1978 70 series Colt in .45 ACP by Mr. Teddy Jacobson. Born in Brooklyn NY in 1941, at 18 years old Teddy suffered a devastating construction accident when an 800-pound air conditioning unit fell on him, crushing six vertebrae. Doctors told him he would never walk again. After spending months immobilized, Teddy defied their predictions. Not only did he walk again, but he eventually earned black belts in Goju-Ryu and Shotokan karate. After relocating to South Florida, Teddy became a police officer in Broward County. Frustrated by his inability to find someone capable of performing the handgun work he wanted, he decided to teach himself gunsmithing. Armed with little more than an extraordinary natural aptitude, Teddy began mastering the intricacies of revolvers and 1911s. His shop would become the infamous “Actions By T” –a one-man gunsmithing operation that would endure for over five decades.
Teddy developed a legendary reputation for his revolver action jobs. Approximately half of his clientele were law enforcement officers, a testament to the confidence working professionals placed in his craftsmanship. His pistols were instantly recognizable for their “T” logo and extensive jeweling. Subtlety wasn’t Teddy’s vibe in the flamboyant 80s custom-gun era. But beneath the garish jeweling was meticulous mechanical work. Equally legendary was Teddy’s personality. Brilliant, eccentric, outspoken, and brutally honest, he had little patience for bullshit. Let’s just say old Teddy didn’t suffer fools. Grips by the venerable Craig Spegel because why wouldn’t I? Checkering was done by the other TJ — my friend, the incomparable Tim Gerhard (TJ’s Gunsmithing)
