Mother of Pearl Grips - Restore or not

[Johnm1]

This S&W 44 DA came to me with mother of pearl grips. They weigh a ton. I have full guns that weigh less. Heck, I have guns that weigh less than one of these grips.

They have a nice yellow patina and generally fit the condition of the gun. But one panel is damaged. I’d call it a delamination. See below pictures. There is a guy who can fix it and maintain the patina. Although S&W did sell these withMOP grips, I don’t think these are factory grips. Every S&W of that era with MOP grips I have seen in pictures have the S&W medallion and these don’t.

Now if there is a chance these are factory grips I might be willing to spend the money to restore them.

But my gut thinks it isn’t worth it if they are aftermarket.

What is your opinion?

 

[SterlingBullet]

If your repairman can fill and stabilize the delamination and create the right age patina and color I would do it. Your are right in that they were likely not factory grips. However, the original pearl luster appears to have been higher grade than what factory grips would have been. The original owner, or later owner, could have chosen the upgrade.

Maintaining such historical enhancements is not a bad thing. For example, if a pre-1899 revolver was engraved by a gunsmith after it left the factory, no one would attempt to fill in the engravings to restore the factory look.

Finally, if your guy can restore the aged look properly, that just adds to the history of the gun. I bet you that he’s a knife guy; some of them are great at ivory and pearl repairs.

 

[Johnm1]

Thanks Sterling. The guy is Don Furr and he specializes in repairing gun grips. Mostly known for his work on hard rubber grip repair on vintage Colt single actions. It'd be an easier decision if they were factory oroginal.

 

[Jim Watson]

If the gun were pristine, I would say to refinish the grips, but it is the same all over now and just looks right.

In 1901 pearl stocks were $2.50 for a $14.50 revolver like that.

 

[Johnm1]

Maintaining such historical enhancements is not a bad thing.

I agree with that thought. But I think Jim hit the nail on the head. They match the condition of the gun. I think I'm going to leave them as is. I may get a set of reproduction grips for shooting though. The MOP's are a bit slippery.

but it is the same all over now and just looks right.