Giles 45 Shop Colt 1911 Old School Custom

tt66 · #1 10-04-2021, 10:10 PM

I didn't want to hijack the other Custom 1911 thread since it is geared for new production 1911's.

This is for old school .45's. Please post what you got.

This one is from Giles 45 Shop, Odessa FL. It is built on an early 70's Colt Government Model. Giles rib with wagon wheel rear sight with an extended front sight. Stippled front and rear grip frame. From what I have read, Mr Giles would add pins (corrected) inside the slide to assist with barrel lockup, anywhere from 1 to 3 welds. This one has one, on the left inside the slide. Lock up is still extremely tight after 50yrs. The slide is ball bearing smooth, and I really like the short trigger.

I loaded 200 gr LSWC over 3.5gr of Bullseye powder and it shot POA right off the bat. Super sweet and lots of fun.

I know it isn't holster friendly but it sure is sweet :-)

Please post your old school .45's

Tim

6string · #2 10-05-2021, 05:24 AM

Very nice Giles Extended Heavy Slide 45!!
Your load is exactly the right load for this particular model.

Do you have the original test target?
John had a 50 yd underground test tunnel under his shop where he would test each gun from a machine rest.
From what I've seen, he seems to have always fired a 5 shot group. 1.25" to 1.5" was the norm. Some were a bit less, some just a bit more. Usually, the four best shots would be 5/8" to 3/4" in one hole. Never saw one over 1.75" for 5 shots.
He always included the load data. Often, he would use a cast bullet handload.

I have never seen a Giles with the Colt collet style bushing. The ones I have seen had NM bushings. But, yours appears to be a later build, so maybe he tried new things?

What appears to be a weld inside the frame is actually a pin fitted to a drilled hole in the slide. If you look very carefully at the outside left of the slide, you will likely see the faintest evidence of this. Yes, John Giles was an incredible craftsman!

John also had a special technique for hardening the sear and hammer to help retain his finely adjusted trigger pull.
There are no aftermarket parts on his guns. He either fabricated new parts himself (like the sights) or he reworked Colt parts one way or another.

Attached are a few pages from one of his brochures.
One of the take-aways from the price list is that the cost of the work was a good bit more than the base cost of the gun. That is, using for example your .45, the cost of a complete gun was $280, while the cost of the work alone on a customer's gun was $165.

Glad you shoot yours!

Greyman50 · #3 10-05-2021, 06:51 AM

Very nice, heard of him but do not recall ever seeing one.

Ruger 1,3 · #4 10-05-2021, 07:16 AM

Very nice!

4barrel · #5 10-05-2021, 07:45 AM

My best target 45 is a 70 series Fred Kart with a Bo Mar tuner rib I bought from Kittery Sporting Goods before they knew what it was. I have 3 Kart guns.

Old_Cop · #6 10-05-2021, 07:54 AM

State of the art, 1978.

824tsv · #7 10-05-2021, 08:18 AM

This is a "Long Heavy Slide .45" built in August 1978 on a Colt Government Model.

4barrel · #8 10-05-2021, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 824tsv

This is a "Long Heavy Slide .45" built in August 1978 on a Colt Government Model.

That looks like new. What is your favorite load? I use 4.5 BE with an H&G 68 flat base 200gr.

stu1ritter · #9 10-05-2021, 09:44 AM

When I was the armorer for the 1st Cav. Div. pistol team in 1959 we had a mixed bag of Giles, Clark, Chow and Dinan guns and when I shot on the 2nd Army team, same mix. I think the military AMU's ordered large quantities. My bullseye gun was built by Mike Curtis just as he left the Marine AMU to start his civilian career. The 50 yard test target measures 1 and 3/8 x 1 and 3/16th including a flyer out of the group. The 9 shot group is just at 1". The gun has one of the finest glass rod break triggers I have ever shot. I took the photo right after a match so it is covered in bullseye powder residue and is sopping wet.

Stu
Giles 45 Shop Colt 1911 Old School Custom-1911-curtis-optic-right-jpg

Giles 45 Shop Colt 1911 Old School Custom-1911-curtis-optic-right-jpg

824tsv · #10 10-05-2021, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4barrel

That looks like new. What is your favorite load? I use 4.5 BE with an H&G 68 flat base 200gr.

