Original Carved Ivory Grips for Revolver

This is an interesting pair of ivory grips with carvings on each panel of a nude woman. The previous owner stated that he found the pair at a show a few years back. He liked them but had no idea what kind of gun they came from. It took him quite a bit of research but he found the answer in an older Butterfield and Butterfield auction catalog. There they were in a photograph attached to a very unusual pinfire LeMat revolver. The gun, possibly a prototype, was finished in the white and chambered ten rounds of .45 square-shaped pinfire ammunition over a centrally mounted 10-12 gauge shotgun bore. According to the auction, the gun, which is unmarked, was originally on display at the Stagecoach Museum Collection in Savage, MN. It's pictured in at least two books and two publications including The Stage Coach Museum Collection by Ray Saign, 1978, pg. 37. See additional references in photo of the B&B auction ad. There is no question these are the exact grips that were on that gun (see photo). Why someone had them removed is anyone's guess...perhaps they were a bit too "racy" for the buyer. The previous owner noted this gun with these grips sold for $24,150 at B&B back in 1998.

That said, these grips are in fine condition. They are fairly old as the ivory has turned mostly to a soft yellow. A name is lightly carved on the inside of the left panel. Looks like "F. Pince". I have not found anything about Pince but the previous owner mentioned he was a well-known ivory carver. Interesting grips and not sure what they could be used to fit...perhaps a replica of a LeMat...or they could be modified to fit another gun or perhaps a Bowie knife...or just enjoyed as a piece of artwork. Dimensions are 4-1/2" from base to top edge. 1-3/4" wide at base. Width across top edge: 1-1/16". L-R: 2-1/8". Max diagonal: 4-3/4".

Item# 6002

$1,495