ltwguns.com

Actions Speak Louder Than Words
It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2026 6:35 am

All times are UTC-08:00




Post new topic  Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Who built my gun????
PostPosted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 6:35 am 
Offline
New Member

Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:02 am
Posts: 14
Location: Ft Campbell, KY
Thanks for the help, I was able to get it figured out.


Last edited by Jon C on Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:20 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Who built my gun????
PostPosted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 6:49 am 
Offline
Members

Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:26 am
Posts: 141
Location: Melbourne, FL
Jason Burton from Heiloom Precision would be the go to person on this.

_________________
No Piece, No Peace


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Who built my gun????
PostPosted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 7:39 am 
Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2004 1:46 pm
Posts: 488
This gun has some very Swensonish features but doesn't appear to be a Swenson gun. No markings under the slide on the disco rail?

I love the pachmayr beavertail.

_________________
"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb

CHECK OUT MY CUSTOM 1911 BLOG
http://thearsenalofdemocracy.blogspot.com


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Who built my gun????
PostPosted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 9:32 am 
Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2004 5:44 pm
Posts: 414
Location: Maryland
I sent the pictures to Wayne Novak, who worked in Swenson's shop and has seen a lot of them.

In his opinion, the frame and trigger are correct. He stated that Swenson never installed a grip safety like that. The slide is not a Swenson; the front sight installation is very poor and would never have left the shop like that.

_________________
No good deed goes unpunished.


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Who built my gun????
PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 2:53 am 
Offline
Members

Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2008 6:56 pm
Posts: 73
I'll try and ask Bruce about that, I believe he used to work for Mr. Swenson as well...

*edit* Bruce did not work for Swenson but he is familiar with his work, and that doesnt look like it...


Last edited by Rln_21 on Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Who built my gun????
PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:40 pm 
Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 1:15 pm
Posts: 618
Location: MI
I would bet not. While the frame and trigger do look correct (I would not argue with Wayne on those points) the front sight is wrong, the rear sight is not correctly positioned, being rearwards a bit too much, and lacking the recoil lug. The mainspring housing appears to be a Pachmayr, and those ambis were most definitely not Swenson.

And I guess I do have ot argue with Wayne, the checkering just doesn't look right.

If it works 100%, and is accurate, great. But if you paid a higher figure for the Swenson provenance, you should not have.


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Who built my gun????
PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:57 pm 
Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2004 5:44 pm
Posts: 414
Location: Maryland
Well, the checkering, while not-so-great, is similar to that I have seen on other Swensons (maybe guns done near the end of his career ?)

The horizontally-serrated trigger is Swenson look.

The lack of markings anywhere is a little concerning, though.

_________________
No good deed goes unpunished.


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Who built my gun????
PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:41 pm 
Offline
Members

Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2005 9:47 am
Posts: 137
Location: So Cal, Colo.
I'm no expert, but that might be a Jim Hoag gun. I have a Springfield that Jim built for me a few years ago, and that beavertail looks like Jim's, the checkering looks like the checkering on my gun, and the S&W rear sight installation looks like the way Jim builds them. If that's not a Swenson, it might be a Hoag gun. Look on the cartridge pickup rail for any other markings, Jim often marked that area on his builds.

_________________
Ted


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Who built my gun????
PostPosted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:38 am 
Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2004 1:46 pm
Posts: 488
Doesn't look anything like my Hoag....click my Blog for pics

_________________
"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb

CHECK OUT MY CUSTOM 1911 BLOG
http://thearsenalofdemocracy.blogspot.com


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Who built my gun????
PostPosted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:44 pm 
Offline
Members

Joined: Sun May 28, 2006 3:55 pm
Posts: 88
It doesn't look at all like my Hoag, either. Aside from aesthetics, the workmanship looks to be standard fare for Bruce, but it's sure not a Hoag gun. Gray apprenticed under Behlert, but I didn't know he worked with Swenson, too.

I, too, hope you didn't pay a "Swenson" premium for it.

As to the markings, I remember hearing that he was completely inconsistent with marking his work; some of his guns were marked, and some he didn't, and that after he passed away someone had stolen his stamps, accounting for some forgeries turning up.


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Who built my gun????
PostPosted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 3:41 pm 
Offline
New Member

Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:02 am
Posts: 14
Location: Ft Campbell, KY
I didn't pay a "Swenson" premium, fortunately.

I'm still happy with the gun at the price I paid, I'd just like to know who it came from.


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Who built my gun????
PostPosted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 1:30 pm 
Offline
Members

Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2005 9:47 am
Posts: 137
Location: So Cal, Colo.
I was wrong on Hoag, the beavertail doesn't look like his trademark only the checkering looks like mine.

_________________
Ted


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Who built my gun????
PostPosted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 5:27 pm 
Offline
Board Member
Board Member

Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 10:26 am
Posts: 1306
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Maybe Craig Wetstein (sp?) who once worked for Pachmayr and was later on his own in CA?

_________________
shop.HarrisonCustom.com
www.HarrisonCustom.com

The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.


Top
   
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic  Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 

All times are UTC-08:00


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited