It has to be a Colt, but...

C

Cousin Pat

New member
I'm trying to come up with a gift for a relative being commissioned in the US Army and am planning for a traditional Colt 1911.

Because it's California, I have to work with what's legal -- the Series 1991 (not earlier).

Can I get someone to nickel plate the gun to a high quality standard? (I am matching it up with a Smith Model 27 revolver in nickel). If so, any recommendationsof who could do this?

Ideally, this person would also "accuratize" it a bit, possibly even upgrading the sights.'

I then plan to find someone to put on custom ivory grips with his initals. I'd appreciate any recommendations for that as well. Thanks!
 
Wish I had been related to you 41 years ago when I received my commission.

All I got was a salute from the OCS Training Unit First Seargeant, and I had to pay him a dollar for it.

You may want to reconsider your gift. The Army will loan him guns. LOL

Congrats on your relative's commission and thanks for their service to our Country.
 
that's a wonderful gift!
please thank him for all of us for his service.
have you considered having the gun/s engraved with his name and commission? engraving is done in the white, so a refinish is done afterward.
weldon lister is a world class master engraver and does excellent refinishing work. i could send you pics of work he has done for me, if you're interested. or, just google his website.
 
For plating and gunsmithing, take a look at APW/Cogan.
They have about the best reputation in the refinishing business, and offer high quality gunsmithing.

Instead of bright nickel, which isn't all that durable a finish, you might consider a mirror polished hard chrome. This has the shine of nickel but is a LOT tougher and more durable.
Talk it over with Cogan.

http://www.apwcogan.com/

Also, you might consider having the work done by the Colt Custom Shop. They'll do anything you can pay for, just like they have since the 1840's.
They offer standard packages, but will do one-of-a-kind guns to your specifications.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/custom.aspx

For real ivory grips, here's some of the top makers. Most also offer scrimshaw and inlay work for a true custom grip:

http://www.eaglegrips.com/

http://www.collinscraftgrips.com/

http://www.elenhunting.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=EHOS&Category_Code=PG

http://www.boonetrading.com/Pg14.html

http://www.nutmegsports.com/
 
I wholeheartedly recommend Wilson or Ken Crawley for 1911 work.
Click to expand...
I can give a big +1 to Ken Crawley. He has massaged at least three of my 1911s so far, and will continue to get my business as long as he continues to accept work.

He is a true gentleman and a true craftsman. I'm sure there are others, but I'm pretty sure there aren't many that are his equal.
 
Have you considered buying a regular stainless Colt and sending it to the Colt Custom shop for one of their bright stainless polish jobs? It'll come back looking like a mirror.
 
True the polished stainless gun will look nice but wont be the match for the nickel S&W Model 27. When placed side by side there is a definite difference between the two finishes. I would go with the Colt Custom Shop as I have had two custom guns done there in the last year and was happy with both. Not only that they do good work the gun will letter as a Colt and hold its value better than one that wasnt. No matter the reputation of the person if someone besides Colt does it you now have a modified Colt and may only have value to a select few. If you order the gun from Colt in nickel then the box will indicate that it is a nickel gun otherwise hang on to the paper work for the Colt custom work showing that Colt did the work and keep it with the box.
 
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