ltwguns.com

Most of the time when I sit down to compose a new post about a recently completed pistol it’s pretty easy for me to find the appropriate words to describe the work and the overall build. Many of the modifications we do are similar from gun-to-gun with the ultimate result being each clients vision for his/her perfect pistol. And then there are other times where we do things a bit different or have the pistol follow a ‘theme’ of sorts. But even more rare is a build conceived and spec’d as a functional tribute such as is the case with the gun pictured here.



The owner wanted to keep this pistol true to the spec’s the man memorialized on it would have chosen, with full-house detail on the inside but minimalist flare on the exterior. Although is was fitted up with all new parts such as a Kart barrel, EGW bushing, tool steel sear and disconnect, Ed Brown thumb safety, Wilson Combat extractor and ejector, EGW firing pin stop, plunger tube, and new pin set the gun still needed to have that traditional look. A silver soldered front sight with gold line insert was teamed up with our Retro rear sight to result in a classic and moreover functional sight picture and the original slide stop and spur hammer were retained, although I did heavily modify the hammer to prevent biting the shooter while still yielding the overall factory look. As a final touch the pistol was fit with Elephant Ivory stocks to compliment the polished blue finish, which on this gun really gave me a brilliant perspective on finish work.

As we all know the devil is in the details so I’ll let the pictures do the rest... enjoy

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Heirloom Precision
http://www.heirloomprecision.com

Good God..

Yes, I know, Jason will suffice. But still..

Just incredible.

Absolutely Classic and Gorgeous!

John Moses Browning, Colt, and Heirloom Precision - It just doesn't get any better.

John

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NRA Endowment Life Member
I may be big, old, and slow, but so are the ball rounds in my 1911.

The above gun was made for me. The idea took form a little over two years ago when I called Jason to talk about doing a build to honor my late father in law Chas. J. Keim. The gun had been given to Chas. by me just prior to his finding out he had terminal cancer. The gun at that time was a parked, commercial, engraved with his name and his WW11 information. He never had a chance to shoot it as he just became to sick to do it.

As time passed and the more I would look at the gun it seemed to me that a fitting tribute should be done to it. Well as you can see it is way more than I or anyone else envisioned. Jason and Ted really did a great job as the gun did have several cosmetic issues to overcome. As Ted says "parkerizing hides a multitude on sins" and this one was right on the edge of being saved.

I own several 1911's ranging from stock GI to full blown customs. I have never looked at any of them with anything other than a deep respect for the work that has gone into the job. However this one is different. When I saw the pics of the finished gun I had a real lump in my throat. There are some things in life that sum up the measure of the idea you are trying to express and this did it.

Chas. J. Keim was not only my father in law but my mentor and friend. He would have been very proud of his 1911a1. Thanks again, John.

I had the pleasure of seeing this gun in the flesh yesterday. I have seen it in various stages on Jason's bench the past couple of weeks and all I can say is that the transformation is amazing!
He (Jason) should have taken some before and after pics as you really can not even believe it is the same gun. It is sometimes easy to look at a retro build and think of it as "simple" and therefore "easier". Like they say: the devil is in the details and all those details you can see (and many that you can't) have been addressed on this one. If you think the pictures look great, wait till that magic FedEx guy rolls up and you get to handle it in person.

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Best regards,
Brady Miller
www.monkeyedge.com
The Finest in Custom Knives and Gear

Jason,
I have many 1911s. Some are pretty much "stock" with just a few mods to bring them to maximum functinal utility for my personal taste, while some others are "full-blown" by some of the greats here on the site, and yet others lie somewhere inbetween.
I do believe this 1911 which you just completed might just be my all-time favorite. I just might have to give you a call soon to talk about doing one similar.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Best regards,
Jeffro

Jbleifuss....That Is one INCREDIBLE pistol you have there, and a great tribute to your late Father-in-law and all of the great men and women who served in WWII. I am deeply moved when I see a personal tribute like this, as my Father and 3 of his 4 brothers served in WWII (the 4th brother went to Korea), and now as their generation is quickly crossing the bar...I feel..afraid I guess for lack of a better word, as I feell that we will never see people of their mettle and common sense again. I'm not complaining about our current warriors, but I dont feel that many of my generation "rate up" with these folks who survived the great depression, and no "politically correct" BS..."politically correct" in their day meant that you did your civic duties and made sure that EVERYONE voted!! (My Father's quote)
I'm sure your Father would have loved and admired this fantastic tribute, as any salty ol' Top would!! (Now get you a nice El Paso Saddlry #5 Patton or 1940 Military holster to display with that beauty!!)--John

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

Beautiful pistol and a fitting tribute.

One of your best yet! Outstanding in every detail!

A fitting tribute to one of our fallen heros! Charles would be proud Im sure.

