Joined
·
1,636 Posts
I just scored a custom "Mastergrade" Colt Commander built by Jim Hoag in 1978 
To put that in perspective, the "first generation" of Custom 1911 'smiths were named (in order of appearance) Swenson, Hoag, and Pachmayr. Arnold "Al" Capone is sometimes wedged in between Swenson and Hoag, but there is some question about whether Hoag did the work credited to Capone.
Custom work done on a Mastergrade:
Profiled and checkered front strap
Profiled and checkered MSH
Squared and checkered trigger guard
Frame reshaped for cosmetic match with new trigger guard
Profiled and checkered rear of slide (and extractor)
Extreme low mount Bomar sight
Hammer reshaped and recut to clear Bomar sight and grip safety
Frame tangs welded up and shaped for cosmetics and super high hold
Hoag custom grip safety - Made from 3 pieces - ears brazed to Colt safety
Swenson SS thumb safety fitted to slide cut
Customized Hoag slide release
Pachmayr combat grips with front strap section removed
Colt GCNM trigger - wide trigger required frame opening work
Bar-Sto barrel - Slide and barrel fitted at hood for zero play - A Hoag only option
SS custom bushing
Slide fitted to frame and otherwise modified for enhanced lockup
Frame and Slide flats mirror polished
Top of slide matted and grooved
All internal parts hand fitted
Critical frame areas welded up and recut
Pins and frame holes squared and fitted
Frame and slide reblued
That work ran around $600 in 1978
Care to guess what that would cost TODAY?
The mirror-like finish is not apparent in the photo. I swapped back the Colt slide-stop and thumb safety for range use:
To put that in perspective, the "first generation" of Custom 1911 'smiths were named (in order of appearance) Swenson, Hoag, and Pachmayr. Arnold "Al" Capone is sometimes wedged in between Swenson and Hoag, but there is some question about whether Hoag did the work credited to Capone.
Custom work done on a Mastergrade:
Profiled and checkered front strap
Profiled and checkered MSH
Squared and checkered trigger guard
Frame reshaped for cosmetic match with new trigger guard
Profiled and checkered rear of slide (and extractor)
Extreme low mount Bomar sight
Hammer reshaped and recut to clear Bomar sight and grip safety
Frame tangs welded up and shaped for cosmetics and super high hold
Hoag custom grip safety - Made from 3 pieces - ears brazed to Colt safety
Swenson SS thumb safety fitted to slide cut
Customized Hoag slide release
Pachmayr combat grips with front strap section removed
Colt GCNM trigger - wide trigger required frame opening work
Bar-Sto barrel - Slide and barrel fitted at hood for zero play - A Hoag only option
SS custom bushing
Slide fitted to frame and otherwise modified for enhanced lockup
Frame and Slide flats mirror polished
Top of slide matted and grooved
All internal parts hand fitted
Critical frame areas welded up and recut
Pins and frame holes squared and fitted
Frame and slide reblued
That work ran around $600 in 1978
Care to guess what that would cost TODAY?
The mirror-like finish is not apparent in the photo. I swapped back the Colt slide-stop and thumb safety for range use:
Attachments
-
45.6 KB Views: 455