Combining the best two suggestions, cloth tape with shellac. I'll probably be doing my bars up like this over the next few days. If you want some pics to get an idea of what It looks like, I'll find a camera to borrow.
if youre asking what it would originally have....im 97% on theyd be prewar wood grips....and GREAT score :!:
now if you ever need to get rid of those bars let me know ill take them :mrgreen: