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A couple of SHOT Shows ago, I got the idea that I'd like to build a Government Model the way Armand Swenson used to build them, back in his heyday. After researching a little, I realized that I didn't want to emulate every nuance of his way of crafting a 1911. After all, I had the advantage of having resources that he didn't, in the way of a wide after market of parts. So I ordered up a Kart barrel 'cause I really didn't want to get into welding up a Colt barrel and learning how to do his barrel positioner. More changes seemed to be worthy and I was having to work at it to stay on track to build a Swenson Tribute gun. I decided to rationalize the changes by building a "What If" piece, that is what if Swenson had built for another 15 years? How would his work have evolved?

Well that pistol was finished and displayed at SHOT '08. A lot of good folks were fans of Swenson 1911 like I was and it was out of the display case for frequent examination. One of the guys having a look was Larry Vickers. He decided that he liked the concept and ordered one for himself. Larry wanted more of a traditional Swenson piece, so this gun has a good many original Swenson features to preserve that appearance. I still didn't do any barrel welding, though!

Larry provided a nice big letter Series '70 as a base gun, along with a Swenson ambi safety, his own ignition components and an old style K frame sight with the small mounting screw. The top of the slide had already had the rear dovetail welded up and had been hand matted by Wayne Novak's shop. I did the normal far-to-the-rear installation and the Swenson style shear pin with a V stamped in it, true to old school Swenson. The front had to be a Speed Ramp style, so I machined a slot .125" wide, shaped a piece of steel for the sight and silver-soldered it in place. When the pistol was plated, Chris Peters at Metaloy did a great job masking off the bluing, so the front sight stayed black. Still pretty close to the Swenson pattern.
The trigger guard was squared, trued and checkered 30 lpi, as was the front strap and arched main spring housing. I beveled the sides of the main spring housing, like an original Swenson MSH that Ken Hackathorn loaned me. I have a feeling that the side bevels may really be more of a Wayne Novak design. Wayne's shop hand matted the correct areas on the MSH.

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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.

I'll bet Mr. Swenson is pleased with that one, John.

Outstanding John... I love it!!

I know Larry will be pleased and I can't wait to get a good look at this gun.

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Heirloom Precision
http://www.heirloomprecision.com

Daggone John,

I have a '70s Combat Commander Mr. Swenson worked over when it was practically new. It has continued to run well since, changing only springs. A tribute to him.

But I'll swear, it never looked as nice as yours. That's just magnificent!

Very nice. When I was young and poor I use to drool over the pictures of his work.

With no disrespect intended, I have handled several full-house Swenson guns, and this one shown here is much better executed and finished than the original.

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No good deed goes unpunished.

That, sir, is the cat's pajamas. I thought it was impossible to top your last Swenson Tribute. I am happy to have been proven wrong.

Congratulations to the owner, the builder and the man that inspired this gun.

As a side note, I know where that thumb safety came from.

That is simpley outstanding !

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GO-FOR-IT

That's nice. I'm absolutely sure Mr Swenson would have been proud to carry that.

Better than flawless execution John, exceptional!

Freaking off the charts cool! I've just got to have one of those, John.

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"When the sword is once drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation." ~Alexander Hamilton

well David, he might just have a spot for you on his waiting list.