Beautification
On this particular Colt Eddie started with a beautiful perfectly fitted straight grain walnut stock with a hand rubbed finish, in the one-piece style of the early 1st generation Colts. Then it got what Peacemaker Specialists calls their “1880s Package.”
During the early years of Colt production the SAA was manufactured with many small details — adding up to a pistol comfortable to shoot as well as one visually appealing. During the retro-fitting for this project, Eddie included as many of these early Victorian-style details as possible, and the total package is a careful blend of these features. Alone they might be pleasant to look at, or feel good in the hand, but truly, the sum of the parts in this case adds up to much more than you might think possible.
No pistol recoiling in your hand should have sharp edges on the grip, so this one is neatly beveled at the heel and toe. Also, look for the bevel at the front of the ejector tube, and installation of a brass plated ejector spring as used on all 1880s Colt SAAs. The bevel is much easier on the leather on the inside of your holster, and it’s all authentic eye candy.
Beveling and re-fluting the cylinder not only look great — with the flutes bigger, wider, and round at the back — but remove the sharp corners at the front. Again, easier on the holster and your hands.
Polishing off the modern barrel address and caliber markings and re-stamping with the authentic-looking 1st generation “2-line” address and “45 Colt” caliber markings simply looks very classy. It’s the pride of ownership thing.
This next is a tiny thing, but adds much. Checkering the hammer spur and color case hardening it to match the frame seems minor, but it’s not. The personality of the gun comes to life when it’s cocked, and your thumb will find this small detail again and again. You’ll likely smile each time. It’s practical too, and while the expression of hand checkering with a fine line border speaks softly — it still makes a statement.
Eddie even hand stamped the serial numbers on the backstrap and trigger guard on this Colt. That’s a nice vintage touch, giving the Colt a turn of the century look. You’ll need to look closely for some touches, but they’re there, nonetheless.
The finish is strictly a 1st Generation style blue and color case hardening combo, celebrated with fire blue appointments. This may seem unrestrained extravagance to some, but there’s no denying the huge improvement over the stock shiny black oxide finish on modern Colts. Call it a celebration of immoderation.
Suddenly, you’re looking at a gun you might have admired resting in a curved glass display case in Tombstone in 1882. Imagine the clerk reaching in, green visor on his forehead, clicking open the gate as he thumbs back the hammer two clicks, handing it to you. “Be in town long?” he says, glancing at your dusty range gear, wondering if you can afford the $18 price tag.
“Nope, just passing with the herd, but I got my pay in my pocket. I’ll take the Colt, and two boxes of cat’ridges too.”
Think hard on this. Life is short, too short. After Eddie worked on my guns all those years ago, I commented I might carry an Italian clone when in the desert rather than messing up a Colt. “You’re nuts,” he said. “That’s crazy. Enjoy them while you can. Carry ’em, shoot ’em, appreciate what you have. You worked hard for them, so use them!” He’s right, you know.
For more info:
Peacemaker Specialists
(805) 238-9100
144 Via Fuchsia,
Paso Robles, CA 93446
http://www.peacemakerspecialists.com//
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