Behlert PPC

[AJ]

I have a PPC revolver that has been customized by A.F.Behlert. How common are these? The double action is as smooth as silk and the accuracy is wonderful for an old guy with glasses. The finish is well worn, but I believe it is from use not abuse. His work seems to be excellent. I see references to Clark and a few others, but not much to nothing on A.F.Behlert.

 

[A1Oni]

I have a PPC revolver that has been customized by A.F.Behlert. How common are these? The double action is as smooth as silk and the accuracy is wonderful for an old guy with glasses. The finish is well worn, but I believe it is from use not abuse. His work seems to be excellent. I see references to Clark and a few others, but not much to nothing on A.F.Behlert.
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Behlert was more known for working on custom automatics, but that is one hell of a revolver if ya ask me.
here is an example of a ppk he worked on that I found on instagram.

 

[Protocall_Design]

The monetary value would probably be in the $400 to $500 range, based on condition. The value as a finely tuned shooting tool is a lot more.

 

[AJ]

The monetary value would probably be in the $400 to $500 range, based on condition. The value as a finely tuned shooting tool is a lot more.

Not thinking of selling it. Was just curious about Behlert and his reputation is all. Never hear or read much on him. The revolvers beauty is in it's mechanics and accuracy.

 

[David Sinko]

That's an earlier Behlert revolver from when he was in NJ. Due to the unsanitary politics of NJ he later moved his shop to Pipersville, PA. I grew up not far from Pipersville and Austin actually did some gunsmithing for me. I never shot PPC but I have a few revolvers that received attention from his shop. I remember Austin personally did an action job on my 25-7 while I waited. Austin did extensive work on the 1911 pistol and his work was always first rate. He also made a chopped Hi Power that was one of a kind. I still have an old catalog that details his work and pricing. I will investigate his PPC conversion and pricing.

 

[offrdmania]

This was my Behlert PPC gun

 

[AJ]

This was my Behlert PPC gun

Yours is much prettier than mine. Mine seems to have an aftermarket barrel on it with no manufacturers name on it. Something that Behlert made? Or modified from someone elses product?

 

[offrdmania]

Yours is much prettier than mine. Mine seems to have an aftermarket barrel on it with no manufacturers name on it. Something that Behlert made? Or modified from someone elses product?

Since he stamped the barrel, he installed it. The barrel may have been made by him or it was a request by the owner. It could have been for additional muzzle weight.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I was at both stores in N.J. and PA.
He did work on a Colt Python I had, What a job on the action!
Plus a M39 and a few others.

 

[AJ]

Since he stamped the barrel, he installed it. The barrel may have been made by him or it was a request by the owner. It could have been for additional muzzle weight.

The barrel does not look like any other that I have seen. Wonder if he milled it out of an existing barrel?

 

[offrdmania]

The barrel does not look like any other that I have seen. Wonder if he milled it out of an existing barrel?
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Possibly. The sides milled down flush with the Bomar sight rib

 

[AJ]

Possibly. The sides milled down flush with the Bomar sight rib

I just measured the barrel on the rounded sides. I measures 0.975".

 

[AJ]

As and aside. The S/N is K 280579. Any guesses as to it's date of manufacture?

 

[offrdmania]

As and aside. The S/N is K 280579. Any guesses as to it's date of manufacture?

I would guess early 1969

 

[Sevens]

I would guess more like the very end of 1959, like December.

When Behlert did the work would be much more difficult to pin down.

 

[AJ]

I would guess more like the very end of 1959, like December.

When Behlert did the work would be much more difficult to pin down.

Thanks,

Would think that the address might help to pin the timeframe for the work down.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Since this thread is about Austin, I thought you all might be interested in a little "Austin Anecdote". I've posted it before, but it's too good not to share again...

I can't vouch for the truthfulness of this story, but it is one of my favorites about Austin Behlert.

Austin was set-up behind the line at Camp Perry one year, doing some gunsmithing. A distraught competitor ran up to his tent and explained that he was due on the line shortly and he had just noticed that his front sight was bent.

