Wearing pearls

Auto5 · January 1, 2020, 09:27 AM

After a reporter asked General Patton about his "pearl handled pistols", he responded: "They're ivory. Only a pimp from a cheap New Orleans whorehouse would carry a pearl handled pistol." Or words to that effect.

Well...

From left to right:

FN 1910/55 engraved and wearing pearlite grips from Altamont.

Bauer stainless baby Browning copy, grips came standard.

Pre Model 42 Centennial Airweight sporting vintage Jay Scott pearl grips.

Show 'em!

buck460XVR · January 1, 2020, 11:41 AM

I myself see nuttin' much different between Pearl Grips and Ivory. Neither is my choice, but unlike Patton, I don't feel the need to dis the choice others to justify my choice. Nice looking brace of handguns.

lunger · January 1, 2020, 12:57 PM

Never been a fan, but have to say they do classy on your group.

Bill DeShivs · January 1, 2020, 01:33 PM

I have a bunch of them!
Patton was quite the ass. REAL mother of pearl is one of the most beautiful natural materials.
Even the fake pearl is very pretty.

Pahoo · January 1, 2020, 02:10 PM

Auto5
In looking for a question in your post, I'd guess that you are asking for opinions, on Pearl Grips.

Quote:

REAL mother of pearl is one of the most beautiful natural materials.
Even the fake pearl is very pretty.

It surely is !!!

Quote:

I myself see nuttin' much different between Pearl Grips and Ivory.

Big difference, physically and I work with both and Pearl is very fragile and hard to work with, as compared to Ivory or bone. ..

Be Safe !!!

LeverGunFan · January 1, 2020, 02:48 PM

Dare we ask which New Orleans establishment you work for?

Auto5 · January 1, 2020, 08:43 PM

LOL! Post your pictures!

jar · January 1, 2020, 08:58 PM

I do like your 1910 and your Centennial is certainly better dressed than mine are..

EIGHTYDUECE · January 1, 2020, 11:08 PM

I also like them on some handguns, especially stainless. These are faux pearl from Ajax I think.

Bill DeShivs · January 2, 2020, 03:26 AM

Here are a few.

dgludwig · January 2, 2020, 03:42 PM

I think context is everything when it comes to where (subjectively) pearl looks best on a handgun. For instance, there are several pistols pictured in this thread where I think pearl shows off and compliments the looks of the gun. But there are times and places when and where pearl grips would be a turnoff for me, to include, for instances, on most pistols being used in target competition (i.e., Bullseye matches); on most pistols issued to the military having matte or "parkerized" finishes and on most handguns being carried openly by the police (i.e., Glocks and their ilk). Just my wholly subjective opinion.

Carmady · January 3, 2020, 06:43 PM

Not mine.

T. O'Heir · January 4, 2020, 03:00 PM

"...feel the need to dis the choice others..." Georgie was a a rich kid with delusions. He also decided the M4 Sherman, AKA The Ronson, was good enough and that the Allies didn't need a tank that could tangle with the Panzer V's and VI's without bursting into flames after taking one hit. Despite there being one already designed and ready for production.
However, there's a huge difference between ivory and pearl. Ivory ages to a nice yellow. Pearl is kind of girly looking.

Carmady · January 5, 2020, 06:46 PM

Pimp gun or not, I like it.

labnoti · January 5, 2020, 07:16 PM

Patton understandably did not want his aesthetic to be confused, but an adulterer himself, he hardly had the moral standing to degrade pimps as inferior.

Ivory and pearl can both be aesthetically pleasing, but the ivory trade has always been morally abhorrent. Ivory can be morally sourced but not in vast quantities, and most grips today are made of substitutes. Pearl, actually mother of pearl or nacre is more suitable for inlay details or panels than it is for big handles like revolver stocks, but the aesthetic can also be imitated with resin.

For practical reasons, my guns have wood stocks. But I do like bone, antler (stag), and abalone knife scales.

AgedWarrior · January 6, 2020, 08:55 AM

Never considered pearl or ivory as useful or practical. My guns are tools, not decorations. Of course this is just how I see it; my opinion.

I rather value men like Patton too, though he was not perfect, he was not afraid to speak his mind to the living; even standing nose to nose. He was spot on with his remarks about the communists though violating official political butt kissing in that day.

It is pretty easy to badmouth someone who is dead, especially on the internet where you don’t have to look anyone in the eye.

Pahoo · January 6, 2020, 11:23 AM

Carmady
Not exactly sure where it is written but; "There is a time and place for everything" ….

Your reply is the time and what a beautiful example of the application of real Pearl. Only way this would look any better, would be under a Garter-Belt. …

Be Safe !!!

