Vanity Baby Chiefs

two-bit cowboy · #1 04-16-2018, 10:10 PM

Nearly two years ago ISCS Yoda posted this thread: It has arrived - Smith 64 'Airweight' Custom, Semi-Fitzed Snubby

It was my inspiration. TheShootest1894 agreed to bring my vision of a similar project to being, and I picked it up today. In the mean time Craig Spegel worked his magic on Macassar Ebony, and I got those grips last week.

Baby Chiefs 11920 had reportedly been the bug for a Montgomery, Ala., LEO. He, or somebody, carried it a lot and shot it a lot, too. It was in need of a tune-up so it became the focus of my project.

TheShootest 1894 bobbed the hammer and redid the case hardening on it and the trigger. He partially relieved the trigger guard, checkered the back strap, put a slight bevel on the cylinder's flutes, Cerekoted everything except the extractor rod and flat latch, which he had reblued, and etched my Chiefs stripes on the side plate.

Craig inset a $5 gold piece from 2000, the year I retired from the 'Force, into the right grip.

Thanks much to Yoda for the idea, and to TheShootest1894 and Craig for fantastic work they both did to make it happen.

Here's my new edc, and the last photo is it with its Baby boot(ies) along side a Model of 1953 Chiefs to show the difference in the grip handle lengths.

KalamazooKid · #2 04-16-2018, 10:24 PM

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing TBC!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TheShootist1894 · #3 04-16-2018, 10:25 PM

As the first time I am seeing it all together, the Spegals were the absolute right choice (when aren't they?)

Very much a pleasure to work with you on this project sir!

Happy I snagged these 'before' pics, it had lived a good life! glad it's been reborn

two-bit cowboy · #4 04-16-2018, 10:32 PM

Ah, thanks for posting those 'Shootist. Yours are far better than my original ones. Really shows the wear.

You did a fantastic job. I couldn't be happier.

Here's another before shot with its leather by another of our own: 05CarbonDRZ.

It takes a community to raise a Baby!

chiefdave · #5 04-17-2018, 08:41 AM

A fitting tribute to your years of service. Thank you.

handejector · #6 04-17-2018, 09:59 AM

That's cute as a BUG!
(see what I did there?

)

JSR III · #7 04-17-2018, 10:22 AM

I am normally not a fan of altering original S&W's but that one sure makes one reconsider. That is one beautiful, one of a kind, shootin iron.

Are the original stocks for sale????

two-bit cowboy · #8 04-17-2018, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSR III

Are the original stocks for sale????

The stocks on the Chiefs when I bought it weren't original -- they were in much nicer condition than the revolver! I've since picked up another "beater" Baby Chiefs and they now adorn it (it came with black synthetic grips for a later Chiefs -- too long -- so they went into the box of "almost" useless things).

ISCS Yoda · #9 04-17-2018, 11:28 AM

Ahhhhh..............nicely done, TBC, nicely done indeed. Shootist, you are to be congratulated again.

That backstrap checkering is soooooooooo gorgeous.

And you KNOW I love the military memento - I am delighted that you liked that idea.

Enjoy it!

Side note: I was in Federal court today. Pardon me while I close my office door and strap on my Shootist customized M64.

two-bit cowboy · #10 04-17-2018, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISCS Yoda

That backstrap checkering is soooooooooo gorgeous.

Thanks for all the nice thoughts.

I really wanted Craig to checker the grips, but I chose not to because I feared that would detract from 'Shootist's work on the back strap. The hand feel is simply amazing -- that checkering holds my palm perfectly so the smooth grips aren't a detriment.

DCWilson · #11 04-17-2018, 01:28 PM

Modifications usually make me cringe, but when they are part of a thoughtful renovation package -- as here -- I can appreciate the end product.

I invite you to consider whether a Big Dot front sight might be a good addition to your new EDC. I added one to both a 649 and a 296, and target acquisition felt much quicker after I did. You would need some barrel surgery to accommodate one. The pinned variety would need a slot in the rib, or the slipover form would need the ramp ground down to a stub to which the slight could be glued.

NavySCPO · #12 12-13-2019, 07:13 PM

I once had an original thought, but it died of loneliness...

Now the I have that out of the way, a big thank you to ISCS Yoda and Two-Bit Cowboy for the idea. While my 1970 Model 36 is far from complete, the grips are ready. I debated on waiting until it was completed to show off the finished project, but at my age who knows if I will even be around when it’s finally done. No one is promised tomorrow.

I took a bit of a different route with the grips, I just couldn’t get it out of my head how good that 1993 Gold Coin would look set in bone. Finally decided on giraffe bone, and a two tone S&W on the other side.

I think it was a good choice, but you be the judge.

two-bit cowboy · #13 12-18-2019, 05:23 PM

Howdy Chief!

Wow, those are stunning.

I like the coin on one side and the S&W medallion on the other. Nice touch.

Thanks for sharing.

mikerjf · #14 12-18-2019, 06:49 PM

Very nice work!

But LOL... I am reminded of the story about a GI who inlaid a nickel into his 1911's grip... "so it would be worth something!"

Obviously not the case here. Beautiful guns!

NavySCPO · #15 12-18-2019, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two-bit cowboy

Howdy Chief!

Wow, those are stunning.

I like the coin on one side and the S&W medallion on the other. Nice touch.

