Cody Museum

When I went to Great Falls Montana for our HSCA meeting, I got a chance to drive down to Cody Wyoming and visit the Cody Museum.  I am not a museum person, but this one has something for everyone.  When I got to gun wing, I finally found the High Standard display all from the Franklin A. & Barbara G. Bereny Foundation.  I thought it was a great display, but when I got back to Great Falls, the guys were telling me all of the good stuff was in the basement, which was closed off the day I was there.  I guess I didn't get to see the good stuff, but I enjoyed the museum none the less.  The guards at the entrance are very informative and helpful, so if you visit, make sure you ask to get into the basement.

Do It Yourself Magazine 'Lipper'

The question came up in the HS Forum regarding magazine lip bending tools. I make my own at a cost of approximately 25 cents each, depending on the cost of a worn out screwdriver at a garage sale!

I wrote up a full article with pictures at my gun blog Mr. Completely. If you are interested, go have a look!

Happy Lipping!

Slant grip Victor replica/fake listed on GunBroker

There is a pistol listed on GunBroker initially advertised as a slant grip Victor (Auction # 519950291).  After getting information from John Stimson concerning the gun, the seller (to his credit) added a note stating the pistol originally shipped as a Sharpshooter.  The pistol exhibits several characteristics that show it is not an original slant grip Victor (SGV).  I have attached photos of the gun, and a photo of an original SGV (bottom one) for comparison.  The following are things that are inconsistent with the characteristics of a SGV:

 

1.  The serial number is outside of the range of numbers for slant grip Victors.  This pistol's serial number is 2,499,151.  Thanks to John Stimson, we know the serial number range for SGVs is 2,401,860 to about 2,460,614.  John looked up the serial number and found that it shipped as a Sharpshooter.

2.  The frame has non-factory stippling on the front and rear grip straps instead of longitudinal serrations like slant grip Citations and Trophys of the time. 

3.  The slide is from a series 107 Victor. The rear of the slide has been reshaped in an attempt to blend the slide to the slant grip frame.  However, it still does not fully mate to the frame like an original slide would, and is not the same contour as a slant grip gun.  The appearance  of the slide with the incorrect serration pattern is probably the most notable inconsistency at first glance that indicates the gun is not an original SGV.

4.  The barrel and rib are likely from a series 107 Victor.  The rear of the rib has had the extension under the sight blade ground off to more closely resemble the way the SGV ribs were made.  The grinding job left a small notch at the rear of the rib that indicates it was ground down instead of being factory produced. 

5.  The trigger and slide release are not correct for a SGV (non-gold plated trigger with overtravel screw, and blued safety).

6.  There is no trigger pull weight adjustment screw in the rear of the frame.

 

I have also attached a photo of an original SGV for comparison (bottom photo).

 

The current bid price is a bit over $1000, which seems high to me for a SGV clone/fake.  The condition of the pistol is less than 95%.

 

This gun is a pretty good example of how a person who is not very knowledgeable concerning SGVs could end up paying quite a bit more for a replica/fake gun than warranted.

 

 

 



Authentic Slant Grip Victor



Rack of Pistols

Just for fun, here is a rack of High Standard pistols that I photographed some time back.  They are mostly series 106 and 107 pistols.   Note the John Giles Citation on top row, 2nd from left.