[Dane Burns]

There was talk about retro style guns some time back. I haven't had the time to post pictures of anything I have been building but here is one I quite taken by :grin: The look is an aquired taste of middle age I suppose.

This Colt is a very clean, first year of production, stainless 1911. I added a BarSto, Vedecki set @ 3.5# with the obligatory traditional wide spur hammer (hand made) early style grip safety, with some length added, scalloped back strap for "deco art" look, modern thumb safety and a presentation set of ivory slabs. A little old and a little new, the best of both periods, IMO. You would have been THE man in Camp Perry in 1930

I like it....how about you?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Dane Burns on 2001-04-15 15:41 ]</font>

 

[gyp_c2]

Perfect...Exactly my taste too...(lay off the middle age thingee', we both know what comes after THAT!)

No doubt...I like the already "old" look...Retro is a great term for this...I prefer -0- crap on the slide except for the little bit of ID marks...Don't care for all those serrations and stuff...I still throw my fingers over the rear sight and pull to check for loaded chamber...I just like 'em plain and shootable...Trouble with real purty ones, is I feel bad for a while when it gets dinged...I guess someday I'll want a collector thingee' or three, but for now, they wind up in all kinda' weird places and get the finish rubbed off, etc...I'm keepin' the cold blue makers in business, seems like...

Thanks for sharin'...as always, tastefully understated elegance...I like...

:wink:

_________________
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>g2<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

..!MOLON LABE!..

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: gyp_c2 on 2001-04-15 04:42 ]</font>

 

[timujin]

I like the retro hammer. Sweet piece...Mike

 

[RMLamey]

Very nice Dane. Its seems funny that there is somewhat of a ground swell building for simple, well done, clean but VERY BASIC or "retro" type 1911's. Ive been contimplating having one built for some time and will very soon.

Again, good job.

 

[Roger D]

That happens to be one VERY tastefully done 1911 - exceedingly refined, stylish even - - now, how do I get one????

Regards,


Roger D

 

[Dane Burns]

Roger, all it takes is any Colt in reasonable shape, I have a dozen in the shop dating from 1915 up. All are being rebuilt in a traditional manner and as shooters. Some of them, after the refurbish, are being sent off for a classic engraving job. This was the first Series 80 gun and the first stainless gun.

I'm thinking a "D" engraving job would look pretty good on this one. The owner is lurking...he isn't convinced :grin:

This is the Colt NM 1927, gun they are modeled after.

But I also try to remember they all came from guns like this..a 1917 Commercial Colt.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Dane Burns on 2001-04-15 13:24 ]</font>

 

[Roger D]

Dane:

A bit of restrained engraving will only compliment, not detract from the subtle work performed on the pistol. Having never handled a 1927 N.M. (or any other 1st Model), I'm told they were extremely well-made and fitted factory target pistols (and serve as one fine model).

Yes, I can see an elegant, deep blued 1911 fitted out with ivories and made to shoot in my near future.

Best regards,


Roger

 

[Hilton Yam]

Dane:
great looking piece! Very cool, simple, and functional. I like how the grip safety is just slightly recut, but leaves the original look. Does the hammer still bite, or did you shave off some of the spur?

Now the question is: where to get extra parts for the retro guns? King's sells new wide spur hammers, SVI and Caspian sell commercial style spur hammers. The SVI's are tempting, since they'll have the modern geometry and narrowed sides. I guess older Colts are the best place to get the grip safeties? I'll bet all of our resident smiths have boxes full of Colt guide rods, recoil spring caps, hammers, and grip safeties! As far as mainspring housings, all the new ones seem to have checkering. Only Les Baer seems to sell serrated ones. Any other sources I'm missing?

 

[Desert Dog]

Hilton,

You might want to give a call to Clark Custom Guns. They are advertising on their web site that they are selling "take-off" parts. I dunno what all they might have, but it might be worth a shot. Here is where I saw this mentioned: http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/deals.htm

DD

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Desert Dog on 2001-04-15 15:13 ]</font>

 

[Bruce]

Dane, on each of these I wonder...what will folks be saying about them on the internet in another 75-100 years. Works of art.