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Bob, just had to try them on, but she is now on the way to Ford’s for the refinish and engraving, probably be a while. We have been going back and forth on the designs. I sure hope the finished product looks as nice as it does in my mind.

two-bit cowboy · #16 12-21-2019, 03:14 PM

Looks great, Danny.

Can't wait to see the finished product!

Engine49guy · #17 12-27-2019, 04:30 PM

Very nice custom Chiefs,

Reminded me there are two bright blue half penny FS Baby chief barrels in my safe from back when I thought about customizing a J frame to commemorate my retirement several years ago...

NavySCPO · #18 05-22-2020, 11:47 AM

First off thanks so much to ISCSYoda and Two-Bit Cowboy for being generous enough to share their ideas. Mine wasn’t built as a nice Shooter like the other Senior Chief, more of a true vanity piece. After about a year of searching and planning, it finally arrived today.

The 1970 Chief, my enlistment year, with the 1993 Gold $5 Coin for my Retirement year like Two-Bit cowboy. I also decided I wanted bone grips, so MD Grips in Tennessee came through with the Giraffe Bone, Mike had to purchase a special size bit to make the coin fit, but came out great. I think the gold and bone look good together. Thought about doing something with the hammer, but decided to leave those case colored. Ford’s did the matt bluing on the frame, SCPO Fouled Anchor on the side and Navy years of service down the back strap. She’s in the presentation case now so I can enjoy it every day.

Thanks again guys for the great ideas, hope it does justice to your beautiful guns! I know my family and I will treasure it.

two-bit cowboy · #19 05-22-2020, 01:41 PM

VERY nice, Danny.

I'm flattered, and I again thank YODA for his inspiration, too. He's the one who started all this.

I agree, the coin on the bone is a great paring. Gorgeous!

Mine is on my hip as I write this!

Enjoy.

SFIDEC · #20 05-22-2020, 03:09 PM

Marvelous...Absolutely Marvelous!!!
Thanks for sharing.

RoyS · #21 05-22-2020, 03:12 PM

Very nice indeed.

The gold coin inlay is a cracking idea, well done.

Cheerio,

Roy

iskra · #22 05-22-2020, 03:41 PM

I do appreciate creativity and individuality. I'm a romantic, even the worn pieces have a certain warmth & character to my liking. That said, where a 'resuscitation' candidate or the like is altered, I can appreciate such morphing into about anything desired.
I commend if morphing a 'clunker' toward individualized work of art!
Thanks for the Thread and...
Best!
John

ISCS Yoda · #23 05-22-2020, 05:28 PM

Y'all are very welcome! I'd have to do a deep search on this Forum to find the member who inspired me to have this custom work done. I am very pleased that I inspired others and that you have such gorgeous guns.

As you might recollect, in April of 2018 I had a devastating house fire. The next day or the day after that, as we went looking for items to salvage (most of the guns were in my safe and survived) we were in my bedroom and I turned to my friend and said, "My custom Model 64 was on my night stand." We could see that my night stand got soaked and smoked but was still standing, albeit in many inches of soot. I then said, pointing to the thickly sooted floor, "That gun is right there, buried under the rubble; I know it is or the firemen would have seen it and given it to me like the other things that they gave to me".

So we began to dig. VOILA!!! I was correct. My buddy is super handy with guns, he actually took them all to his home to clean them up, and he did the same with this one. The stocks are darker than they were but the gun is as usable as it was before the fire and fit for every day carry.

I know y'all needed to know this since this thread was resurrected from

Quote:

04-16-2018, 09:10 PM

and the fire happened on 04-18-2018, 5:31 AM.

A lot can happen in two days!!!!!

NavySCPO · #24 05-23-2020, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISCS Yoda

Y'all are very welcome! I'd have to do a deep search on this Forum to find the member who inspired me to have this custom work done. I am very pleased that I inspired others and that you have such gorgeous guns.

As you might recollect, in April of 2018 I had a devastating house fire. The next day or the day after that, as we went looking for items to salvage (most of the guns were in my safe and survived) we were in my bedroom and I turned to my friend and said, "My custom Model 64 was on my night stand." We could see that my night stand got soaked and smoked but was still standing, albeit in many inches of soot. I then said, pointing to the thickly sooted floor, "That gun is right there, buried under the rubble; I know it is or the firemen would have seen it and given it to me like the other things that they gave to me".

So we began to dig. VOILA!!! I was correct. My buddy is super handy with guns, he actually took them all to his home to clean them up, and he did the same with this one. The stocks are darker than they were but the gun is as usable as it was before the fire and fit for every day carry.

I know y'all needed to know this since this thread was resurrected from and the fire happened on 04-18-2018, 5:31 AM.

A lot can happen in two days!!!!!

You better believe it...the world can change in two seconds! At 5:30 am, a sound sleeper may have suffered much worse than you did Senior, glad you are all safe and sound.

But your friend did a great job with that one, hardly looks like it was in a fire.

Now...Inquiring minds want to know, how did the safe work in the fire? Many of us spend a small fortune on Browning, Liberty or other safes. Likewise we’ve all seen pictures of the inside of those safes after a fire, and the damaged or ruined guns that were supposed to have been protected.

And BTW when I say ‘those’ safes with damage, I’m not referring to Browning or Liberty, just safes in general.