For Throwback Thursday, we have a rare, early “Bobcat” build from Richard Heinie. The styling is very Swenson-esque, and there is a certain level of crudity bestowed by the porous Essex frame.
Category Archives: Historical
Vietnam Veteran Commemorative Coin
Yesterday my friend Brady presented me with this coin he tracked down and bought for me . The intention was to honor my now deceased Dad, another Vietnam vet. This commemorative coin is pure silver. It’s a proof coin that was never touched by human skin. A limited amount of them were made by theContinue reading “Vietnam Veteran Commemorative Coin”
Jim Boland Custom M1911
custom_handguns Jimboland custom 1911 circa 1980 with his trick slide stop that actuates the slide lock with the thumb safety. yep. Wild. The eighties were awesome. PS-reworked Ace frame for Gold Cup wide trigger, not a Gold Cup..
Chuck Ward “Pin Puncher” Conversion
For this week’s Wheelgun Wednesday, we have a Smith & Wesson Model 29-2 .44 Magnum worked over by Chuck Ward of C. Ward Conversions. Ward liked to use Douglas barrels for his “Cadillac quality” builds, but he would use an Apex barrel in a pinch. The hybrid round butt backstrap/square butt frontstrap profile was oneContinue reading “Chuck Ward “Pin Puncher” Conversion”
Farmer Frank’s Custom Government Models
Last week, I show cased a few of favorite .41 Magnum revolvers of the late gunwriter Frank W. James. Today, I thought I’d show off a few of his custom semi-auto pistols. Alas, I don’t know who ultimately ended up with these. First up is a two-tone Colt Government Model from George Huening back whenContinue reading “Farmer Frank’s Custom Government Models”
Throwback Thursday – Another Colt Prototype for the Glue Factory
Or is it more of a “throw it back” Thursday? Today’s Colt prototype is undated, but it has a strong Charter Arms vibe. Perhaps Douglas S. McClenahan designed it while he was at Colt, years before he formed Charter Arms in 1964? However, part of me suspects it was built in the 1970s when ColtContinue reading “Throwback Thursday – Another Colt Prototype for the Glue Factory”
Farmer Frank’s Custom Smith & Wesson Model 57 Revolvers
If you are a fan of the .41 Magnum, you may recognize the late gunwriter Frank W. James. Other than Elmer Keith and Evan Marshall, it is hard to think of any other gunwriters who were so attached to the cartridge. Today, we are going to look at three of Farmer Frank’s custom Model 57Continue reading “Farmer Frank’s Custom Smith & Wesson Model 57 Revolvers”
Clark “Grand Master” PPC Revolver
Continuing the wheelgun kick, today we have a collaboration between Jim Clark, Sr. and Ron Power. They started offering the Grand Master PPC conversions of Smith & Wesson and Ruger revolvers in 1980. As the ad states, the sight rib is a one-piece shroud for the Douglas match barrel. Power would later revert to aContinue reading “Clark “Grand Master” PPC Revolver”
Bill Davis “Cougar” and “Rattler”
I figured we would stick to a custom revolver theme for another day or so. Today, we find out what happens when a Ruger and a Colt love each other very, very much. Bill Davis ran one of the most influential revolver gunsmithing operations on the West Coast. He was the man to see ifContinue reading “Bill Davis “Cougar” and “Rattler””
Jack Weigand Smith & Wesson 940 “Executive” 4PJ Conversion
Before Jack Weigand went all-in as the manufacturer of firearms optic mounts, he was a respected pistolsmith. He briefly ran the Springfield Armory Custom Shop after Les Baer left. Weigand even tried to give it a go as the Taurus Custom Shop manager before deciding that was a dead end. During the early 1990s, WeigandContinue reading “Jack Weigand Smith & Wesson 940 “Executive” 4PJ Conversion”
Scattered Shots 