ltwguns.com

Hello-

Just picked up a locally owned Colt S70 that has been customized lightly and tastefully with such things as S&W revolver sights, dot front, port lowered and flared, crowned and fit incredibly tight. I'll post some pics when I get some decent light. Anyway, it is engraved on the left side by the slide stop "Custom by Schmidt." Anyone have info on this maker and contact info? Would like to know a little someting about the history of this classic pistol. Has been used a bit and I shot it today and it is slick as snot.





Thanks,
Ross

PS First post on this forum...I have been lurking for some time and I think this is THE forum to be a part of. Thanks for letting the "common folks" hang in the company of modern legends...there Ned that should get me at least a 10% discount when my name comes up in 3 years...I'll be sure and remind you!

BTT with pics!

Great pics, with an interesting history. I can't recall a shop or smith named "Schmidt" but that doesn't mean much. Good luck.

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Classy and classic-looking piece of hardware! While I don't have any info on the maker, it looks like he knows/knew his way around a Government Model. Did he keep the factory barrel? Thanks!

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Wayne Miller

rehemp

I think the maker of your gun was a guy named Fred Schmidt. I remember seeing some articles in the early 1980's on some of his PPC Smiths guns and sub nose Smiths. I have always wanted one of his Smiths but they are very hard to find. If I remember right, he lived on the east coast some where around DC. As I understand it he passed away in 1986. He was a great craftsman and well before his time. He was the guy that invented (I think) what people refer to as the short cylinder or set back cylinder on PPC guns. I remember reading about 3 articles by different writers and they all went as far to say he did some of the best machine work they had ever seen and considered his work as some of the best. Several months ago I posted a question on Pistolsmith.com about him. Only one person replyed. I think you can still find it if you search under past makers. Fred Schmidt.

PS if you ever see one of his Smiths please let me know.

TJ

Austin Behlert posts here and at Pistolsmith.com. He would certainly be a contemporary of Mr. Schmidt. You might want to email him with photos and ask if he can help.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis

Hello all-

Thanks for the input and comments. Jerry Keefer from over at pistolsmith.com emailed me some info about Fred Schmidt, the smith who worked over this pistol.

"Yes, I knew Fred. He was noted for PPC revolvers with a short cylinder. He did some 1911 work, but it was mostly carry guns. Fred was a machinist by trade. He was a very good gunsmith and a member of the American Pistolsmith's Guild. His shop was in Mechanicsville, Va. on Signal Hill Road, not far from DeGoffs Sporting Goods Store.


Fred died of a heart attack in 1986."

Thank you all for your help. I will be keeping this pistol around since I really appreciate the era in pistolsmithing it reflects. Don't shoot too bad neither!!!

Ross

"Schmidt" sounded so familiar to me, but couldn't come up with Fred. His claim to fame was the short cylindered PPC guns and they were highly regarded. Sounds like you got a neat keeper from another place in time.
Thanks for sharing it with us.

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