I will try again, Anybody have any revolvers modified by him in the 40's 50's 60's or 70's? SG688 and I are always on the hunt. Wiley Clapp has done an article on him a time or two and a picture of an M&P Victory model customized by him was in the 1970 Guns and Ammo Annual. He made "Combat" revolvers out of M&P's Colt OP's as well as N-frames, New Services and Police Positives. The conversions had semi- opened trigger guards, short 3in. barrels, custom ribs with adjustable sights and smoothed up and modified hammers. We have watched but never seen anything for sale or discussed on the Forums we search. Some of you Ca. members may know or have seen one and we both are anxious to know more. Thanks, and all my best, Joe.
George Mathews /California Gunsmith
- Thread starter Joe Kent
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Wyatt Burp
Member
I saw the same article in one of my dad's G&A annuals I still have about that Victory Model. I really liked the gun. Enough to remember it now. I believe it had a rib, modified hammer and adjustable sights. But I know nothing else about him.
Joe; I lived in Northern Calif. most of my life. The gunsmiths I did business with were Kurt Hasse, Bruce Stevens & Frank Lehman. Think all are gone now but not sure. Never ran across Geo.Matthews firearms.
Fred Cook
Member
George Matthews Revolver
I recently acquired the Colt Lightning that he rebuilt into a 22 LR with ivory grips. The grip frame has been rebuilt to look more like a Colt SAA grip. This work was done in 1953 with the original gun having been made in 1886. Apparently he built this gun as a personal piece to carry when trekking into the desert near his home. Once he finished the mechanical work, he re casehardened the frame and rust blued the barrel, cylinder and grip frame. It is shown in the 1969 Guns and Ammo Annual issue on page 308. It is still in beautiful condition both cosmetically and mechanically.
I recently acquired the Colt Lightning that he rebuilt into a 22 LR with ivory grips. The grip frame has been rebuilt to look more like a Colt SAA grip. This work was done in 1953 with the original gun having been made in 1886. Apparently he built this gun as a personal piece to carry when trekking into the desert near his home. Once he finished the mechanical work, he re casehardened the frame and rust blued the barrel, cylinder and grip frame. It is shown in the 1969 Guns and Ammo Annual issue on page 308. It is still in beautiful condition both cosmetically and mechanically.
Well, Jeez, fellas. How about some pictures?!
Fred Cook
Member
Fred Cook
Member
George Matthews articles..........
There is also a multi page article about Mr. Matthews in the 1989 issue of the Handguns '89 book edited by Mr. Wiley Clapp. The article has lots of pictures of both Smith and Colt revolvers modified by Mr. Matthews. The last time I looked, there were a couple of copies of this book available on Ebay for just a few dollars.
There is also a multi page article about Mr. Matthews in the 1989 issue of the Handguns '89 book edited by Mr. Wiley Clapp. The article has lots of pictures of both Smith and Colt revolvers modified by Mr. Matthews. The last time I looked, there were a couple of copies of this book available on Ebay for just a few dollars.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Hi Standard (or vice versa) must have seen the matthews lighting or again vice versa and built the double 9!
Fred Cook
Member
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Somewhere years ago I seen a M&P he did with a "Wundhammer" etc.
BRush
Member
Out of the Past. In the late 80's I lived about three blocks from his store in Downey. A family run store with George, his wife, son and daughter. Used to walk over regularly and bought many guns from him. George was a master from the old school. Could whip out a part on his lathe faster than you could order it. Like others have said, his custom rifles were legendary.
The guns I bought from him and the work I had done include the following.
This Model 25-2 for which I had him fit the 45 Colt cylinder.
This actureized for Bullseye 1957 Government Model (I later added the thumb safety, but otherwise I've kept as George made it).
I moved out of Downey in 1980 but always tried to stop by the shop when in L.A. for business. The last time was probably the mid-80's. After that I lost touch and often wondered what happened to the family and the shop. I'll shoot some pictures of a couple of other Smiths George worked on for me and post them later.
The guns I bought from him and the work I had done include the following.
This Model 25-2 for which I had him fit the 45 Colt cylinder.
This actureized for Bullseye 1957 Government Model (I later added the thumb safety, but otherwise I've kept as George made it).
