ltwguns.com

OK
While he wasn't an LTW smith I am sure his work inspired some of the smiths here.

I know most of you know the history of the ASP so I won't bore you with too much info but here is a little.
I have lusted after the ASP since I saw them while reading an old gun magazine in the late 80's.
I was a teen and never saw one in person.
James Bond carried one in late 80's mid 90's (Goldeneye and Cold) John Gardner books.
I got my CPL when I was 18 (early 90's) as I owned vending machines and my families other businesses were mainly cash businesses back then.
I carried an Italian Beretta 92F (I still have it!). I modified a couple mags with cut outs and cut out pieces of a pair of grips to insert clear plastic mimicking the ASP.
Paris Theodore innovated and built the ASP till 1982 and then he licensed it to Kevin Parsons.
Parsons later released a limited edition of 100 in a special set Quest for Excellence.
I was able to find and original Paris modified ASP which most likely was never fired and a QFE which is complete, #s matching and unfired as well.
The S&W model 39 was cut down and all edges were smoothed, lightening cuts were made to reduce weight and improve balance. Some 200+ modifications were made to the model 39 and it was one of the earliest guns to be coated in Teflon-S.
The Kevin Parsons guns were mostly built off the 439 from what I have found and all the QFE's were 439s. Only problem is since they are both likely unfired now I need to find one I won't feel bad about shooting LOL


His obituary in the WSJ makes for quite a read!

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116502203184238739

_________________
Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun
"You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman

Cool stuff. I will confess that although I was a little lukewarm on the Smith 39 and 59, I did own a 59 early on and I thought the ASP was darned interesting. More so today for the historical aspect and yes, I'm sure too that these had some influence.

Jeremy, do you keep an eye out at Rock Island Auction? I think I've seen one or two there in the last couple years.

And PS, no one needs ever hesitate to post custom guns here that didn't come from LTW smiths, especially when they are something of historical / technical interest.