ltwguns.com

I'm new here, but some of you may know me from some other forums. I have been lurking here for some time and drooling over everyones customs. It seldom in life that you get to have direct contact with people whose work you consider to be otherworldly(good word huh?).

Anyways, now I want to ask the impossible of you, I picked up a Colt 1991 some time ago that was purported to be the work of Wayne Novak, however, there was no documention to this effect. The work appears to be first rate and I don't really question the validity of the claim, but it has no marking of Novak's on it either, the previous owner was supposedly pals with Wayne and it was done out of friendship, so I could understand no markings. Also, the tell tale signs of Novak's work are there and based on pictures, it looks like his work. So, I just wanted to show it here and see if anyone has firsthand experience ith Novaks can give an opinion based off of these pictures. Tell me what you think.

Looks like a Pete Single checkering job which would =Novaks.

Are there any marking on the cartridge pick up rail of the slide? (Where the disconnector notch is).

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Not a very good beavertail fit. But then I'm spoiled by seeing Chuck Rogers beavertail fit.

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Anthony, no, no markings on pick up rail at all. I had, at one point, talked to Novaks, and they mentioned the same thing, so I checked it. Also, here are a couple more pics to help out:

I have had 6-7 of their guns and I say that it looks the part.
The carry bevel and ejection port cut is identical to one I own and the beavertail fit looks like theirs too.

Take a look at the barrel lugs-if they are cut by hand and show file marks its a Novak. Everyone I have owned had a similar hand cut look.

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I would agree with Tony on this as another Novak owner. The checkering does look like Pete's work, which would be consistent. Did you speak to Wayne about the gun? I have found him very easy to deal with. BTW, nice gun, you should have a lot of fun with it. Dave

I too have had more than a dozen guns done by Wayne's shop over the past 20 or so years. The slide stop bevel looks similar to their work, along with the aforementioned Pete Single checkering.

Years ago, before the rise in number of very good 'smiths, it was easier to tell who did the work, even if it wasn't marked. Novak's did not and still does not place their mark on every gun they build - I think you have to request it (which I do, to go along with the work order).

I honestly don't know enough to answer your question, Anthony, about the handcut lugs, so, again, I'll let you decide:

That is a Kart Ez-fit barrel which does not require bottom lug fitting so I couldn't tell ya.

I would bet money that its either a Novak or a Wickmann gun.

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

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

It sure reminds me of a Novak that I had about 8 or 9 years ago.

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I've owned many Novak guns, and I'd say you've got one....98%.

Thanks for the replies guys. As I said originally, I didn't really doubt the validity of the claim, as it is top shelf work, in my opinion, but it is always nice to get some external validation and some warm fuzzies. I, too, thought about Wickman, as I am from Ohio too. I would be every bit as proud of it as a Wickman as I am a Novak. Too bad about his situation, whatever it was, he had a lot of talent!

Wickman worked at Novaks for some time, so even if it is a Wickman, its still a Novak gun. I have a Hipower from novaks that Wickman did about 9 years ago.