Compound Ivory pistol grips

TLH · June 7, 1999, 10:41 PM

I got such a quick response with my first posting I thought I'd run another topic by ya'll.

I bought a set of "compound ivory" grips. At the gun show in Louisville KY this weekend a vendor mentioned giving the "compound ivory" grips an "aged" look with tea.

I hadn't bought the grips yet and like the dork I am I didn't ask him exactly HOW to do this.

The only thing I could think to do is soak the grips in a strong tea mixture. "Kinda" working.

Anyone know more about this. I have a old S&W Model 27 (3.5, blue) at the factory being re-finished. Going to be a wall hanger and I thought aged looking ivory would (magna type) would look pretty cool on it.

Bill Mitchell · June 8, 1999, 01:52 PM

TLH,

A lot of my cowboy shooting pards have also searched for a way to "age" artificial ivory grips. Some use tea,and they also score the surface with a razor knife to simulate the grain in real ivory. I've also heard of folks using leather dye,getting a couple of different colors and mixing them to achieve the desired result. From what I've seen,using tea doesn't really give the yellowish color of real aged ivory,but a sort of rust brown.

Bill

Harley Nolden · June 9, 1999, 06:42 AM

TLH
I have used coffee. Use the left over breakfast coffee, put it in a pan, put in the grips and boil for about 4-5 min. The heat will expand any pores on the grips and allow penetration. Grips of course need to be completely submerged.

After air drying, apply an oil finish. In a pinch, shoe polish will prvide some protection.

HJN

[This message has been edited by Harley Nolden (edited June 09, 1999).]

June 7, 1999, 10:41 PM	#1
TLH Member Join Date: June 6, 1999 Posts: 42	I got such a quick response with my first posting I thought I'd run another topic by ya'll. I bought a set of "compound ivory" grips. At the gun show in Louisville KY this weekend a vendor mentioned giving the "compound ivory" grips an "aged" look with tea. I hadn't bought the grips yet and like the dork I am I didn't ask him exactly HOW to do this. The only thing I could think to do is soak the grips in a strong tea mixture. "Kinda" working. Anyone know more about this. I have a old S&W Model 27 (3.5, blue) at the factory being re-finished. Going to be a wall hanger and I thought aged looking ivory would (magna type) would look pretty cool on it.

June 8, 1999, 01:52 PM	#2
Bill Mitchell Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Roswell,GA Posts: 433	TLH, A lot of my cowboy shooting pards have also searched for a way to "age" artificial ivory grips. Some use tea,and they also score the surface with a razor knife to simulate the grain in real ivory. I've also heard of folks using leather dye,getting a couple of different colors and mixing them to achieve the desired result. From what I've seen,using tea doesn't really give the yellowish color of real aged ivory,but a sort of rust brown. Bill

June 9, 1999, 06:42 AM	#3
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	TLH I have used coffee. Use the left over breakfast coffee, put it in a pan, put in the grips and boil for about 4-5 min. The heat will expand any pores on the grips and allow penetration. Grips of course need to be completely submerged. After air drying, apply an oil finish. In a pinch, shoe polish will prvide some protection. HJN [This message has been edited by Harley Nolden (edited June 09, 1999).]