I found this one about 5 yrs ago. You don't see these (or any other Bullseye pistols for that matter) very often up here. I don't shoot this one a lot, but I've found that 4.2g of Winchester WST under a 200g (.452) LSWC works pretty well.

824tsv · #11 10-05-2021, 10:04 AM

Did Mike Curtis purchase the gunsmithing part of the estate of Richard Shockey?

SS336 · #12 10-05-2021, 10:04 AM

tt66, that’s a treasure. As is all the other bullseye 1911 pistols on display here. Very nice
Finding one in nice shape is hard. In the grand scheme of things there were not a lot made. Most that I have seen have been used pretty hard. Most are still very accurate though.

4barrel · #13 10-05-2021, 10:20 AM

Here is another bad photo but I don't know who did it. All the parts have #s and have the original 70 series parts other than the barrel bushing but the bushing has the same # as the other parts. I think someone took a new gun and worked it over. The Stippling is nice so I think a pro job.

Eddietruett · #14 10-05-2021, 10:24 AM

This is a Custom 1911 built in 1960 by Thelbert Almond for C.P.O. Don Hamilton who was Camp Perry National Champion in 66, 67 and 69. Don had the highest score ever shot 2668/2700 which I understand still stands today. Also shown is the 22 Conversion also custom built by Thelbert using a Colt Ace Conversion. The gun still shoots unbelievably accurate.

Eddietruett · #15 10-05-2021, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4barrel

That looks like new. What is your favorite load? I use 4.5 BE with an H&G 68 flat base 200gr.

Try 3.2-3.6 BE. I was turned on to the lighter loads by an old time Bullseye shooter. With the 200gr SWC (I use coated most of the time). I favor the 3.2 load, but you may need to bump it a little depending on spring weight. Super fun to shoot and just as accurate as the hotter loads

M29since14 · #16 10-05-2021, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4barrel

Here is another bad photo but I don't know who did it. All the parts have #s and have the original 70 series parts other than the barrel bushing. The Stippling is nice so I think a pro job.

Is that a Jim Clark gun? He used a distinctive stippling. I think he called it “Sharktooth,” or something like that. A friend had one of his guns that he ordered and was not aware of the Sharktooth thing. He didn’t like it and wanted to sell the gun. I shot it and loved the gun, but didn’t have the money to buy it. I think even back then he had $1200 in the gun and accuracy work. The special type of stippling was not the most attractive thing I’d ever seen, but it sure worked.

Hill536 · #17 10-05-2021, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6string

Very nice Giles Extended Heavy Slide 45!!
Your load is exactly the right load for this particular model.

Do you have the original test target?
John had a 50 yd underground test tunnel under his shop where he would test each gun from a machine rest.
From what I've seen, he seems to have always fired a 5 shot group. 1.25" to 1.5" was the norm. Some were a bit less, some just a bit more. Usually, the four best shots would be 5/8" to 3/4" in one hole. Never saw one over 1.75" for 5 shots.
He always included the load data. Often, he would use a cast bullet handload.

I have never seen a Giles with the Colt collet style bushing. The ones have have seen had NM bushings. But, yours appears to be a later build, so maybe he tried new things?

What appears to be a weld inside the frame is actually a pin fitted to a drilled hole in the slide. If you look very carefully at the outside left of the slide, you will likely see the faintest evidence of this. Yes, John Giles was an incredible craftsman!

John also had a special technique for hardening the sear and hammer to help retain his finely adjusted trigger pull.
There are no aftermarket parts on his guns. He either fabricated new parts himself (like the sights) or he reworked Colt parts one way or another.

Attached are a few pages from one of his brochures.
One of the take-aways from the price list is that the cost of the work was a good bit more than the base cost of the gun. That is, using for example your .45, the cost of a complete gun was $280, while the cost of the work alone on a customer's gun was $165.

Glad you shoot yours!

John Giles was a special man, a tool and die maker by trade who worked for the US Navy.