Bill DeShivs · January 6, 2020, 06:47 PM

Unfortunately, the grips on the little Renaissance Browning are not real pearl, they're plastic.
Real mother of pearl has a prismatic quality that reflects all the colors of the rainbow. Plastic, while very pretty, can not do that.

gwpercle · January 6, 2020, 07:02 PM

The first thing I did after buying my very first handgun , Ruger Blackhawk in 1970, was replace the walnut grips with Jay Scott Genuine Plastic Imitation White Pearl Grips...
I thought they looked sooooooo cool ... with my quick draw carved leather gunslinger holster and belt..
What was I thinking ... that outfit was so Hollywood cheesy and impractical it wasn't even funny . Glad I'm over that now .
Gary

dgludwig · January 6, 2020, 07:35 PM

Equally "cheesy" imo, are fake, plastic "stag" grips; the kind found on the revolvers of more than a few uniformed police officers patrolling the streets in the late fifties and early sixties. I thought they looked so cool back then-when I was a 16 year old kid.

Auto5 · January 6, 2020, 08:44 PM

Is it wrong for me to think about engraving my Bauer to look like that Baby Browning that Carmady posted?

For the record, none of the grips on my guns are real mother of pearl, and none of my "ivory" grips are real ivory.

Bill DeShivs · January 7, 2020, 12:55 AM

Auto 5- no it's not wrong, but can you do it?
Bauer actually offered a Renaissance-engraved pistol.
You could even order your own serial number.

zoo · January 9, 2020, 09:54 PM

I wouldn't take George Patton's views on pearl grips too seriously. I think occasionally Georgie sometimes over compensated for his having a high pitched frilly voice and took out his frustration on subordinates, pistol/revolver grips, and pimps for not somehow meeting up to his expectations.

Me? Pearl grips sure are pretty but seem too fragile. I'll settle for no less than Mammoth ivory! Ain't nobody going to be able to accuse me of poaching for the grips either considering they've been dead for a few thousand years!

Great General, by the way. Assuming you don't mind the kill em unarmed in their pajamas kind of perspective!

EIGHTYDUECE · January 9, 2020, 10:49 PM

My favorite George Patton quote:

"It's not your job to die for your country, it's your job to make the other dumb son-of-a-bitch die for his!"

zoo · January 9, 2020, 11:31 PM

Eiddy-do, you HAVE seen the movie haven't you? Lots of "more better" quotes!

And I'm not so certain I would give little georgie-lucifer all the credit on the "die for your country" quote.

It is sort of common sense that one would rather their opponent died for their cause rather than they dying for their own.

January 1, 2020, 01:33 PM	#4
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	I have a bunch of them! Patton was quite the ass. REAL mother of pearl is one of the most beautiful natural materials. Even the fake pearl is very pretty. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

January 1, 2020, 02:48 PM	#6
LeverGunFan Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 407	Dare we ask which New Orleans establishment you work for? __________________ *Support the Second Amendment Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition*

January 1, 2020, 08:43 PM	#7
Auto5 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 662	LOL! Post your pictures! __________________ At the young age of five, a bear told me that I was the only person who could prevent forest fires. Why I was chosen, I'll never know.

January 1, 2020, 08:58 PM	#8
jar Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2001 Location: Deep South Texas Posts: 1,668	I do like your 1910 and your Centennial is certainly better dressed than mine are.. __________________ To be vintage it's gotta be older than me!

January 1, 2020, 11:08 PM	#9
EIGHTYDUECE Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2001 Posts: 578	I also like them on some handguns, especially stainless. These are faux pearl from Ajax I think. __________________ "KNEES IN THE BREEZE" "Shop Smart, Shop S-Mart"- ASH

January 1, 2020, 11:41 AM	#2
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	I myself see nuttin' much different between Pearl Grips and Ivory. Neither is my choice, but unlike Patton, I don't feel the need to dis the choice others to justify my choice. Nice looking brace of handguns.

January 1, 2020, 12:57 PM	#3
lunger Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Posts: 443	Never been a fan, but have to say they do classy on your group.

