Post by kings6 on Nov 13, 2019 13:04:32 GMT -5
With John listing the 44 Special flat top conversion on GB that many of us are watching or bidding on I thought I'd share a few pictures of this guns brother. John had two old model 357 flat tops he was saving for these projects and his goal was to make them into 44 Specials based on Skeeter Skelton's original 44 Special conversions. We all know how there was a period of time when the 44 Special was not readily available in a revolver and Skeeter started a campaign to change this by asking readers to send notes and letters to a couple of gun manufacturers after he wrote a couple of articles about converting 357 three screw and model 28 S&W type guns into 44 Special.
As John realized the time constraints his illness was going to be placing on his ability to continue working, he worked to get both of these conversions done. Both have fit and finishes upgraded, conversions to 44 Special and new front sights regulated for the classic 7.5 grains of Unique with a 250 grain Keith style bullet. He did include his logo on the top straps and even regulated the action screws on these guns as well. Once I found out John was completing the two guns I had had down there for a number of years I asked him if he had any use for one of his previous built guns that I had in the safe. The gun was the octagon barrel, long cylinder 44 mag bisley with the stag grips, Bowen sights etc. I told him if he did I would trade that gun back to him in exchange for one of the two flat top conversion Skeeter guns. He said he would love to do that so I sent him the Bisley and he sent me one of the flat tops along with the JT/SS gun and the OM 45. Once the gun arrived his son Isaac said he had never seen one of his dads long cylinder conversions and in fact, they did not even have an octagon barrel revolver of Johns of their own. I think that octagon Bisley will stay a family gun which is truly its best use and highest value in my book.
Anyway, here is the second of the two flat top conversions, the twin to the one listed on GB right now.
Now as soon as David Clements bisley spurred hammer arrives it will be complete!
As John realized the time constraints his illness was going to be placing on his ability to continue working, he worked to get both of these conversions done. Both have fit and finishes upgraded, conversions to 44 Special and new front sights regulated for the classic 7.5 grains of Unique with a 250 grain Keith style bullet. He did include his logo on the top straps and even regulated the action screws on these guns as well. Once I found out John was completing the two guns I had had down there for a number of years I asked him if he had any use for one of his previous built guns that I had in the safe. The gun was the octagon barrel, long cylinder 44 mag bisley with the stag grips, Bowen sights etc. I told him if he did I would trade that gun back to him in exchange for one of the two flat top conversion Skeeter guns. He said he would love to do that so I sent him the Bisley and he sent me one of the flat tops along with the JT/SS gun and the OM 45. Once the gun arrived his son Isaac said he had never seen one of his dads long cylinder conversions and in fact, they did not even have an octagon barrel revolver of Johns of their own. I think that octagon Bisley will stay a family gun which is truly its best use and highest value in my book.
Anyway, here is the second of the two flat top conversions, the twin to the one listed on GB right now.
Now as soon as David Clements bisley spurred hammer arrives it will be complete!