- Joined
- Aug 15, 2005
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This project started out three years ago. I had wanted to team up with Master Engraver Melissa McMinn on a project. We talked about a few ideas and landed on a "Day of the Dead" 1911 in .38 super. I secured an engravers kit from Colt, this is a 1911 without rollmarks. My work entailed welded the frame and refitting to the slide, a Kart NM barrel in .38 Super. All new internals, grip safety and so on. Then off to Melissa for her artistic work. We got a little sidetracked and delayed, she landed the John Wick 4 dueling pistol project which required her to engrave 6 Thompson Contenders for the finale duel scene. Which took all of her time. So we got delayed a year. She sent sketches and we went back and forth a little on design. Her work is magnificent and full of details, each time I look at it I see more detail. For the finish we went with charcoal blue, that does not damage the gold, silver and copper inlay. For the grips I went with classy mammoth ivory from Scott Kolar at SK grips. I think that anything else would take away from the engraving. The case is under construction. The project is for debut at the American Custom Gunmakers Guild show at the Dallas Safari Club show in Atlanta in January, then it will go on the market. It's a pleasure to work with so many gifted artists on a project like this. I hope you enjoy it.