January 2, 2020, 03:42 PM	#11
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	I think context is everything when it comes to where (subjectively) pearl looks best on a handgun. For instance, there are several pistols pictured in this thread where I think pearl shows off and compliments the looks of the gun. But there are times and places when and where pearl grips would be a turnoff for me, to include, for instances, on most pistols being used in target competition (i.e., Bullseye matches); on most pistols issued to the military having matte or "parkerized" finishes and on most handguns being carried openly by the police (i.e., Glocks and their ilk). Just my wholly subjective opinion. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

January 4, 2020, 03:00 PM	#13
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...feel the need to dis the choice others..." Georgie was a a rich kid with delusions. He also decided the M4 Sherman, AKA The Ronson, was good enough and that the Allies didn't need a tank that could tangle with the Panzer V's and VI's without bursting into flames after taking one hit. Despite there being one already designed and ready for production. However, there's a huge difference between ivory and pearl. Ivory ages to a nice yellow. Pearl is kind of girly looking. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

January 5, 2020, 07:16 PM	#15
labnoti Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2018 Posts: 252	Patton understandably did not want his aesthetic to be confused, but an adulterer himself, he hardly had the moral standing to degrade pimps as inferior. Ivory and pearl can both be aesthetically pleasing, but the ivory trade has always been morally abhorrent. Ivory can be morally sourced but not in vast quantities, and most grips today are made of substitutes. Pearl, actually mother of pearl or nacre is more suitable for inlay details or panels than it is for big handles like revolver stocks, but the aesthetic can also be imitated with resin. For practical reasons, my guns have wood stocks. But I do like bone, antler (stag), and abalone knife scales.

January 6, 2020, 08:55 AM	#16
AgedWarrior Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2019 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 210	Never considered pearl or ivory as useful or practical. My guns are tools, not decorations. Of course this is just how I see it; my opinion. I rather value men like Patton too, though he was not perfect, he was not afraid to speak his mind to the living; even standing nose to nose. He was spot on with his remarks about the communists though violating official political butt kissing in that day. It is pretty easy to badmouth someone who is dead, especially on the internet where you don’t have to look anyone in the eye.

January 6, 2020, 11:23 AM	#17
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Now that is Beautiful Carmady Not exactly sure where it is written but; "There is a time and place for everything" …. Your reply is the time and what a beautiful example of the application of real Pearl. Only way this would look any better, would be under a Garter-Belt. … Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

January 6, 2020, 06:47 PM	#18
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	Unfortunately, the grips on the little Renaissance Browning are not real pearl, they're plastic. Real mother of pearl has a prismatic quality that reflects all the colors of the rainbow. Plastic, while very pretty, can not do that. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

January 6, 2020, 07:02 PM	#19
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	The first thing I did after buying my very first handgun , Ruger Blackhawk in 1970, was replace the walnut grips with Jay Scott Genuine Plastic Imitation White Pearl Grips... I thought they looked sooooooo cool ... with my quick draw carved leather gunslinger holster and belt.. What was I thinking ... that outfit was so Hollywood cheesy and impractical it wasn't even funny . Glad I'm over that now . Gary

January 6, 2020, 07:35 PM	#20
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	Equally "cheesy" imo, are fake, plastic "stag" grips; the kind found on the revolvers of more than a few uniformed police officers patrolling the streets in the late fifties and early sixties. I thought they looked so cool back then-when I was a 16 year old kid. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

January 6, 2020, 08:44 PM	#21
Auto5 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 662	Is it wrong for me to think about engraving my Bauer to look like that Baby Browning that Carmady posted? For the record, none of the grips on my guns are real mother of pearl, and none of my "ivory" grips are real ivory. __________________ At the young age of five, a bear told me that I was the only person who could prevent forest fires. Why I was chosen, I'll never know.

January 7, 2020, 12:55 AM	#22
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	Auto 5- no it's not wrong, but can you do it? Bauer actually offered a Renaissance-engraved pistol. You could even order your own serial number. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

January 9, 2020, 09:54 PM	#23
zoo member Join Date: October 2, 2019 Posts: 414	I wouldn't take George Patton's views on pearl grips too seriously. I think occasionally Georgie sometimes over compensated for his having a high pitched frilly voice and took out his frustration on subordinates, pistol/revolver grips, and pimps for not somehow meeting up to his expectations. Me? Pearl grips sure are pretty but seem too fragile. I'll settle for no less than Mammoth ivory! Ain't nobody going to be able to accuse me of poaching for the grips either considering they've been dead for a few thousand years! Great General, by the way. Assuming you don't mind the kill em unarmed in their pajamas kind of perspective!

January 9, 2020, 10:49 PM	#24
EIGHTYDUECE Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2001 Posts: 578	My favorite George Patton quote: "It's not your job to die for your country, it's your job to make the other dumb son-of-a-bitch die for his!" __________________ "KNEES IN THE BREEZE" "Shop Smart, Shop S-Mart"- ASH

January 9, 2020, 11:31 PM	#25
zoo member Join Date: October 2, 2019 Posts: 414	Eiddy-do, you HAVE seen the movie haven't you? Lots of "more better" quotes! And I'm not so certain I would give little georgie-lucifer all the credit on the "die for your country" quote. It is sort of common sense that one would rather their opponent died for their cause rather than they dying for their own. Last edited by zoo; January 9, 2020 at 11:37 PM.