Joined
·
15,657 Posts
First, I think they are very cool. Normally I don't like embellished / enhanced-appearance stuff but those grips are pretty dang sweet. I would like to have those on a 1911 of the Mexico-Approved caliber of .38 Super.
Anyhow, on "fakeness" I've been in plenty of tourist shops in Tijuana loaded with questionable if not outright fake "silver" items and jewelry. .925 markings, Sterling stamps (sometimes misspelled Stirling) and once even a watch bracelet marked: 24K Silver. Whatever that's supposed to mean.
So on these grips some testing is needed. Pawnbrokers are very experienced at this. If you buy a small item there they will probably test for free.
For home purposes the easiest test is to rub a small area with your thumb then smell it. It should have the scent of silver. That's a good start. You'll know that it's at least silver plated. Also, they look tarnished on the backside ------- good! Tarnish is silver's reaction to light.
Anyhow, on "fakeness" I've been in plenty of tourist shops in Tijuana loaded with questionable if not outright fake "silver" items and jewelry. .925 markings, Sterling stamps (sometimes misspelled Stirling) and once even a watch bracelet marked: 24K Silver. Whatever that's supposed to mean.
So on these grips some testing is needed. Pawnbrokers are very experienced at this. If you buy a small item there they will probably test for free.
For home purposes the easiest test is to rub a small area with your thumb then smell it. It should have the scent of silver. That's a good start. You'll know that it's at least silver plated. Also, they look tarnished on the backside ------- good! Tarnish is silver's reaction to light.
