ltwguns.com

My latest Behlert Mini Combat. I owe and big thanks to Jason and Rick. This one is a 45 acp built on a 1943 Remington Rand GI 1911A1. Typical Behlert features. Finger groove front strap stippled below finger groove. Austin would silver solder a ring on the grip frame then cut off the excess and shape it. Hooked and stippled trigger guard. Reshape slide top into a serrated rib. Behlert rear sight with ramp front. Fabricated short stippled MSH. Pinned grip safety (lawyers werent as common in those days). Fabricated extended safety. Behlert screw-in bushing. Barrel shortened welded and modified to one locking lug.

The price list is from the late 70's. I believe this gun would date to that era if not a little earlier.

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Gary Eastridge
http://www.randgfirearms.com

Gary...that is superb, as are so many of the items in your collection!! I hope you are managing to stay dry out there this week!
I am curious about one thing...how does the combination of the finger grooves and the arched mainspring feel? I hate fingergrooves on grips, etc. because they always hit me exactly where my fingers seem to naturally go. Just curious as to how that combo works on this one...looks pretty "fat" through the grips for me.--John

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

I dont care for the finger groove. But I really admire the work to put it on and make it look right. I have seen a few that looked hideous but Austins seem to flow well with the lines of the pistols. I do like it on the 2 Behlert Walthers I have.

The stubby arched MSH feels pretty good.

You should have a package in a day or so.

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Gary Eastridge
http://www.randgfirearms.com

Very cool 'ol gun Gary... glad to see you got it!

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Heirloom Precision
http://www.heirloomprecision.com

I officially hate you! I've wanted a Behlert gun since the early '70s. Only I deserve to own it! Now that I've got that out of my system, congratulations on another great acquisition. I'm glad that someone who appreciates the efforts of the early masters is preserving these gems. Lots more to find and preserve. Shelton and Ciamillo did some of these choppers, too.
How about show us some of the details. I'd like to see under the grips to see how he cut/welded the butt. How about a shot of the screw in bushing (probably looks just like his HiPower screw in). Detail shot of his extended thumb safety and mainspring housing. We want details!!!!!!!

That's just beyond cool.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE
Thunder Ranch THG & UR(x2), Gunsite 250C,
Yavapai Firearms Acad HG1(x2), HG2, & SG,
Shootrite Prvt Inst HG, NRA Life Member

BBBBBBBBill, heres a link to a thread I posted some time back detailing a lot of the little features of the Behlert minis.

http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/vie ... ht=autopsy

If you like Behlerts hit this link to my website. I have been collecting them for about 3-4 years. Up to 15 now.

http://www.randgfirearms.com/page13.html

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Gary Eastridge
http://www.randgfirearms.com

Hey, thanks Gary. Funny, I actually posted in that thread, too. I've been to your website before to look. Great stuff. I'm totally jealous. When you feel froggy, some more detail pics would be appreciated. I cut my teeth on articles about Behlert, Clark, Chow, Ciamillo, et al. Good to see them remembered as the pioneers for todays crop of smiths. While todays guns are really better, they would not be what they are without these guys leading the way.

very cool pistol, gary

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Thanks very much,
Robert (13.45)
NRA Benefactor Life member