His shop in Odessa had a 50 yard cinder block tunnel from which he ransom rest tested his builds. His standard of accuracy was set to 1 3/8” at 50 yards. Sometimes guns would shoot to under an inch. He built Colt made 1911s, those were ball and WC guns and converted 38S to Special. High Standard and his slab sided BE pistol was thought to be the fore-runner of the Victor and he loved Ruger Mk 1s.

His trade mark and only identifying mark was his sights both front and rear. The rear sight saw three variations mainly upgrading the design to reduce machining and to make them more sturdy. His first design had screw threads that would make a Jewler cringe. Off course his rib and extended rib were the first of their kind and copied by others but not as good.

Collet bushings?? Uh uh! I have many many dozen in my bin that came from him. (I don’t know what to do with them either.) He hand fitted the barrel to the slide and the slide to the frame via jig. He hand fitted each barrel bushing and SCRAPPED the collets. He put two weld points in the slide to ensure side to side lockup and relied on the link and lugs for the vertical.

Each gun was delivered with his brochure and his signed test target.

His sears had a carbide strip welded at the contact surface making it crisp yet giving it somewhat of a roll as is now favored by Brian Zins with guns built by K C Crawford. He turned his own screws and all pins, and link were oversized and milled to the pistol. He had as many as six machinists in the shop. He oversaw everything.

He built guns for Perry competitors, most notably National Champion Joe Benner, they became good friends. He used an H&G molds and used 3.5 - 3.8 BE for either a 185 gr or 200 gr cast bullets. There were 25yd and 50 yard loads. Ammo was loaded by Jack Maszk. Giles Benner and Maszk were an unbeatable trio.

824tsv · #18 10-05-2021, 11:41 AM

Eddietruett,
I would enjoy seeing some more pic's of the .22 Conversion Unit if possible.

Bro. Dave · #19 10-05-2021, 12:09 PM

I have one of Jim Clark's Bullseye guns that has that shark tooth stippling. It still is sharp, too!

4barrel · #20 10-05-2021, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddietruett

Try 3.2-3.6 BE. I was turned on to the lighter loads by an old time Bullseye shooter. With the 200gr SWC (I use coated most of the time). I favor the 3.2 load, but you may need to bump it a little depending on spring weight. Super fun to shoot and just as accurate as the hotter loads

Thanks but I have one that shoots that load.

4barrel · #21 10-05-2021, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M29since14

Is that a Jim Clark gun? He used a distinctive stippling. I think he called it “Sharktooth,” or something like that. A friend had one of his guns that he ordered and was not aware of the Sharktooth thing. He didn’t like it and wanted to sell the gun. I shot it and loved the gun, but didn’t have the money to buy it. I think even back then he had $1200 in the gun and accuracy work. The special type of stippling was not the most attractive thing I’d ever seen, but it sure worked.

It hasn't got a name.

4barrel · #22 10-05-2021, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 824tsv

Eddietruett,
I would enjoy seeing some more pic's of the .22 Conversion Unit if possible.

Here is a new one I bought years ago and never used. I found a complete Kart gun that shoots good enough I never tried it. I put it on a 45 frame to make sure it would function --Shot maybe 20 rounds through it and cleaned and put in the safe. The magazines have never been in a gun and I bought spare parts in case something broke,

Golddollar · #23 10-05-2021, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tt66

I didn't want to hijack the other Custom 1911 thread since it is geared for new production 1911's.

This is for old school .45's. Please post what you got.

This one is from Giles 45 Shop, Odessa FL. It is built on an early 70's Colt Government Model. Giles rib with wagon wheel rear sight with an extended front sight. Stippled front and rear grip frame. From what I have read, Mr Giles would add pins (corrected) inside the slide to assist with barrel lockup, anywhere from 1 to 3 welds. This one has one, on the left inside the slide. Lock up is still extremely tight after 50yrs. The slide is ball bearing smooth, and I really like the short trigger.

I have the older brother of your gun. Mine was made on a pre-Series 70 gun. It became the first of many John Giles guns that I have acquired. It would take me all week to take pictures of all the John Giles guns I have. I'm old enough to remember when he was in business and when I came across this gun for sale I jumped on it. The first Giles High Standard .22 that I got put 10 shots into 9/32 of an inch at 50 yards from a machine rest.

Thank you everybody for your information on John Giles. This has been a great education.

