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Ted and I get to do allot of neat projects at the shop, all of them built one at a time with functional and detail embellishments being our key focal points. Throughout this we tend to follow a time-tested formula with modifications being done for functional, stylistic, and cosmetic reasons while still making each gun a “one of a kind”, if only in slightly different ways.

And sometimes we get to do projects that start to deviate from the normal ‘Yost’ interpretation of gun and end somehow different from the style of gun we are known for. So over the next week or so I’ll be posting pictures of a few of the “different” guns or “different iterations” of guns that we’ve recently completed. First up is a truly one of a kind Hi-Power that Ted built for a good friend and customer of the shop.



At first glance this gun may not look so different from Ted’s normal style. And truth is it’s probably not, as it is as close to a Yost Signature Grade 1911 that I’ve ever seen Hi-Power become. What makes this gun different is the details that Ted has never before imparted on a Hi-Power. Not may Hi-Powers garner the Signature Grade moniker, since most of those are checkered and that can be hard considering the often-encountered location of the serial number. So apart from the normal Yost Hi-Power fare of flattening and serrating the slide, reliability work, hand made thumb safety, gold line front sight, beveled mag-well, etc. this gun got a few cool extras.

The flattened and serrated slide top was enhanced with our curved arrow pattern, something I believe Ted has only done one other time on a Hi-Power. A beavertail and trigger travel reduction were of course in order as was a bordered slide and serrated rear of the slide. But the really cool extras are the nitre blue accents on the extractor, trigger pin, stock screws, firing pin, and mag-catch lock as well as the 50lpi checkering front and rear... yup 50lpi. Checkering a Hi-Power can be hard enough, throw in doing it at 40lpi and you’ve got another wrinkle... but checker it a 50pli and it becomes a whole new ball of wax!

If you ask Ted he’d probably shrug it off and say “ah, nothin' to it” but having watched this gun come together I would argue that it’s more like the other thing Ted likes to say, “if it was easy everyone would do it”. Enjoy the pics...

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Heirloom Precision
http://www.heirloomprecision.com

WOW

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"Semper Fi"

Nice pics, JB...as usual. Thanks for posting them.

This project was indeed a special one for me. Another "unique" treatment not mentioned is the SRT logo - this one is a one of a kind logo, and isn't nearly so much a model description for the gun, but a monogram. This gun belongs to SRT - that fabled, world famous afficionado of all things Grand Puissance. Jim only gave me one instruction on the gun - "I'd like something a bit different, sort of a one of a kind piece". I hope this one measures up.

Enjoy, my friend.

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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

Holy shirt ... that has to be the nicest HP I ever seen. If your client/friend plans to shoot this beauty (wouldn't blame him if he doesn't), can we get a range report?

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"When the sword is once drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation." ~Alexander Hamilton

I don't even like HP's that much, and this one looks damn fine to me. It's those little details that novices like myself wouldn't even notice if you didn't point them out. When I saw the first picture I said to myself "Why do I like that so much?". Great work, and super pics!

Oh my, that is just so very kewl.

I thought I remembered SRT posting something about having a Signature Grade HiPower coming several months ago. When the words "Signature Grade" and "HiPower" were used together, it stuck in my mind.
I was looking forward to seeing this one. When I saw the different "SRT" used, I thought this must be it.

And a dandy it is.
Since the rest of us can get, and many have got, SRTs like his others, I'm glad that he has one Super SRT to stand out from those.

I do like a checkered Hi Power. Might have to have the Yost crew build me another one.

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NRA Life Member
Charter Member NRA Golden Eagles

Very nicely done, the fine checkering of the straps may become a new trend.....hummm.............

WOW! Gorgeous work!

Jim, I'm a bit jealous! From one ol' Kansas boy to another... congratulations! Keep it close to you. I'm coming through your fine town later this month and I'm sure you wouldn't want it walking away!

Mark

Awesome! That is one of the finest BHP's I've ever seen!!

That front strap is AMAZING!

what an amazing pistol...when i saw pic 1 i thought the "strippling" looked different.....but i never imagined 50lpi. well done ted and jason....BTW, whose leather is that??-cam

The rear of that slide is crazy... and the nitre blue accents... 50 LPI on a Hi-Power? Wow... Where you to start? So well done it blows my mind!

Not a big HP fan either, but that very nice example is very persuasive. Extremely cool.

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"Oderint Dum Metuant."

You hope it meaures up - the ruler isn't long enough, Ted! Jason's pictures are great, as usual, but the camera hasn't been invented that can capture the true beauty of this masterpiece.

Although I've grown accustom to Yost perfection over the years, you have exceeded my expectations. The Hi-Power was designed by John M. Browning, improved by FN designer Dieudonne Saive after Browning's death and, IMHO, PERFECTED by Master Ted Yost. It doesn't get any better!

Thanks, Ted, not only for all your skill and effort in producing the magnificent BHP, but also for your friendship over the years. I enjoyed our visit and lunch with Jason and Tom, despite the 114 degree, supposedly dry heat of Arizona.

Jim

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"... behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him."

Wow. Nice to see a none stippled frontstrap treatment !!!!
50 lpi checkering . I had always thought the frontstrap on a P-35
needed to be 'enhanced' due to its relatively thin construction prior
to checkering. Fantastic work. SRT you are a lucky man.

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"The sunshine bores the daylights outta me....."

Keith Richards

I had the good fortune to see this gun in person and it is truly a work of art in every respect. I also had the pleasure of actually getting to hold it in my hands since I was with SRT during his visit. He handed it to me to let me fondle it.

Made me just a little nervous while holding it for obvious reasons, but it was joy to handle, and to be able to examine all the details that Ted is so well known for.

It is a beauty and I know for a fact it has a very good home now. As I recall the wait was quite long, however I suspect SRT will tell us it was worth the wait.

There is not a finer looking custom than a BHP with the perfectly executed lines such as this fine piece. Checkering a BHP is a skill not many gunsmith's posess. For that matter, not many checkerer's are willing to do it. Beautiful piece!

Wow. That is fabulous.

I keep coming back to this thread. That strap checkering keeps sucking me in--it's simply mezmerising!

We have a Texas-ism here to describe something that fine: "Finer than frog's hair." In this case, we'd take it a step further and say it's "Finer than frog's hair split four ways."

-Matt

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"If it has breasts or a motor, you're gonna have trouble with it."

Love that finish. Is it hot blue, or something more esoteric?

want one bad now

Ted,

As usual, an amazing work of art. I have never really looked at the High Power, but that SRT has made me want one now. I really like the rounded slide rear and the circular flat with serrations....it is just the right touch of class. Of course, who would'nt like the fine front and rear checkering of the frames grip. Truly masterful!

tex45acp

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"In Texas, if you kill someone, were gonna kill ya right back"

Ron White-Blue Collar Comedy Tour

Without a doubt the nicest BHP I have ever seen. If each gun is better than the last, I can't wait to see the next one.

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Clyde, You've got 3 pistols and only one arm for Christ sake....
I just don't want to get killed for lacka shootin back.
"Unforgiven"

Uuhhh.... speechless... That's just plain showing off!!! Beautiful HP!!!