Old school 1911's

[Gary @ R&G]

I am currently building a Charlie Kelsey/Devel inspired 1911. That and the Pachmayr CS I just picked up got me thinking about innovations by the old time smiths.

Behlerts finger groove front strap



Swensons barrel positioner



Swenson, Behlert, Hoag squared trigger guard


Behlerts screw in bushing for 1911 and BHP

[AxeHandle]

Fling those PM CS pics up here too! We'll inspire somebody to buy it!

[Gary @ R&G]

This is my second Pachmayr gun. The first was an old C series built in the late 60's. Mike LaRocca traded me out of it.

[AxeHandle]

Man! You guys just don't realize what a bad custom 1911 itch I have.... I keep having flashbacks of my old Pachmyer CS everytime I look at those pics... Tried to call the old buddy I traded if off to 20 years ago... He wasn't home... Perhaps if I can hold out a few more days one of our forum fruitcakes will buy it!

[kimr]

Dont forget the Berdon "mousetrap"spring to push the bbl up into the slide!

[Gary @ R&G]

Actually the mousetrap was invented by RL Shockey of El Reno Oklahoma. He called it his "accuracy improver" but it became known as the mousetrap. The only guns I have seen with the mousetrap were Shockeys (and they are pretty common out here as El Reno is 35 miles west). Abe Berdon and Alton Dinan were contemporaries of Shockey's so who knows whose idea it was.

from a Gil Hebard catalog. (forgive the length)

Richard L. Shockey, El Reno, Oklahoma. Machinist, inventor, master
pistol shot, gentleman and fabricator of fine target weapons. It is
with pride that we offer his guns to our customers ... in he and Jim
Clark we have two of the foremost pistol smiths in the country.

Shockey’s background qualifies him well for the exacting science of
custom gunning. He served his machinist’s apprenticeship from 1928
to 1932 at the Landis Machine Co., in Waynesboro, PA. From 1932 to
1940 he was tool, die and gauge maker for the York Corporation at
York, PA. From 1940 to 1948 he was tool room foreman for the Naval
Ordnance Plant at York, PA. 1948 to 1953 found him working for the
Department of Justice at the Federal prison at El Reno, OK, where he
superintended the setting up their machine shop with full
responsibility for production, quality control, design and metallurgy.

Through all these years Shockey was a registered pistol shooter
(still is for that matter, Master classification) and is one of the
few who has actively participated in the pistol game during the
greater part of its modern day history. 1952 to 1954 were years
devoted to experiment and invention and his growing interest in the
shooter’s equipment problems, ammunition, ballistics, re-loading and
the perfection of weapons, finally overcame his interest in the
perfection of match scores, with the result that he decided to
combine his engineering “know how” with his hobby and devote full
time to pistolsmithing and related problems.

His success as a pistolsmith has been phenomenal. In the past 10
years he has established himself as one of the country’s best. His
guns are in the hands of many top Military and Civilian shooters,
who are using them with great and continued success.

If you decide on a Shockey you can rest assured that you are
getting a gun redesigned by a man whose mechanical background
coupled with his shooter’s knowledge of what the shooter needs,
results in one of the best engineered and most accurate guns available.

Shockey Custom Heavy Slide .45

The heavy-slide .45, with its light recoil and pleasant handling
characteristics has long been popular with many shooters, especially
those who do not have the opportunity to practice or shoot a great
deal. Its practical worth has been proven by a good number of name
shooters and the championships they have won.

The Shockey Heavy-Slide includes every feature, and is identical in
every way, to his famous Deluxe Custom .45 (opposite page) except a
Bo-Mar Low Profile Rib has been utilized in place of the extended
sight and frame weights. The result is a beautifully-handling,
super-accurate gun weighing 44 ounces and with 7 1/8” sight radius.
Trigger pull is approximately 3 1/2 - 3 3/4 pounds (or to your
specifications.) Designed for factory wadcutter ammunition or
reloads equivalent to 3.5 grains of Bullseye. Machine rest test
target, instructions and written guarantee supplied with each gun.
Shockey Heavy Slide .45 ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
..... Prepaid $179.50

Shockey’s fresh approach to the accurizing problem has resulted in
a gun, while similar in many respects to others, nevertheless has
unique features which make it outperform and outwear other custom
guns. The guns are proven performers and their accuracy and
reliability is now well established among critical shooters over the
country.

All Shockey custom .45 autos are equipped with the Shockey heavy
duty barrel bushing. This bushing is precision fit to the
individual slide and also fit to closest possible tolerance to the
outside diameter of the barrel. Aside from adding to accuracy this
heavy bushing protects the careful crowning job on the muzzle, and
is much more durable than a factory bushing.

All Shockey .45’s are now fitted with the exclusive and Patented
Accuracy Improver and Recoil Reducer. This maintains a constant
pressure on the barrel which compensates for any wear that might
develop. More important, it reduces recoil, as the spring roller is
working at all times during the complete cycle of the gun. This
slows down the action somewhat, giving a heavy slide effect,
reducing the twisting action of the gun and prolonging life of the
accuracy job. Practically indestructible, it is especially valuable
where relatively destructive GI or heavy loads are being used.
However, the shooter of light .45 loads will gain the same
advantages too, and will particularly like the cushioning effect the
device produces.

The Deluxe Custom .45 Auto

Pride of the Shockey stable! Shockey has spared no expense in the
development of this gun, and it has proven to be absolutely one of
the finest .45 customs available. Its accuracy is amazing -- 1
1/4” groups or less guaranteed at 25 yards from a machine rest.

The extension sight gives a much needed 8 3/4” radius. The weights
ahead of the trigger guard add 4 3/4 ounces (including DETACHABLE
tube weight of 1 3/4 oz.). The forestrap is beautifully done in a
matte (stippled) finish to minimize slippage in the hand. The
precision Bo-Mar Deluxe sight tops off this masterpiece of gun
fabrication.

New Colt .45 Autos are used exclusively. They are completely
accurized, refitted and tightened. The patented Accuracy Improver
and Recoil Reducer, and heavy duty bushing is included. It has a
complete trigger job including hand-honed action, trigger stop,
removal of excess play, speed hammer, etc. Trigger pull to your
specifications (approx. 3 3/4 lbs. otherwise). Total weight 44 1/2
oz. empty. Machine rest test targets, instructions, recommended
loading information and written guarantee included with each gun.
For those who desire the best, this gun certainly deserves the most
serious consideration.
Prepaid ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... $192.50

Shockey Hard Ball .45 Custom Auto

The Shockey Hard Ball Custom is accurized and re-worked internally,
exactly the same as the Deluxe Custom .45 listed above. Meets all
competitive rules . . . has every desirable feature allowable under
service match rules.

The Patented Recoil Reducer is of special value in this gun when
shooting the heavy load service ammunition. The Deluxe Bo-Mar sight
with undercut front post gives a sight radius just under the
allowable 7”. Completely rebuilt and accurized to Shockey’s highest
standards. Handles hand-loads equally well so makes a superb dual
purpose weapon.

Sold with test target, instructions and written guarantee.
Prepaid ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... $169.50

[Markbo]

Gary I have never seen a trigger set up like that one in the first pic. Can you tell me about it please?

[Gary @ R&G]

That is a Louis Seecamp double action conversion on a Behlert mini combat. The trigger pivots in the frame. It has a draw bar on the right side that allows double action function. The shortened factory trigger behind the pivoting trigger allows for normal SA function when cocked. Clear as mud?

Behlert also had a patented pivoting trigger for single actions. the back of the pivoting trigger contacted the shortened factory trigger giving a mechancial advantage which resulted in a sub 3 pund trigger pull.