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 Post subject: A Gentleman's Colt
PostPosted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 7:29 pm 
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You get lucky every now and again in this business in that just about the time that you start getting a little jaded, a little "take things for granted"; a customer will start you on a project that really gets you cranked up and going. The foundation of this custom is a pre-Series '70 Colt which was manufactured in 1969. Right about the time I was realizing that maybe girls were cool after all. I remember coming to grips with the reality that a new SS 396 Chevelle was $6000.00 and that my paper route would probably have to get a lot larger if I was ever going to save the purchase price. Never did get the Chevelle.......... but I did get to do some cool stuff to an equally neat artifact of that era, the Commercial.

The owner of the pistol gave me some straight forward instructions and then told me that it was going for some engraving after I was done. It was a real treat for me, in that I got to build on a real classic, the owner had some very nice engraving done to it, the engraver, J.R. French was a delight to work with and it turned out rather nice, if I do say so.

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Last edited by John Harrison on Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:05 am, edited 2 times in total.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 7:57 pm 
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Now that is what i call "full house".

Great job John.
JR French is an exceptional engaver.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 8:07 pm 
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HOLY GUNSMOKE :!: that is gorgeous-cameron


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 8:13 pm 
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Now that is one cool BBQ gun! I really like the engraving. Oh boy, now I gotta get a vintage pony. Ok, ok John, I understand, one project at a time. :D . Very nice work. Congrats on accepting the challenge. That is one beautiful gun.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:17 am 
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Wow :shock: John it looks perfect in every way, but can it shoot? :P



Bravo!
:D

Jim

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:29 am 
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Engraving doesn't usually do much for me.

THAT does a lot for me!

Amazing work by both parties. We all hear the term "complementing each others work" from time to time, but a better example would be hard to find.

That is a beauty, and I'd be proud to carry it, shoot it, or just lick on it a little bit.
Um, well, you know.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:39 am 
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That is an amazing piece of functional art. Just beautiful. I saw the "before" and it is hard to believe it is the same pistol. Great job by all involved.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 8:21 am 
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There is only one way to describe that gun and I hope I don't offend anybody's gentle sensibilities, But.......................HOLY sh$t! John your work on that gun is second to none. JR is an outstanding craftsman.
What a beautiful joint effort.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 8:27 am 
You just don't see a lot of finely engraved firearms these days. That one is just stunning! Very tastefully done.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 9:50 am 
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I'd say that's quite a bit better than 'rather nice' :D . I'm not normally big on engraving, but that looks fantastic.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 10:10 am 
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Holy bling bling batman. That's way cool. I bet this gun is about the same price as that Chevelle. I wish we could have hooked up last weekend and show this gun to the Man from OH.

BTW John, since you didn't get the Chevelle, did you get the girl? :)


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 2:00 pm 
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Beautiful, John. Just absolutely beautiful.

Just so you're not too bummed out over the Chevelle, I watched a 1970 SS396 convertible sell for 1.2 million dollars at the Barret Jackson auction this year. Guy probably had a gun like this one already, too :roll:

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 2:14 pm 
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John,

That is the nicest gun I have seen yet on these forums. I can only hope to own one like it someday. Even without the very nice engraving, it is a helluva nice build. From the choice components to the outside appearance, it is first class. Well done, indeed.

Where did you get those grips with the old style medallions? I have been trying to get a set for a while.

Again, great job, sir.

~Jim Keeney

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:39 pm 
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Generally I loathe engraving but that is one really nice looking gun.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 5:48 pm 
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Beautifull firearm!!! I just e-mailed the gentleman who did the engraving, because it looked so good.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:32 pm 
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very nice :shock:


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 4:31 am 
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OUTSTANDING job, John - a real beauty!!!!

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:26 am 
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The engraving merely adds further compliment to a beautifully built Colt, John. An excellent build, my friend.

Many years ago I owned a '69 Chevelle SS. A powerful beast as I recall....

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 3:50 pm 
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John-

That is magnificent! I think the thread title is very appropriate, too. I hope the "Gentleman" carries it. It is indeed something to be shown off!

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 6:27 pm 
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Quote:
Wow :shock: John it looks perfect in every way, but can it shoot? :P



Bravo!
:D

Jim
Yep!

Image

This was the last group of todays test fire session.