 

[Mute]

That's beautiful. Heck, I'd take one of these over any number of newer pieces.

 

[emclain]

Beautiful piece, Dane. Don't think I need to hit middle age to appreciate it, though, I'm nuts about it now. I really dig the retro look, my ideal working gun would be similar w/arched MSH, Heinie Straight Eights, and well, hmmm, nothing else. Perhaps even throw in some dead animal skins by Mr. Alessi, perfect package.

Eric

 

[TCao]

Reminds me of the Cooper 80 from Gunsite. TC

 

[256M-S]

This unfortunate tendency to label all things with clever (and rather more often not-so-clever) tags which often have no useful meaning or add to the knowledge of the reader or listener needs to be squelched among good people.

What is "RETRO" applied to a simple, functional, professionally set up 1911 pistol? Nothing retroactive about that--it's what the piece was meant to be.

"Lines to my Lady 45" could never have been written about these tricked out game guns or so-called duty guns with a host of modifications and add-ons whose primary purpose is simply to make the owner feel more professional in terms set by media rather than practical usage.

The pieces Dane has been showing lately simply reflect a return to common sense, practical, defensive sidearms. Nothing retroactive about that atall.

Did I mention I hate that term applied to 1911's. Next thing we'll be labelling 41, 44, 45 DA revolvers with fixed sights, good fitting, a professional finish, and functional grips retro-wheelies--or is that limited to the old Peterson crew?

 

[Desert Dog]

I find it especially disheartening 256, when one of those Gen-Xer kids at the range wielding a Glock refers to me as "retro". :sad:

But then I do get the last laugh, by drilling very small groups in my target, while they spray their target and I get to remind them of the advantages of using ones sights. :grin:

DD

 

[Dane Burns]

Just want to note for the record while I started the "retro" thread some time ago I was recently chastised about the term and made great pains in avoiding it in this forum and on this subject.

I agree a good fighting gun can never be "retro".

Only a damn cigar, khakis and Safari hats could be considered retro. :lol:

Or hunting pigs for that matter...the age old sport of any soldier on every continent.

In the climbing world, is where I first heard the term, retro. It has the ring of old and being obsolete. The difference is "retro" takes more chances, uses less gear and achieves greater reward for the effort.

You have to have some courage and skill to have been "retro" or be "retro" in that community.

While not attempting to insult anyone. I like "retro" in that connotation. At first insulted by the comment, I now wear the label with pride. Some of us just smoke a good cigar and defy labels :grin:

 

[gyp_c2]

Boy...ain't that the truth!

:wink:

 

[Mute]

I suppose with my Khakis, safari shirts and photo vest, I'm an antique.

My name is Alex and I'm a retrogrouch. And I'm damn proud of it!
_________________
Alex Tham
"To kill a gopher, you must think like a gopher."

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mute on 2001-04-17 12:31 ]</font>

 

[gyp_c2]

I'm just a "grouch", I'm retro 'cause it seemed to me that for every step forward we take, we frequently take 3 back...can't catch up and not sure I want to...There must be a "few" of us, otherwise the 50s,60, and 70s muscle cars wouldn't be worth so much!

:lol:

 

[emclain]

Well, geez, I didn't mean to start a flame war with the retro term! I can only qualify by stating that I am a stately 22. :smile:

Anyway, my real meaning was that I am not fond of all the doo-dads that have been added to the 1911 over the years. Yes, my personal custom (done by a guy nobody here would know, it was one of his first guns) has gone through several evolutions. Had it all tricked out at first, then scaled back a little, and am now back to just a few additions. I have a high-ride Beavertail, commander hammer, lightweight trigger, etc. but would prefer to have just the gun Dane had pictured with a few mods to fit me.

I kinda agree with Dane's last post about retro not being a good thing. One of my friends and I were discussing trendy things the other night and I mentioned that I really dislike trends. He could hardly stop laughing, as he pointed out, "No kidding, I've never seen anybody as close to 22 going on 50 as you are." I guess I just like things the way they used to be. Old Colt's, when they were put together with TLC, same with S&W's. Respect for elders and those in authority, etc. Ahhh, if it was just a little more "in" to be "retro" but, then I guess it wouldn't be retro, huh?

Eric