Combat custom revolvers

Another Magnaport Predator. Not old school though.

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tipoc
 
I acquired this 1917 Colt within the past year. It was owned by Dean Grennell's brother Ralph. The gun appears in two of Grennell's books from the early and late 1970's..."Book of the 45" and "Pistol and Revolver Digest."

In those books, it is stated that the custom work was done by John B Williams Gunsmithing in Fullerton California.

C&L
Thanks for posting those great pictures. That exact gun poluted my young mind with gun lust. I still have my copy of Pistol and Revolver Digest. I was about 12 when I got it. It's still a dream gun after all these years. Enjoy it.
 
I've got a real yen for tuned-up revolvers, and I've managed to acquire some nice ones over the years.

First one is a model 58 .41 Magnum that once belonged to a San Francisco PD officer who had the barrel chopped to 2.5 inches, roundbutted, hammer spur bobbed, trigger-guard thinned, and a beautiful action job done; then the whole thing was hard-chromed.

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Second one is a model 28-2 Highway Patrolman that had the barrel chopped to 2.5", frame round butted, and then it was converted from .357 to .44 Special.

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Far as I know fitzpatrick a colt exibition shooter is given the most credit for it. Supposedly its faster as your finger dont hit the guard in front. Personaly I dont buy it. But who am I?
 
Keith44special, your revolver is way "cool". I also like your Avatar, Frank Hamer is one of my personal Ranger Heroes.
 
Hi Joe. Saw your request for info on Matthews custom revolvers. I am a LEO in Downey CA and have known the Matthews family for the 20+ years I have been there. Unfortunately, Mr. Matthews died several years ago and his son kept the business going until about four years ago when they finally closed shop. I wasn't all that interested in revolvers until lately, even though I started my career with one, but did have the chance to see some of Matthews' work on those revolvers. They were real nice. His son never continued his dad's custom revolver work. I had only seen examples that Mr. Matthews had shown me. I just thought you might like to know what happened to the shop.
 
Originally posted by gunkook:
Hi Joe. Saw your request for info on Matthews custom revolvers. I am a LEO in Downey CA and have known the Matthews family for the 20+ years I have been there. Unfortunately, Mr. Matthews died several years ago and his son kept the business going until about four years ago when they finally closed shop. I wasn't all that interested in revolvers until lately, even though I started my career with one, but did have the chance to see some of Matthews' work on those revolvers. They were real nice. His son never continued his dad's custom revolver work. I had only seen examples that Mr. Matthews had shown me. I just thought you might like to know what happened to the shop.

Thanks, from "Me and Joe."

Do old Mathews modified revolver show up in the used market in the area? We've never found one for sale, even on the 'net.
 
gunkook, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your post. I have been searching for info on Matthews for a long time. Thanks again and best regards, Joe.
 
You are welcome Joe. You guys got my interest going on these Matthews modified guns now. I'm going to do some asking around. I haven't seen any come up for sale in the area. Matthews was the only real gun shop in Downey and when they closed, I'm not sure where their customer base went. If I find anything out I will post it here. Thanks, Jeff.
 
Here I have known the family for all these years and I still spell the last name wrong. I can never remember if it's one or two t's. I'm a slow learner.
 
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