Volkmann makeover

[Blue Ridge Reef]

Picked up my second ever 1911 yesterday. I found this on Gunbroker:

An old Volkmann. Not at all the look I was going for, but it was something I could have refinished. And I wound up winning it for a couple dollars under my limit. I posted about it on 1911addicts, and asked who they would get to coat it. One guy suggested I contact the guy who made it -Luke Volkmann and check his schedule. Well, Luke said I could have the seller ship it directly to him, and he'd make any cosmetic changes I needed, send it off for coating, and -since I was broke from buying it -even said I could pay him when the gun was finished. So that's what I did. And I went ahead and had everything done I wanted. That was two and a half long months ago, but here she is:

The grips are from Wicked, and I think they just make the gun:


slide/frame fit:

I took about a hundred pictures under different flashes and settings to get these to half way come out. It's the hardest thing to photo, the slide's very shiny:

Here's an overview of the specs:
Rear Logo
Serrate rear of slide
gold dot front post/Harrison rear
polish flats
Ball machine cuts
install/adjust 3 hole match trigger, smooth on face
crown barrel/mongram bushing/plug
ion bond frame/slide/small parts
Wicked grips
Case/spare mags
I ran to the woods and cracked off two magazines today, amazing trigger, and smooth action. The sights are supposed to have a 6 O'clock hold for impact, but I haven't figured that out yet. I shot a tight group, but high. I'll have to learn the sights or adjust them! Outside of that, everything exceeds my expectations so far. Thanks for looking.

[Lordofbarbeque]

My friend has two of his signatures and loves them. It is good to see him doing good in this economy

[snipe10]

I have two and am craving another

[Blue Ridge Reef]

You won't be cluttering up my thread by showing them off, fellas! I'd love to see 'em.

[crashoverrideplik]

I don't have one...yet but after seeing those pictures of yours I might need to move one of these up on the list.

[bergoff]

Wow that's one nice looking 1911. I love the grips.

[Swenson Bobcat]

Well done. Just the right touches. Luke is a great gunsmith and a really nice person as well.

[rl168]

Very nice, I like the new finish.

Is that regular grips? Not sure if it is the close up shot, but the grips look thick.

And how about some info on the case with the cut out foam?

[Blue Ridge Reef]

The grips are by Wicked, they are a *little* thick in the middle, but it's sort of an optical illusion -they're *almost* the same width as my others. As for the case, it's the hard case Luke sells. It's made by Starlight and is a great case, though a little bigger than I'd ideally prefer.
And SB, I agree on Luke being both! He's been a pleasure to work with. The sights are set up for 6 O'clock hold for impact, and I don't prefer that. He told me I could shoot targets at 5,7 and 15 yards and send him the slide and labeled targets and he'd file down and re-ion bond the rear sight. I hate to do that, but I'm not sure I can get used to them this way.

[Johnny handgun]

Wow! Just.... WOW!!!! That gun looks soooo sweet now!!!

[cjkolcun]

Very nice!!

[JRC1911]

I was on the verge of buying that pistol when it was on GB, but I have to say, after seeing what you did to it, I'm glad I didn't. That is one good looking pistol! Excellent job.

[BadaBing11]

Dude! I have a gun with identical options on order. Thanks for the preview. If you have high cut trigger, we have twins.

[BadaBing11]

Oh thank god, mine has Heinie Ledge Rear

[Blue Ridge Reef]

Originally Posted by BadaBing11

Dude! I have a gun with identical options on order. Thanks for the preview. If you have high cut trigger, we have twins.

He said the grip was already too high to do that when I inquired. So they'll be fraternal twins, I suppose! I assure you you will be impressed with your Volkmann.

Originally Posted by JRC1911

I was on the verge of buying that pistol when it was on GB, but I have to say, after seeing what you did to it, I'm glad I didn't. That is one good looking pistol! Excellent job.

I'm glad you didn't too! I swear, I came up with a maximum price in my head that I would pay including shipping and finally won it for $3 under that. It is a dream to shoot. I have to send the slide back in for 12 O'clock sight adjustment, but I'm going to have a couple hundred round weekend first. It can sure shoot. I can't recommend Luke highly enough if anyone wants an heirloom 1911. My biggest advice for dealing with him is pick up the phone. I kept trying to go over options via email and it was a real back and forth. I finally called him and in ten minutes I was clear on what his thoughts were and he was clear on exactly what I wanted. And, of course, he sent me exactly what I wanted. The ion-bond was a 6-7 week wait, but once you have the gun in your hands, you forget about all those weeks you waited! I see you're in NC, if you are ever in the Asheville area, hit me up and I'll let you shoot her.

[Chop1980]

That finish is absolutely beautiful. Congrats on the piece. I'm jealous!!

[Tejano Scott]

Very impressive!

[JGus]

That turned out to be a really impressive 1911!

It's amazing the skills of so many of the gunsmiths that get mentioned on this forum. They really are artists.

[Jerry1]

What kind of frame is this? Doesn't look like a Volkmann. What's it say on the side of the frame? I can't make it out. Thanks.

[pezzulli]

Great redo!!!

[Blue Ridge Reef]

Originally Posted by Jerry1

What kind of frame is this? Doesn't look like a Volkmann. What's it say on the side of the frame? I can't make it out. Thanks.

It's a Caspian frame, before he had them stamped Volkmann his older guns were built on these.