I moved out of Downey in 1980 but always tried to stop by the shop when in L.A. for business. The last time was probably the mid-80's. After that I lost touch and often wondered what happened to the family and the shop. I'll shoot some pictures of a couple of other Smiths George worked on for me and post them later.
Fred Cook
Member
George Matthews
Apparently George passed away sometime in the mid 90s. The gentleman that I bought the .22 Lightning from bought it from George's widow in 1996. I believe that she and the son were liquidating the shop at that point. The Lightning was sold to a Mr. Bork who kept it until this year when he sold it to me. Along with the gun I got a letter from Mrs. Matthews written on the shop letterhead to Mr. Bork saying that she hoped that he enjoyed the gun as much as George had enjoyed making it. A nice bit of provenance to follow along with the pistol. I also received a copy of the 1969 Guns and Ammo Annual that has a picture of the Lightning and some notes probably made by George.
Apparently George passed away sometime in the mid 90s. The gentleman that I bought the .22 Lightning from bought it from George's widow in 1996. I believe that she and the son were liquidating the shop at that point. The Lightning was sold to a Mr. Bork who kept it until this year when he sold it to me. Along with the gun I got a letter from Mrs. Matthews written on the shop letterhead to Mr. Bork saying that she hoped that he enjoyed the gun as much as George had enjoyed making it. A nice bit of provenance to follow along with the pistol. I also received a copy of the 1969 Guns and Ammo Annual that has a picture of the Lightning and some notes probably made by George.
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Richard26675
Member
I know this is an old thread but...In 1992 he re-blued my Model 14. After years of holster wear, I was not the first owner, it was looking rather tired. George also smoothed/blued the trigger face and added machine turning to the side of the trigger and hammer. I know this is not in keeping with stock/as issued but the effect is very beautiful. All this in addition to a great trigger double action job (LAPD did not allow single action- all our revolvers had to be neutered). If you know the area his shop was on Downey Ave just south of Florence.
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Richard26675
Member
Texas Star
US Veteran
Some of his work was in, Gun World back in the 1960's, too. Except that the trigger guard is cut out ala Fitzgerald, the gun on the hardcover edition of Ian Fleming's, From Russia, With Love looks a lot like what Mathews did. That gun belonged to Geoffrey Boothroyd and was modified in the UK, but the overall lines are pretty similar.
The book cover is a painting by Richard Chopping, but he painted Boothroyd's gun from life. Chopping had no UK firearms license, and loaning the gun while he painted caused a bureaucratic hassle. It was not Boothroyd's only handgun by a long shot, but was what they chose for the cover, despite not being the gun used by Bond or anyone else in the book. Go figure...
I think you can Search for the book cover and see that gun.
The book cover is a painting by Richard Chopping, but he painted Boothroyd's gun from life. Chopping had no UK firearms license, and loaning the gun while he painted caused a bureaucratic hassle. It was not Boothroyd's only handgun by a long shot, but was what they chose for the cover, despite not being the gun used by Bond or anyone else in the book. Go figure...
I think you can Search for the book cover and see that gun.
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George Mathews Victory model
I found a George Mathews post WW2 Civilian Victory model rework. It came in with several other gunshop excess revolvers.
- Clockwork inside this gun is mirrored, turned and amazing.
- Machine fitted vented barrel rib with adjustable sight.
- Deep saw tooth back strap and hammer, Bobbed Hammer spur.
- Crane & cylinder is tight fit in frame.
- Trigger pull is light & crisp.
- Gunsmithing & Fitting is amazing.
I found a George Mathews post WW2 Civilian Victory model rework. It came in with several other gunshop excess revolvers.
- Clockwork inside this gun is mirrored, turned and amazing.
- Machine fitted vented barrel rib with adjustable sight.
- Deep saw tooth back strap and hammer, Bobbed Hammer spur.
- Crane & cylinder is tight fit in frame.
- Trigger pull is light & crisp.
- Gunsmithing & Fitting is amazing.
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cowart
US Veteran
Fleming and Boothroyd corresponded by mail regarding the creation of that book cover. Its a pretty interesting read for someone who is both a gun person and a Bond fan. The letters can be seen at
Letters to The Armourer
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