The revolver on display at the Museo de la Charrería is a remarkable collector's item. It is a .38 caliber revolver with a five-shot cylinder and top-opening mechanism. Its grips, made of genuine deer antler, stand out for their natural beauty and the absence of visible logos, which enhances its sobriety and elegance. This weapon is a testimony to the mastery and precision in the manufacture of firearms of the time.

The Eastern Arms Co. based in Meriden, Connecticut, was a prominent player in the U.S. gun industry during the period from 1905 to 1918. Renowned for the production of a wide variety of high quality revolvers, shotguns and rifles, this .38 caliber revolver with five-shot muzzle-action cylinder and deer antler grips is an outstanding example of their craftsmanship and technical expertise. This piece is a valuable remnant of the rich history of gun making in the United States and a tribute to the heritage of the Charreria.

Deer antler grips serve not only an aesthetic function, but also a practical one, and represent a material used before the popularization of Bakelite and plastics in the manufacture of grips. Their natural texture provides a firm and secure grip, even in adverse conditions, making them ideal for handling weapons. In addition, their strength and durability make them a highly valued material for this purpose. Each grip, with its unique patterns, brings a personalized touch to the weapon, reflecting the connection between functionality and handcrafted design in the gunmaking tradition, and showing a historical transition to more modern materials.

The bakeliteone of the first synthetic plastics, was widely used to manufacture firearm grips during the 20th century, especially between the 1920s and 1950s. This material was valued for its wear resistance, ability to be molded into various designs and textures, and its relatively low cost compared to natural materials such as wood, ivory or deer antler.

Bakelite offered important advantages such as greater uniformity in production and the possibility of incorporating details or logos directly into the mold. As a result, many gunsmithing companies adopted Bakelite for their grips before modern plastics displaced it in the mid-20th century.

However, Bakelite grips were more common in mass-produced weapons, while materials such as deer antler were still used for custom or luxury weapons.