Eddietruett · #24 10-05-2021, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 824tsv

Eddietruett,
I would enjoy seeing some more pic's of the .22 Conversion Unit if possible.

Hopefully the pictures show enough detail. I’m sure you can see how the Colt slide was cut and stays fixed.

Eddietruett · #25 10-05-2021, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M29since14

Is that a Jim Clark gun? He used a distinctive stippling. I think he called it “Sharktooth,” or something like that. A friend had one of his guns that he ordered and was not aware of the Sharktooth thing. He didn’t like it and wanted to sell the gun. I shot it and loved the gun, but didn’t have the money to buy it. I think even back then he had $1200 in the gun and accuracy work. The special type of stippling was not the most attractive thing I’d ever seen, but it sure worked.

The Almond Gun I posted above has his style of shark’s tooth work. It does work. Feels uncomfortable just holding the gun but you don’t notice it when shooting. I’d hate for someone to rake it across my skin

6string · #26 10-05-2021, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddietruett

The Almond Gun I posted above has his style of shark’s tooth work. It does work. Feels uncomfortable just holding the gun but you don’t notice it when shooting. I’d hate for someone to rake it across my skin

It works well. Giles did the same sort of thing. Clark used a sharp punch held at an angle to raise a burr on the edge of the strike point, very much how you can make a "hand-stitched" woodworking rasp. Giles used a triangular punch and worked the frontstrap and mainspring housing. This option cost an extra $9.00!

PS: I really like Almond's custom rollmark for his shop.
Very Slick!

tndrfttom · #27 10-05-2021, 08:51 PM

It seemed like all the well-healed, "hard holder" bullseye shooters I shot with were about equally divided between Clark or Giles-built 45s. The .45 wad-gun with the extended front sight that I shot most was made by AMU pistolsmith Jack Best. My back-up gun/hardball gun was supposed to have been built by Jack Maple but I can't find anything on the gun to confirm this. The Clark Long Heavy Side came along at the tail-end of my bullseye career and didn't get shot much.

AJ · #28 10-05-2021, 10:05 PM

Have had a couple of custom built M1911's. Very well made, but no manufacturers marks on them. A shame that some very talented folks never marked their wares.

Eddietruett · #29 10-05-2021, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6string

It works well. Giles did the same sort of thing. Clark used a sharp punch held at an angle to raise a burr on the edge of the strike point, very much how you can make a "hand-stitched" woodworking rasp. Giles used a triangular punch and worked the frontstrap and mainspring housing. This option cost an extra $9.00!

PS: I really like Almond's custom rollmark for his shop.
Very Slick!

In person it looks like it might have been engraved at a jewelry store. We think this was a 1 off deal. It’s only on the conversion slide and was done when he presented the gun to my friend. We might never know unless another one pops up somewhere

Rock185 · #30 10-06-2021, 03:14 PM

I have a Government model accurized by Clark back in the '60s. I found it at a gun show years later. About 20 years ago, I sent it back to Clark for the tune-up they offer and some other work. Clark returned it with a new 10-shot at 50 yards test target of just over 2". Doesn't have that Tiger Tooth stippling, thank goodness

Hill536 · #31 10-06-2021, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6string

It works well. Giles did the same sort of thing. Clark used a sharp punch held at an angle to raise a burr on the edge of the strike point, very much how you can make a "hand-stitched" woodworking rasp. Giles used a triangular punch and worked the frontstrap and mainspring housing. This option cost an extra $9.00!

PS: I really like Almond's custom rollmark for his shop.
Very Slick!

A bit of trivia! John Giles’ son, John worked in his dads shop after school and did the stippling.

boatbum101 · #32 10-10-2021, 08:55 AM

Giles also crimped his cast loads ( 45acp ) to .465 . Hard to do unless you've got a Star press . To this day when load testing a wadgun I still start with 3.8 BE w/ HG68 @ 50 , 3.5 @ 25 .

AJ · #33 10-10-2021, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatbum101

Giles also crimped his cast loads ( 45acp ) to .465 . Hard to do unless you've got a Star press . To this day when load testing a wadgun I still start with 3.8 BE w/ HG68 @ 50 , 3.5 @ 25 .

