Combat custom revolvers

[TxShooter]

Gonzaullas's 1911: http://www.sightm1911.com/1911pix/historic/Texas_Ranger_1911.jpg

Decker's National Matches: http://m1911.org/mod_famous.htm

A more modern one, a Colt formerly owned by Sgt. Matt Cawthon, Company F Waco: http://www.sightm1911.com/1911pix/historic/Texas_Ranger_Matt_Cawthon_1911.jpg


Decker's pair of National Matches look great. Gonzaullas's pistol is typical of a lot of Ranger-owned guns: just because you can engrave it, doesn't mean you should. His 1911 would've been a lot nicer if he'd left it plain, or picked a better engraver to perform the work.

FWIW, the two Ranger 1911s were originally featured on the defuct GunWeb online magazine in an article by Jerry Burke. If anyone saved a copy of it, I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know.

 

[Joe Kent]

James, to the best of my knowledge, Sheriff Decker's pair of pre-war National Match 1911's are considered by many to be the absolute best examples of the breed of engraved pre-war NM's. They are not consecutive serial numbers however. I believe that they were gifted to him.

 

[Joe Kent]

It would have been very interesting to have seen Lone Wolf's extensive collection. Quite simply in addition to being a Texas Ranger, he was quite a collector as well. According to the book about his life he had between 500 and 600 hundred guns in his collection. I also saw a Remington Model 8 rifle that had been modified by Peace Officer Equipment Company in St.Joe,Mo.that was supposedly his. It was at the Rock Island auction several auctions back. It had a Thompson 21 type forward grip attached and his small "brand" on every part of the rifle. It was with the Bill Powell estate that was being auctioned. I could not absolutely establish ownership or I would have bid. kwill1911 of our forum helped at that time and he felt it was original, but while I really wanted it I held back.

 

[MKT]

Law & Order, that is a nifty .44. Me likey.

 

[Joe Kent]

Law&Order, is the frame filler on your revolver welded or permently attached to the frame or is it attached like the old type grip adaptor?

 

[Allen-frame]

HE, where in Florida are you? I have a guy here in So. Fla that is good at such things.

E mail me and I will pass on his info.


Regards ,,,AL

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Mike they still look great, he does good work. My be alot of money but when you look at them the money fades to the way side. Thanks for the come back.

 

[Joe Kent]

Lawandorder, neat as all get out. Thanks for the quick reply. Best regards, Joe

 

[Joe Kent]

Anyone else familiar with the George Mathews' conversions of the revolvers?

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Now that's good lookin'.

 

[baird]

HE_OFFICER,

I say tinker away!!

 

[Joe Kent]

Tipoc, thanks for posting the photos of your revolver. extremely cool. Regards,Joe

 

[tipoc]

Thanks and happy new year!

tipoc

 

[baird]

Kwill1911,

Can you give any details on that first gun? It's beautiful.

 

[Catshooter]

Kwill1911,

Your photo of your 1917 is my wall paper. Got any other pics of it? Huh, huh, pretty please?


Cat

 

[Don K.]

tipoc, that is quite possibly the most beautiful revolver i have ever seen! Thanks to everyone involved in this thread. Where could a novice like myself learn more about these guns, as well as newer versions such as magna-pots etc.?
What a great book that would be, just customized combat revolvers!

 

[HE_OFFICER]

Originally posted by baird:
HE_OFFICER,

I say tinker away!!

I took her apart this week and administered a through degumming, and de-rusting to the mechanism. I even got everything back together and functioning properly. It’s amazing how some of the springs and pins look like brand new after removing over 80 years worth of crap from them. It’s supposed to have been made in around 1918.

I'm a little hesitant to shoot it though after discovering "4F 45" electric penciled on the side of the cylinder.

How do you determine if a piece like this is safe to shoot?

 

[Win712]

I posted this revolver last week in the pre-45 page. These modifications were done by a Detroit Police Officer in the 1930's. I just obtained this 1917 made in 1918 from the DPD officer's son a couple of weeks ago. Greg

 

[baird]

Kwill1911,

That is possibly one of the nicest firearms I have ever seen. The story and newspaper clipping only adds to the whole package.

Not that I probably need to say it, but please keep that forever and pass it on to someone who will appreciate it for what it is worth, not how much money it might bring.

Again, very, very cool and thanks.

 

[Snapping Twig]

No doubt you're tired of seeing this image.

This is my version of a custom combat revolver.

Forgot to mention - the trigger guard is thinned like the revolver pictured a page or so back. If you look to the right of the shotgun shell prop, you can see it.

I had it made from a 8 3/8" 629-2 with an original 3" LH barrel, Predator package from Mag-Na-Port and a couple of my own specifications including, 11 degree forcing cone for lead, dual ball bearing crane detente and Trijicon night sights.

For those that don't like/believe in Mag-Na-Porting, let me assure you that in a short barrel it works and it works as advertized. I shoot 265g cast over 22g W296 with wood grips that fit me and it's pleasant. In my friends LH stock version I can't handle the same load, it's downright painful.

The preferred SD load for me is 7g W231 in a magnum case under a 240g cast SWC. Fast follow-up.