Guns of that configuration, in 38 Super, as that on is chambered in, are popular in Mexico. Not sure why it would be correlated to New Orleans or to Pimps. Its very common to find polished 38 Supers with mother of pearl gips in the collections of 1911 owners too.
To me a gun is suposed to be a tool, not a piece of art work. I mean would you want a chrome, or gold knife?
Sure why not!
Tools can be art. As a matter of fact your choices in weapons that you own is mainly on how they look. So why should they not look good. Are these tools any less deadly than what you carry?
And I suppose you would argue that cars are only for transportation and how they look does not matter in what you drive...
I believe the reference to a New Orleans Street Pimp comes from a quote from Gen Patton about Pearl Grips...