I have one of those presses sitting in a closet.

BE Mike · #34 10-10-2021, 10:11 AM

My first custom bullseye pistol is this Clark Heavy Slide. Note the "slide guide" on the dustcover. Jim Clark Sr. worked on this one time at Camp Perry and took my dad and I to the function range to make sure it was working up to snuff.

I got my Distinguished Pistol Shot badge with this Clark Hardball Gun, shooting factory 230 gr. FMJ, .45 ACP ammo.

Hill536 · #35 10-10-2021, 10:21 AM

Here is a test target from 1975 with a typical Maszk loading. Slightly different from your specs. Maszk’s load was varied for use at the 25 yard and 50 yard by the amount of BE without rear sight adjustment. Wad and ball loads varied with bullet weights. This is a ball load for 50 yds.

Walking softly · #36 10-10-2021, 01:44 PM

My Dad talked about Giles as an old friend. He competed for decades with several of Giles guns. I’m glad others still know the Giles name and appreciate his craftsmanship.

The guns are still tight and shoot like new.

AJ · #37 10-10-2021, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill536

Here is a test target from 1975 with a typical Maszk loading. Slightly different from your specs. Maszk’s load was varied for use at the 25 yard and 50 yard by the amount of BE without rear sight adjustment. Wad and ball loads varied with bullet weights. This is a ball load for 50 yds.

Ken,

I just might have to try that.

AJ

Golddollar · #38 10-10-2021, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walking softly

My Dad talked about Giles as an old friend. He competed for decades with several of Giles guns. I’m glad others still know the Giles name and appreciate his craftsmanship.

The guns are still tight and shoot like new.

I was lucky enough to recognize his name as one of the top pistolsmiths when I started getting serious about bullseye shooting back in the 1990s. I forget what I paid for my first Giles gun, but I figured you pay for quality and I needed all the help I could get. We had a base for a Ransome Rest at my club and I got to see what the gun could really do.

BE Mike · #39 10-11-2021, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill536

Here is a test target from 1975 with a typical Maszk loading. Slightly different from your specs. Maszk’s load was varied for use at the 25 yard and 50 yard by the amount of BE without rear sight adjustment. Wad and ball loads varied with bullet weights. This is a ball load for 50 yds.

This brought back a lot of memories from the 70's when I would go to Maszk's Workshop in Bunnell, FL and drool all over the custom and hard to find guns he had in the cases.

boatbum101 · #40 10-11-2021, 12:35 PM

Many shoot 4.2 BE with a hardcast HG68 for long line , lighter is more accurate but gotta be a " hard holder " . One of mine loves 3.6 VVN310 w/ Zero 200SWC @ 50 , but lets me know quick when I aint doin' my part . .463 crimp on Maszk's load , try that on a Dillon !!

Modified · #41 10-11-2021, 03:00 PM

I don't have a Giles 1911, but I do have a Woodsman he did stuff to. Both he and A.E. Berdon tuned it up and modified it from what I can ID on the modifications. Also the guy I bought it from said it was his dad's Camp Perry competition pistol.

As to custom 1911s I have the two, both D.W. King jobs:

Tuned up and wearing upgraded sights. Old Commercial from 1915.

This one was Elmer Keith's. King sights, and just...stuff done to it. I think anyone who wanted to upgrade it for free had at it over the years. I can't imagine how many rounds he put through it.

Hill536 · #42 10-11-2021, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modified

I don't have a Giles 1911, but I do have a Woodsman he did stuff to. Both he and A.E. Berdon tuned it up and modified it from what I can ID on the modifications. Also the guy I bought it from said it was his dad's Camp Perry competition pistol.

As to custom 1911s I have the two, both D.W. King jobs:

Tuned up and wearing upgraded sights. Old Commercial from 1915.

This one was Elmer Keith's. King sights, and just...stuff done to it. I think anyone who wanted to upgrade it for free had at it over the years. I can't imagine how many rounds he put through it.

AE Berdan was from Lakeland, Florida - the town I live in and I never met him. I did meet his apprentice a few years ago who has since passed as he was in his 90’s. I bought a bunch of barrels from him. For the life of me I can’t recall his name. We spent an afternoon talking and he told me Berdan invented the “mousetrap” used in accurizing 1911’s and the apprentice went into great detail how King Gunworks stole it from him.

