I found this customized Norinco 1911 in a pawn shop last week for $385. I wasn't sure who did the work, but it had an excellent trigger and shot like a dream. I did notice it had a 4 digit number under the left slide rail that wasn't part of the serial number.
Two days later I saw this 1996 Colt LW Enhanced Officers Model in my local shop for $1299. It had been customized by Tussey Custom. It too has an excellent trigger and shot like a dream.
While cleaning it, I noticed it also had a 4 digit number in the exact same place. Could my Norinco have been built up by Tussey?
A little back ground. I worked about 10 miles from Tussey Custom when he had his shop in Santa Ana, CA. He had done some minor work for me in the late 90's. I also use to see him showing his work at gun shows. I could never afford to have him build me a custom 1911. So when I saw the Colt LW with his logo, I had to have it.
After searching the internet & contacting Tussey Custom, it was determined that the 4 digit number is an invoice #. And Tussey Custom informed me they also put the number under the thumb safety and under other parts. Sure enough, I pulled out both thumb safeties and they had the same invoice number on them as their perspective slides had. Both guns also have similar work done to them.
Tussey Custom is currently checking their records to verify they worked on the Norinco.
My guess is that someone retired out to my area who had the work done. They may have passed away or were ready to get rid of these for whatever reason. My local gun shop, which is flush with used 1911's, probably passed on the Norinco. Why it ended-up at a pawn shop. But took in the custom Colt.
All speculation, but I'm happy with both of them.
Two days later I saw this 1996 Colt LW Enhanced Officers Model in my local shop for $1299. It had been customized by Tussey Custom. It too has an excellent trigger and shot like a dream.
While cleaning it, I noticed it also had a 4 digit number in the exact same place. Could my Norinco have been built up by Tussey?
A little back ground. I worked about 10 miles from Tussey Custom when he had his shop in Santa Ana, CA. He had done some minor work for me in the late 90's. I also use to see him showing his work at gun shows. I could never afford to have him build me a custom 1911. So when I saw the Colt LW with his logo, I had to have it.
After searching the internet & contacting Tussey Custom, it was determined that the 4 digit number is an invoice #. And Tussey Custom informed me they also put the number under the thumb safety and under other parts. Sure enough, I pulled out both thumb safeties and they had the same invoice number on them as their perspective slides had. Both guns also have similar work done to them.
Tussey Custom is currently checking their records to verify they worked on the Norinco.
My guess is that someone retired out to my area who had the work done. They may have passed away or were ready to get rid of these for whatever reason. My local gun shop, which is flush with used 1911's, probably passed on the Norinco. Why it ended-up at a pawn shop. But took in the custom Colt.
All speculation, but I'm happy with both of them.
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