somd_mustangs
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- Jul 1, 2012
- 5,753
Warning: Colt purists may want to avert their eyes...
Because of the target grips and compensator, I was able to grab this one for way less than they typically go for - bought it to shoot, not to collect for a change. This one was mfg in 1952 and is near mint with its original box. Although the grips look hideous (to me anyway) they are very high quality hardwood with custom hand engraving, made by Beckelhymer out of Laredo, Texas. They were a big-time custom supplier in the 1950's and 60's, and the compensator also is marked Beckelhymer. The grips just don't work for me either in looks or feel, so I put some Hogue cocobolo's on there and grabbed a barrel bushing out of the parts bin - big difference (it's a Type III so has the "fat" barrel with standard OD). The combination of polished blue sides and matte top/bottom/grip straps is awesome. Other than the "idiot scratch" it's in near perfect shape and probably had one mag run through it and then it got put away. It's been in storage since at least the early 60's, so still need to do a detail pin-out cleaning before taking it out for a spin - the 50 year old gun oil has turned into a sticky varnished mess and everything is sluggish.
Because of the target grips and compensator, I was able to grab this one for way less than they typically go for - bought it to shoot, not to collect for a change. This one was mfg in 1952 and is near mint with its original box. Although the grips look hideous (to me anyway) they are very high quality hardwood with custom hand engraving, made by Beckelhymer out of Laredo, Texas. They were a big-time custom supplier in the 1950's and 60's, and the compensator also is marked Beckelhymer. The grips just don't work for me either in looks or feel, so I put some Hogue cocobolo's on there and grabbed a barrel bushing out of the parts bin - big difference (it's a Type III so has the "fat" barrel with standard OD). The combination of polished blue sides and matte top/bottom/grip straps is awesome. Other than the "idiot scratch" it's in near perfect shape and probably had one mag run through it and then it got put away. It's been in storage since at least the early 60's, so still need to do a detail pin-out cleaning before taking it out for a spin - the 50 year old gun oil has turned into a sticky varnished mess and everything is sluggish.