New (to me) 19-3

[KenpoTex]

So back in July I was down in San Antonio for a family function. At one point I ended up talking to my great-aunt who is in her 80's. She informed me she, "many years ago," purchased a revolver after seeing one like it that belonged to one of her hired hands. After getting it, she didn't like it because it was "too powerful." She told me she wasn't sure what it was, other than that she thought it was a .38, but that she would like for me to have it. She said whenever she managed to find it, she'd give it to my mom to pass along to me. At the time, I figured it would be an old model 10 or some such (which would still be cool as kitten, since I like old Smiths)

I had honestly forgotten about it until a couple of weeks ago when my mom mentioned my aunt had dropped a couple of revolvers off with her. I made arrangements to have it sent to my LGS.

Imagine my surprise and delight when I went to the store and picked up an almost perfect 19-3. The bluing is in excellent shape with only slight surface wear around the sights and muzzle. There's not even a full drag-mark on the cylinder. The stocks are discolored and what little wear there is to the finish is the result of sitting in a holster on a shelf for 30+ years. The action is smooth as silk and the lock-up and fit are great...I'm stoked to shoot it.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/kenpotex/_MG_9521_zps32a76af3.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/kenpotex/_MG_9515_zps596a5789.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/kenpotex/_MG_9536_zps61042cae.jpg

Now I'm looking for a set of fancy stocks and I've pretty much decided I'm gonna have to spring for a nice exotic-leather holster.
I may just go with some nice wood stocks like Ahrends or some such...however, I've always been a fan of the look of ivory on a blued gun. Real ivory is out of my price range, so can anybody provide some guidance on the most realistic looking imitation out of the options available (realistic meaning it will actually yellow with age, or by staining it)?

[41magfan]

A few options:

http://www.collinscraftgrips.com/smith-and-wesson-grips.php?Q=Smith&D=Smith+and+Wesson+Grips+%28S%26W%29

http://www.boonetrading.com/SW-Simulated-Ivory-Grips.html

http://www.truivory.com/theproducts.htm ..... I've heard good things about these folks.

http://www.altamontco.com/experimental/products/pistol/smith_and_wesson/#Smith_and_Wesson_kframe.php

[KenpoTex]

Thanks, I've looked at all of those and, in fact, have probably narrowed it down to something from one of them. I should have been more clear with my question. I'm wondering if anyone has actually used any of the different offerings and can comment on them. It's tough to tell from a picture on the 'net how it's going to look in person.

Truivory seems to get a lot of good reviews just based on the google-fu I've done.

[41magfan]

Sorry about that, I haven't had any first hand experience with any of them.

If you like that ivory look, you might find grips made from various horn and bone materials to your liking. I've seen some giraffe bone, mammoth/mastodon and Dall Sheep horn grips that were quite appealing. The vendors for these materials are few and far between, though.

[KenpoTex]

Yeah, I've done some looking but there are some guys who use those materials who only make grips for certain stuff (e.g. 1911's, Ruger single-actions, etc.)...oh well, I'll keep looking. Thanks.

[Trooper224]

I've used Tru-Ivory for single action revolver grips and it has a nice look to it.

For wood grips you might want to give Grand Blue Grips a try.
http://grandblue-grips.com/

I have a couple of their styles on all my Smiths and like them. They're very affordable and I think they're superior to many others.

Sweet piece.

[KenpoTex]

Thanks, I saw a link to those you posted in another thread and was looking at them. That was the first I'd heard of them and I like the looks of their stuff.