Custom Hi-Power

[cmdrcody]

I got a custom Hi-Power from an estate.
It’s a ported 1987 BHP with type 2 sear lever.

[cmdrcody]

Top of slide and barrel bushing. You need a spanner to remove the barrel.

[ToddSig]

Nice find. Love vintage custom Hi Powers. Have your researched Frank Paris?

A couple of threads, but still pretty limited
www.handgunsandammunition.com/threads/frank-j-paris-custom-pistolsmith-michigan.2984/

www.1911forum.com/threads/some-impressive-hp-smith-work.275936/#post-2723566

www.icollector.com/Ted-Nugent-s-Custom-Colt-1911-45-by-Frank-Paris_i43154502


Could not find any images of his HPs, there are a few 1911s if you search Google images.

Looks like he was working same time period as Behlert, Hoag, Swenson, etc especially with the removal barrel bushing. My Tussey Custom has the same style Millet low profile sights with the machined slide and side channels. I read somewhere the slide channels or ball end milled cuts were part of aftermarket Low profile Millett installation instructions.

[Mister Coffee]

ToddSig Those side channels look good. I hate to lose metal off a gun, though.

[ToddSig]

Apr 18, 2024 10:44:20 GMT -5 Mister Coffee said:

ToddSig Those side channels look good. I hate to lose metal off a gun, though.

Thanks @mister Coffee

One of the reasons I purchased the Tussey was because of those slide channels or lightening cuts. I had not seen them previously, then started searching and as cmdrcody 's example also shows, they are out there and a few smiths used the Millet low profile sights with the slide ball end machining. But, yes, definitely different, and that is why I wanted one. I sort have to go the unique and unusual now.

I did some diffing and found the Millet low profile sight instructions with info on the ball end milling placement, size and depth. Link to the installation guide is
www.millettsights.com/downloads/series100customcombat.pdf

[Mister Coffee]

ToddSig The best part is that the lightening cut allows the dovetail to sit flush in the slide. It really looks the way a dovetail should. I don't know why we have so often put up with less. An alternate way to do it would be, instead of wasting metal off the slide, to make dovetails that conform to the shape of the OEM slide. But then you'd need a gun-specific dovetail for every application.

Hope that makes sense. I'm not a gunsmith or someone who is handy with tools and modifies a lot of stuff.

[cmdrcody]

After a cleanup and lubrication. I took it to the range and was very satisfied. This is after a second cleaning after the 40 rounds at the range. I also replaced the grips after the range trip.




I didn’t torque the bushing as tight as I found it. The barrel had a little light rust on the inside. it cleaned up fine. I used a watch case adjustable spanner to remove the barrel bushing. Far easier than using it on my watches.

[wycowboy]

Back in the 60/70/80’s there weren’t to many choices for adjustable handgun sights. Bomar, Micro, Milletts were very popular. The Milletts seemed more streamlined and were more accurately adjustable than the Colt Gold Cup and Python if you loosened the elevation screw too much all the tiny ball bearings would fall out and go everywhere! I think that’s why the S&W J/K/N Frame sights were so appealing. I had a small part time gunsmith business in my basement I was young and dumb and I would try about anything. I had a lot of Cop buddies and shot in a pistol league and high power rifle league I didn’t charge much so I was always busy. There was no internet then so we copied stuff we saw in magazines. I look back now and realize how talented those early smiths were, so thanks for bringing back memories of pistols I knew I would never own or shoot.

[ToddSig]

Apr 19, 2024 15:17:16 GMT -5 wycowboy said:

Back in the 60/70/80’s there weren’t to many choices for adjustable handgun sights. Bomar, Micro, Milletts were very popular. The Milletts seemed more streamlined and were more accurately adjustable than the Colt Gold Cup and Python if you loosened the elevation screw too much all the tiny ball bearings would fall out and go everywhere! I think that’s why the S&W J/K/N Frame sights were so appealing. I had a small part time gunsmith business in my basement I was young and dumb and I would try about anything. I had a lot of Cop buddies and shot in a pistol league and high power rifle league I didn’t charge much so I was always busy. There was no internet then so we copied stuff we saw in magazines. I look back now and realize how talented those early smiths were, so thanks for bringing back memories of pistols I knew I would never own or shoot.View AttachmentView Attachment

wycowboy are the images of the HP and 1911 your work?

[wycowboy]

The S&W K Frame(Colt) and J Frame(BHP) sights were milled and installed by a talented local gunsmith friend who is no longer in business. I had installed a set of S&W K Frames on a military Colt in the early 70’s with a hacksaw, files and a drill press and it turned out great but it took so long that the $125.00 gunsmith charge in the 80’s I couldn’t pass up. I did do the other work on them, had J Frames put on Hi Power 89/90. I do have all the original parts but not the boxes(lost in a sewer backup flood)be hard to put those S&W sight cuts back to original. Alas that USGI I bought for $55.00 and improved was stolen along with a Colt Diamondback and two Pythons in 1976 that have never shown up. I built Flintlock Rifles for ten or so years with hand tools but modern firearms you need modern hi tech equipment to do it right. I still tinker, just nothing major. Thanks, Todd

[cmdrcody]

I purchased this 1979 customized Colt Gold Cup National March from the same estate. I’m of the opinion that the same gunsmith, Frank Paris did it because he was known for his 1911 work, as he did some for Ted Nugent. The two guns have too many similarities to just be coincidence’s. The Gold Cup is 8 years older.

[ToddSig]

cmdrcody a Frank Paris HP just showed up on Gunbroker, you might wish to track it.

www.gunbroker.com/item/1048027980

[Mister Coffee]

cmdrcody How do you feel about the gunsmith's name on the slides?

[cmdrcody]

I’m fine with it, but I don’t know if he did it on all his work or is it something he started later. The 1979 gun does not have his name on it, but the 1987 gun does have his name. I’ve seen three other gold cups with his name but they were series 80 so they are later than my gold cup. If it had his name there would be no doubt. In this situation when the smith and the gun owner are both deceased you can’t prove anything.