Oh, no need to "hot poke" the grips. They are sorta heavy and the look is unmistakable, especially since they are over 50 years old.
Ruger purchased Ivory grips from a couple of suppliers back in the early '53 to late '56/early '57 period.
Pistols and Revolvers states 610 pairs were ordered during that time.
Cost? Check out this advertisement I found in a circa '55 magazine....
Ruger also purchased stag grips from the "grip industry". As stated above the Ivorys were no longer ordered after early '57 and the Stags were phased out in '61/'62, IIRC.
flatgate
PS One more observation, re: your comment about the serial numbers being written on the boxes. Ruger ALWAYS writes the guns' serial number on the surface of the shipping sleeves. (We collectors usually call the shipping sleeves a
bookwrap or a
shipper.) The packaging certainly adds to the value of the whole package. :shock: