Hello to all,
I have a question for my first post.
Did Colt originally offer checkered grips as an option on the SAA?
I have seen photos of an 1851 navy with old grips of chequered ivory, and I have seen an engraved 7 1/2" barrel SAA that was a showpiece for the centenial display, which originally was fitted with ivory grips, but sometime later had checkered wood grips fitted (that one is featured on the cover of "Peacemakers"). I have also seen some originals that had smooth grips that had been gone over to give a shallow and wide chequering effect.
I know checkered pistol grips is more of a European thing, in the 19th century, but did some Colts have them fitted new?