I have a S&W registered magnum that was shipped to the Lakeland Police Dept. thought to be re-worked by Berdan. It’s buttery smooth double action is among the best I’ve fired.

Man this is a small world!

vp146b4 · #43 10-16-2021, 10:51 AM

Here are my two Giles 1911's. One a 45, and the other a 38 special. Luckily, I have two test targets, for the 45. The one is a 50 yd group with a machine rest. The second one is a 25 yd group, from a "hand rest only" he said and with bifocals he jests. They are amazing to shoot, as they both feel identical in my hand, and the triggers are the same too.

Golddollar · #44 10-17-2021, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vp146b4

Here are my two Giles 1911's. One a 45, and the other a 38 special. Luckily, I have two test targets, for the 45. The one is a 50 yd group with a machine rest. The second one is a 25 yd group, from a "hand rest only" he said and with bifocals he jests. They are amazing to shoot, as they both feel identical in my hand, and the triggers are the same too.

Amazing, simply amazing!

BE Mike · #45 10-17-2021, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vp146b4

Here are my two Giles 1911's. One a 45, and the other a 38 special. Luckily, I have two test targets, for the 45. The one is a 50 yd group with a machine rest. The second one is a 25 yd group, from a "hand rest only" he said and with bifocals he jests. They are amazing to shoot, as they both feel identical in my hand, and the triggers are the same too.

How refreshing to see these groups. It seems like nowadays people just brag on the internet about their 10 yard groups, which is laughable to me.

AJ · #46 10-17-2021, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BE Mike

How refreshing to see these groups. It seems like nowadays people just brag on the internet about their 10 yard groups, which is laughable to me.

35-40 years ago could do that on a good day at 25 yards. Nowadays at 15 yards I can usually keep them in the 10 ring. Hate getting old. Also found that the shooting sessions are getting shorter due to eye strain and muscle fatigue. Again hate getting old!

bullseyeman · #47 11-08-2021, 10:57 PM

Just purchased this week Giles 3 gun set: 1911 45, 1911 38 super, and High Standard Supermatic Trophy. Question:
Can I safely shoot modern 38 super +P in the 1968 Colt 1911 Giles?

6string · #48 11-09-2021, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullseyeman

Just purchased this week Giles 3 gun set: 1911 45, 1911 38 super, and High Standard Supermatic Trophy. Question:
Can I safely shoot modern 38 super +P in the 1968 Colt 1911 Giles?

Very wise of you to ask!!
You better look at that "38 Super" very carefully!
Every single Giles "38 Super" I have seen was a conversion to 38 Special, wadcutter target loads only!.
If so, the answer to your question is "NO!".
38 Super ammo could damage or possibly destroy the gun, and may cause a serious injury!
While Jim Clark used a ramped barrel fairly early on in his 38 conversions, Giles did not (that I am aware of). He converted the existing 38 Super barrel, which leaves part of the case at the bottom rear of the chamber unsupported.
Giles did not re-stamp the barrels or slides on these conversions.
If a 38 Special case fits the chamber, it has been converted.

Check out attached photos.

Grayfox · #49 11-09-2021, 11:46 AM

I have a 1964 Clark Long Slide. Even after 57 years it locks up tight, has a trigger that has to be felt to believed and shoots a whole lot better than I can.

bullseyeman · #50 11-09-2021, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6string

Very wise of you to ask!!
You better look at that "38 Super" very carefully!
Every single Giles "38 Super" I have seen was a conversion to 38 Special, wadcutter target loads only!.
If so, the answer to your question is "NO!".
38 Super ammo could damage or possibly destroy the gun, and may cause a serious injury!
While Jim Clark used a ramped barrel fairly early on in his 38 conversions, Giles did not (that I am aware of). He converted the existing 38 Super barrel, which leaves part of the case at the bottom rear of the chamber unsupported.
Giles did not re-stamp the barrels or slides on these conversions.
If a 38 Special case fits the chamber, it has been converted.

Check out attached photos.

Haven't had a chance to try to chamber a 38 special, but colt mag is marked "38 super".