Factory Grips?

[Boxhead]

I bought this when I was living in Calgary circa 2007 or so. The grips appear to be factory, are they?

 

[mike722]

Look to be early contoured factory walnut grips, yes..

 

[hittman]

Hmmm…..factory original on an OLD Model? I don’t know but will let others decide. I’m a tad skeptical.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I've never seen factory OM grips with that much beautiful grain before, but then I haven't seen 'em all.

 

[hittman]

Should a flattop have black plastic? Maybe that depends on serial number.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Yep, depends on serial number for "originality" considerations. Early guns came with black plastic, later ones with walnut. Of course, earlier ones could have been retrofitted with the later walnuts.

Dougan says the walnuts became "standard" in 1961.

Other materials such as stag and ivory were offered as accessories/retrofits.

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Maybe...but with that much figure, unlikely......UNLESS shipped to someone "Special"

 

[Johnnu2]

It might help to show the back-side of each grip......... There may be something there that signals some of our experts here. To me, they are much to nicely figured to be 'factory'; I've added the black-eagle medallions to several sets of grips I've owned (the back-side of the grip/medallion shows that they aren't factory on all that I've done).
J.

 

[rugerguy]

those are the grips that were available for the RSSE guns, I believe SIle ? had them made up for Ruger in Italy....and yes sculpted at the top ,rear like the 44 flatops, also the set back for the medallions was like that for early grips ,seen them on stags too, guess it depends who made them....they are NICE........

 

[G2]

Back in 2009, living in Phoenix AZ, a older gentleman put his Flattop up for sale with a no picture, but it did say it had stag grips, the price seemed good and he was easy to set up a meeting.
Long story short, got there, bought the gun and he handed me the box on the way out, and told me the Original Grips were inside.
Back home opened up to see the the Grips, thinking black hard rubber,,, nope wood, not quite as nice as Boxhead's, but close, the nicest set I own, and they were pristine.
Also in the box was the Manual & his purchase receipt showing the extra STAG grips. The Stags were not Ruger but still very nice.

 

[contender]

My first impression was that the medallions were set back a bit further than most. Then the highly figured wood also made me pause. Then,, Dan jogged my memory,, with the comment about the RSSE guns.
Yep,, highly possible to be factory. And as noted,, a look at the backside would also help.

 

[Boxhead]

I appreciate the replies. When I get back home in September I will remove the grips and see.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Should a flattop have black plastic? Maybe that depends on serial number.

I have an original Flat top, it has Walnut grips. Orig grips were varnished, not the oiled ones that came later.

 

[moparclan]

My dads 1957 .44 has the varnished walnut, not a fancy but still in great shape.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

My dads 1957 .44 has the varnished walnut, not a fancy but still in great shape.View attachment 3083

I agree. i think the walnut they used then was a better grade(IMHO) I like mine and have no intention of changing them.