Austin took the gun from him, examined it and confirmed that the sight was, indeed, bent. "Can you fix it?" inquired the owner, hopefully. Austin told him to pick-up the gun, grip it as he normally would, extend it out to a firing position and turn his head. The owner complied, at which point Austin picked-up a brass mallet from the bench and whacked the front sight, nearly knocking the gun out of the owner's hands.

The owner went ballistic, screaming, "What have you done?" to which Austin calmly replied, "Look down the sights," which the owner did. "Is it straight?" inquired Austin. After looking at the sights the incredulous owner said, "Yes, yes they are", to which Austin replied, "That'll be $15." The owner protests, "$15? That's highway robbery. All you did was hit it with a hammer." Austin looked at him and said, "It's only $5 for hitting it with a hammer, but $10 for knowing how hard."

Adios,

Pizza Bob

PS: I shot IPSC with Austin's son Frank back in the mid-80's. Austin's grandson's name is Colt - just another tidbit.

 

[LB001]

I visited Behlert at his NJ location, where he did an action job on my Python. He did a great job and I was/am very satisfied. Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, he did not sign his work which would have added value to the gun should I or my heirs ever sell it.

 

[Green Frog]

I spoke with him on the phone a couple of times and we spoke at length at an NRA show once (Philadelphia maybe?)
He was an all around gunsmith and inveterate developer of new innovations. He made a swing trigger for the Colt 1911, developed special sights for competition, and was working on a conversion to 32 of the Model 41. I've often wondered how that came out.
Right now the only Behlert item I have left is on e of his competition revolver sights, made as a direct replacementment for the standard S&W adjustables. Of course I had to put it on Project 616!

 

[Oil Field Trash]

I'd recommend getting any handgun built by Behlert into your inventory. Truly a master

 

[Lt.Donn]

Since this thread is about Austin, I thought you all might be interested in a little "Austin Anecdote". I've posted it before, but it's too good not to share again...

I can't vouch for the truthfulness of this story, but it is one of my favorites about Austin Behlert.

Austin was set-up behind the line at Camp Perry one year, doing some gunsmithing. A distraught competitor ran up to his tent and explained that he was due on the line shortly and he had just noticed that his front sight was bent.

Austin took the gun from him, examined it and confirmed that the sight was, indeed, bent. "Can you fix it?" inquired the owner, hopefully. Austin told him to pick-up the gun, grip it as he normally would, extend it out to a firing position and turn his head. The owner complied, at which point Austin picked-up a brass mallet from the bench and whacked the front sight, nearly knocking the gun out of the owner's hands.

The owner went ballistic, screaming, "What have you done?" to which Austin calmly replied, "Look down the sights," which the owner did. "Is it straight?" inquired Austin. After looking at the sights the incredulous owner said, "Yes, yes they are", to which Austin replied, "That'll be $15." The owner protests, "$15? That's highway robbery. All you did was hit it with a hammer." Austin looked at him and said, "It's only $5 for hitting it with a hammer, but $10 for knowing how hard."

Adios,

Pizza Bob

PS: I shot IPSC with Austin's son Frank back in the mid-80's. Austin's grandson's name is Colt - just another tidbit.

I definitely believe your account. There was a well-known Smith factory armorer named Jim Fish who is infamous for his skill full use of a lead babbit on wonky barrels.

 

[thefresh2o]

Maybe 15 years ago I bought the last of Austin's target rear sights from his son. Four K and a couple of N frame. All in the white. They've all now been blued and sit on a range of my revolvers.

 

[hunter0528]

I knew Austin and his son. We shot IPSC in the late 70's and early 80's . I still have 2 45's , 1 38 Super and 1 9x21 that he built. They still shoot better than I can.

 

[David Sinko]

According to my 1990 catalog an Ultimate PPC conversion cost $795 for the work and they would sell you a new Model 10 for $250. The back cover has a picture of what I presume to be such a revolver with all the lugs, ribs and wings that can be added to a barrel.

 

[AJ]

According to my 1990 catalog an Ultimate PPC conversion cost $795 for the work and they would sell you a new Model 10 for $250. The back cover has a picture of what I presume to be such a revolver with all the lugs, ribs and wings that can be added to a barrel.

Much fancier than mine............