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The Spirit of God hath made me, the breath of the Almighty hath given me life

John,

I think the overall concept and execution were perfect. You started with a great gun, gave it to a great builder, and memorialized a great man. I have two guns of my own and one I had built for a man I deeply respect that are VERY similar. After having quite a few highly customized 1911s, I have realized that there was and is absolutely nothing lacking with the original. Excellent pistol.

GOD Bless.

~Jim Keeney

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"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

wow! that's a real beauty.

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-Bill

I am not typically a fan of old school 1911 because I can't see the sights and the hammer bites my hand etc. However, that is simply dynamite work. It is indeed a fitting tribute.

Absolutely stunning!

Beautiful pistol and a wonderful tribute. I love Colts of this era. The roll marks are some of my favorite.

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He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.
-Marcus Aurelius

The owner has one nice piece of work. The craftsman are to be commended. In this day and age of "instant gratification" that shows there are things worth waiting for.

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Be safe and keep the brass flying

Terry Peters

Do your research but you get what you pay for front end or back end
http://www.pt-partners.com
@ptpartners_tx

Great work Ted. I really like the silver soldered in front sight with the gold line.

I'm sure Chas would have liked it. Very nice tribute John.

Best to all.

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http://www.harmscustomdesigns.com

Dang Jason!

It just keeps getting better. Who provided the ivory stocks?

Great work.

Rob

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We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm. George Orwell

That is one sweet 1911 for sure!! When I click on these threads to see the latest works of the top 'smiths that post here I am always impressed, this one had me mesmerized. I just can't get over how great it came out for you. Those Ivory grips make all the difference in the world too! There's something special about a blued 1911 and Ivory grips, that combo can't be beat.
Congrats!!

Since the Colt Commercial models are probably a bit pricey and may be difficult to find, what would be a good substitute as a base gun for a build-up like this one? Would the WWI be a good choice or would it be best to get a Caspian and have it lettered similar to a Commercial as others have done in their versions of "Repro" customs?

One last question, how come you went with the Brown Thumb safety instead of one like on the WWI repro? Just curious....

Thanks for posting the pics..

Nala

I have to agree 100% here. The 1920s - 1940s Colt rollmarks were the best, by a wide margin, in my opinion. They were simple, classy, and lacked the odd "government model" marking and the "series" marks of these latest eras. The actual word "COLT," in what appears to be a somewhat arial type font, just makes the whole thing look... graceful. The prices of these models are getting VERY steep, almost to the point of unaffordable to anyone but the very most wealthy collectors, or those with no other bills. Reasonable offers at auctions get stomped on by people paying a fortune to "buy it now" for an amazing price. Thus, the common asking prices go even higher.

I do think, however, that taking a "collectible" gun from this era and helping it to reach its potential as John did is absolutely worth it. Ted and Jason definiitely made this gun worth much more than it was before, and the tribute to a late soldier engraved on the port side of the slide made it priceless. Again, well done.

~Jim Keeney

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"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

Hey guys;
A bran newbi here at your forum and what a thread to open for my initiation. There really are few words to fully describe perfection.
I have been in the firearms business since 78 and handled more beautiful handguns than you can imagine. Because I own and operate a very successful indoor range, people are all the time wanting me to see, handle and shoot their special guns.
This gun however out of the thousands has risen to my all-time favorite. Simply out of this world for the tribute,concept and the finished product.
Kudos Jason, you have outdone yourself once again IMHO.

I have known the guys at Yost for many years and even though I have a full time in-house gunsmith who is excellent in his own right I am occasionally asked to recommend for something out of the ordinary or special in some way as well as for some special work on guns of my own.
Ted, Jason and the guys are it and have been since I met them.

This gun is a fantastic example needing no further explanation for my recommendations.

UncleFudd

Thanks for the kind words guys, I really do appreciate it. Out of all the guns we get to see, shoot, and work on this example is doubtless one of my all time favorites for a host of reasons. It was truly my pleasure to be able to work on it.

Just to keep the part the same as on the other gun I built for the owner... pictures soon to come.

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Heirloom Precision
http://www.heirloomprecision.com

Good God, that's sharp!

As per usual, I've come back to this thread several times and notice something I didn't notice before. This time it was the polish job on the right side of the slide stop, thumb safety and trigger pin. Look closely at them in pictures 6-9, and you can see Jason's softboxes reflecting in them!

Overall, there just aren't enough words. Very, very nice!


-Matt

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"If it has breasts or a motor, you're gonna have trouble with it."

Jason, at a loss for words...are we talking about the same Jason?

All the talking he needs to do he did with his hands on that pistol. Awesome tribute John, so cool that you would commission its build to remember a good man. And you defnitely went to the right place to have a classic Colt built!

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Stan Chen Customs
http://www.chencustoms.com