ltwguns.com

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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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.

Now that is what i call "full house".

Great job John.
JR French is an exceptional engaver.

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

CHECK OUT MY CUSTOM 1911 BLOG
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HOLY GUNSMOKE that is gorgeous-cameron

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. . Very nice work. Congrats on accepting the challenge. That is one beautiful gun.

Wow John it looks perfect in every way, but can it shoot?



Bravo!


Jim

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An amateur practices until he gets it right. A professional practices until he never gets it wrong. Anon

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.

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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Scott

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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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

You just don't see a lot of finely engraved firearms these days. That one is just stunning! Very tastefully done.

I'd say that's quite a bit better than 'rather nice' . I'm not normally big on engraving, but that looks fantastic.

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?

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

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

TR

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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"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

Generally I loathe engraving but that is one really nice looking gun.

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"Domari Nolo"

Beautifull firearm!!! I just e-mailed the gentleman who did the engraving, because it looked so good.

very nice

OUTSTANDING job, John - a real beauty!!!!

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Bob Rodgers
http://www.rodgerspistolsmithing.com
e-mail: bob@rodgerspistolsmithing.com
(870) 499-3125

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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CT Brian Custom
'Blending Art With Firepower'

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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Sic Semper Tyrannis

Yep!



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 or concoct some totally bogus excuse and keep the pistol it for myself.

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 . I guess those threats served their purpose 'cause I'm looking for the packing tape!

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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.

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.

That is an awesome looking pistol!! What craftsmenship!

Ya, that should do the trick

Very Nice Mr. Harrison, your the Man.


Jim

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An amateur practices until he gets it right. A professional practices until he never gets it wrong. Anon

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

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.

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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Scott

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

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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"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin , 1759

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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Don Williams
http://www.theactionworks.com
http://www.ltwguns.com

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.