Pistol Dynamics 'Project Profile'

'Retro' Inspired Signature 45
One of our more interesting projects to date was this retro-inspired 1911 ('inspired' being the operative word). We were challenged to design a pistol influenced by the early days of the 1911 tinkerers (when customizing was in its infancy) but include some features that would have been futuristic during that time and perhaps inject it with a little Art Deco influence . This project ended up taking a little more brain time than we planned. We had to decide which of the original pre-A1parts would be used and which would be redesigned. The beavertail had to have the ergonomics of a modern grip safety but look like something that was supposed to be there; taking into account the period hammer, slide stop and safety. We made two versions; and ended up blending a variation of the Jim Hogue and David Sheer originals - proving that good design is timeless. (Dave Sheer designed the first pivoting beavertail for a 1911.)
The frame and slide we used were PD blanks to pre-A1 specs in keeping with the theme. We had to make some technical decisions though: cut the slide for an external extractor (similar to that which JB had in mind for the gun before it was ruled out of the piece) or install the traditional internal unit. We eventually settled on an internal extractor but, as can be seen from the photo on the left, the gun was practically ready to test fire and we still hadn't cut the extractor tunnel.

The rear sight was a different story. We wanted it to look like a high visibility sight of years gone by but we also needed it to be snag-free. We took a small block of 4140, cut a dovetail in it and stuffed it on the slide and styled it in place. We think we got it right the first time.
We used many authentic 1911 parts on the pistol, i.e. the safety, slide stop, and trigger; we also exercised our prerogative a little by adding National Match inspired cocking serrations and a longitudinal dovetail front sight so that we could have the ability to regulate the sights and not have to silver-solder the front post. We used a Match-Grade Stainless barrel bushing and checkered the plug. The barrel was marked with the caliber only. The gun was built to Commander length (which placed it out of period) but we 'ball cut' the slide to emulate the original slides. The roughed out piece was then handed over to Doug Turnbull Restoration, Inc. in New York for the final finishing. They polished the pistol and applied a combination high luster rust and nitre blue which is absolutely stunning and simply can't be done justice with internet images; which is part of the reason we are showing the gun in the white here. Interestingly, it's a real shooter. The owner carries this gun on a regular basis.
Pistol Dynamics - 2510 Kirby Ave. N.E. - Palm Bay, Florida - 32905 - 321.733.1266 www.pistoldynamics.com - info@pistoldynamics.com