Guys, thank you all for the kind comments. This has been a real treat to build and finish this pistol.

At the finish line, I'm now into the classic struggle between good and evil (complete with miniature Angel and Devil on each shoulder, whispering in each ear) to do the right thing and ship it on to the customer :D or concoct some totally bogus excuse and keep the pistol it for myself. :twisted:

I know what I'll do, 'cause were I to opt for plan B (suggested by the little red guy with the pitchfork), my Mama would come back from Heaven and "snatch me bald headed" like I was threatened with in my mis-spent youth :shock: :wink: . I guess those threats served their purpose 'cause I'm looking for the packing tape!

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


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:22 am 
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or concoct some totally bogus excuse and keep the pistol it for myself. Tell him your dog ate it :)

I wonder what holster is worthy to carry this exquisite weapon, surely he won't stuff it in kydex.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:14 am 
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That is an awesome looking pistol!! What craftsmenship!


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 5:49 pm 
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Quote:
Kip wrote:
Wow John it looks perfect in every way, but can it shoot?



Bravo!


Jim


Yep!



This was the last group of todays test fire session.Image

Ya, that should do the trick :wink:

Very Nice Mr. Harrison, your the Man.


Jim

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 Post subject: Genleman's Colt
PostPosted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 6:07 pm 
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Location: Atlantic Beach NC
Quote:
Wow :shock: John it looks perfect in every way, but can it shoot? :P



Bravo!
:D

Jim
I hear that the owner is going to shoot this beauty. Anyone know if there is any truth in that? I also hear that the owner is indeed a true gentleman.

Steve


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 2:25 am 
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I've met the owner of this pistol, he is a gentleman. I hear that not only he's going to shoot this gun, he's going to carry it. Good for him.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 9:35 am 
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I once owned the pistol that was the basis for this beautiful work of art, and the gentleman who now owns it graciously invited me to shoot it when John took it to the range for the final range test. You can believe I accepted that invitation.

In person, this pistol is stunning. I spent a good fifteen minutes looking this pistol over at every possible angle. The precision metalwork, the engraving, the finish, and the ivory grips form a cohesive whole. My first thought was that this pistol is the epitome of what a Texas Ranger would carry. Watching John shoot the picture and shooting the pistol only reinforced that thought. Accuracy, reliability, and beauty all in one package. And yes, this pistol is a shooter. I would have no qualms about holstering this one.

It was an honor to shoot the finished pistol, and I had a blast at the range with John. BTW, John can shoot pretty darn well.

Special thanks to the owner for inviting me to shoot it. He truly is a gentleman.

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 Post subject: Gentleman's Colt
PostPosted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:27 am 
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Location: Atlantic Beach NC
I was being a bit tongue in cheek in my earlier post as the owner of this Colt recently yanked my chain pretty well. I also was fortunate enough to have done business with the owner several months ago. After buying a very nice custom Colt from him I was left with the clear impression that I had dealt with a real gentleman.

Were it not immodest this thread could have been titled, "A Gentleman's Colt Built By A Gentleman". Who wouldn't want to own a Colt that the gun builder himself would like to own? I still haven't figured out how you pour that much of yourself in a project only to hand it over to someone else.

Farscott, I am definately envious. You can bet if I am ever in the same state as the owner and the Colt I will take him up on his generous offer to let me shoot it.

Steve


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 4:23 am 
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Mr Harrison,

I am sorry I havent gotten around to posting on this. First and foremost Im definately not austentatious enough to ever want engraving on my pistol...well that statement was true until today...it is a masterful build and amazingly tasteful engraving. I envy your customer... I do hope it gets carried and shot. It seems such a waste to have something of that quality gathering dust.

Jim

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:13 am 
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John, I was typing up some comments several days ago when I saw this beaut, but deleted them, cause they all sounded somewhat repetitive. Fact is, this gun is just damn gorgeous. Don't know how to break it down any better than that. Your usual stellar work, combined with Mr. Frenchs engraving came out - well, just right. I'd make a lot of copies of the pics, and proudly put them everywhere. You deserve the accolades on this one. Best,

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:45 am 
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I just visted the website of Mr French.
To repeat (myself and others), I've never really cared for engraving, although I do appreciate the talent and skill.
However...I have to go out in the yard and get my socks, because they were knocked that far off me. The HiPower shown there did it.


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