraved and should have plenty of gold to polish out the JHT and re - engrave. Pretty sure of those facts as I don't see two of those running around--the Griffin was to represent the fact his father lived through a Chopper crash in Vietnam. The Griffin is overlay. The gold is made from Mexican gold coins." I am awaiting a reply from BLUEGRASS BOB to see what role he has played in the journey of these grips from Captain Turner's hands to mine. Just thought the history was interesting! I'll post pics when they arrive! Vanguard.45 __________________ "I came into this world with nothin', and I still got most of it." Last edited by Vanguard.45; March 16, 2008 at 12:55 AM. Reason: punctuation error

March 16, 2008, 07:34 AM	#11
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Cool history. Now get those grips, slap them on and post some pics! I can't wait to see more. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

March 11, 2008, 03:20 PM	#2
mnw42 Senior Member Join Date: March 3, 2008 Location: Bucks Co., PA Posts: 210	Nice!

March 11, 2008, 06:35 PM	#4
Playboypenguin Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 11,515	Man, those sure are something. I do not think I have ever seen more ornate grips.

March 11, 2008, 06:39 PM	#5
oldbillthundercheif Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2006 Location: New Orleans Posts: 2,450	Here's mine:

March 12, 2008, 12:21 AM	#7
Sgt.Fathead Junior member Join Date: March 3, 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,637	I had no idea what the heck you meant by BBQ grips! We can't carry here in NJ and real 'cue is hard to find, too. Enjoy them, can't wait to see the pics.

March 12, 2008, 09:13 AM	#9
Sgt.Fathead Junior member Join Date: March 3, 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,637	Me? About what?!

March 16, 2008, 12:06 PM	#12
Vanguard.45 Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2001 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 277	More to the story! Here's more from the guy who made them! "First, yes I am a retired jeweler, I am in a wheelchair from a Tour of duty + in Vietnam. I did Live in AZ, There is a forte in Sierra Vista, I taught lapidary and jewelry fabrication , wax work and so forth--during the 3 years or so that we lived there, many requests came across the table. A lot to do with fancy grips and some gun work. Silver and gold coins--both Mexican and US were easy to come by in the pawn shops. This young fellow was sent to me by the man who was over the arts and craft center where I worked, being 100% disabled I was allowed to use the center but soon became a helper more than just a user. I most often sign my work but when we put the grips on his gun the look on his face told me they would not come off and I did not force the issue. I did not know this young captain on a real close term but understand he was killed in Texas in a training copter crash about six months later--I just don't think their could be two of them--I was pretty new to hand engraving at the time and used it mostly to set stones but if you look at the engraving bottom front of the panels, you may be able to make out an abstract rj if it has not worn off--it will look like just a piece of the work. I don't say a lot on most things like that, just too many tears to type through." I'm speechless! Vanguard.45 __________________ "I came into this world with nothin', and I still got most of it."

March 21, 2008, 08:15 AM	#14
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Those look even better on. I thought they might be too flashy but they really seem to work with your Colt very well. Very nice looking gun. Thanks for posting the follow up pics. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson