Price check on 1911's customized by Armand Swenson.

[Browning]

The name Armand Swenson comes up alot when talking about customized 1911's since he was one of the first (if not THE first smith) to do focus on customizing 1911's, but does anyone know how much a Swenson 1911 actually goes for?

For anyone who doesn't know who he was here's an article (they're both the same article, I just put two different links to it in case one goes down in the future).

Article on Armand Swenson

The Classic Swenson

When doing a search the only thing I found when trying to find how much they go for a is this.

Swenson 1911 that was for $2,999.00 on Guns of America

Is that about what they all go for give or take?

 

[CWL]

That gun is in excellent condition, doesn't even look like it's been fired much and the checkering looks intact. It does not look like it's been extensively modified for a Swenson though. No slide work, no extended thumbsafety, no work on grip safety, arched MSH. This looks like a stock pistol that Armand probably did a reliability job on.

It is in excellent shape though (1968 Govt.) and comes with wood presentation box, all these add to the value of the gun.

I would like to read the letter or provenance and personally handle that gun before making a decision. For this rare of a pistol, you need to decide if you really want it, because value for custom guns depends wholly on rarity and demand. I would probably pay close to that, but only if I get to examine the pistol first.

 

[Browning]

Actually I'm not buying that one or anything, I was just wondering how much they were worth if they were in good condition or excellent condition with all the appropriate stamps.

 

[gary@r&g]

Swensons

$3k - $6 K

Actually that gun has most of Armand's signature features including hand fabricated extended thumb safety. Squared trigger guard. Hand cut checkering. Armand rarely put beavertail grip safety's on his guns. He typically left the arched MSH although like any other smith would customize to the owners specs. Cant tell if it has french borders which he frequently did and wouldnt be able to tell if it has a Bar sto or a welded up Colt barrel with his trade mark barrel positioner. Only unusual thing I see is the Micro's versus the K S&W rear sight he normally used. With the letter from Jason Burton (Heirloom precision formerly Yost Bonitz) $2995 was a bargain.

I sold a full house Hardchrome 68 Commercial 1 1/2 years ago for over $5k. (first picture). The link below was written by Jason.

http://www.coolgunsite.com/comm_pistols/custom/swenson/swenson.htm

 

[bugman]

I just found another Armand Swenson 1911, it was in Turners Gun Store in San Diego. It came with the paper work and receipt from his Fallbrook Ca. location. It is a 1987 Combat Elite and believe it or they sold it for $1200.00, no one in the store even knew Armand Swenson was.

 

[9mmepiphany]

i think if i was willing to spend money on a Swenson, it should have all the classic Swenson features

1. squared trigger guard
2. ambidextrous safety...they used to just be referred to as a "Swenson safety" because he was the only one making them
3. French borders on the slide
4. hand-matted top of the slide...actually done by repeatedly hitting the top of the slide with a course file until the desired texture is attained
5. hand checkering
6. inset S&W K-frame rear sight
7. the barrel positioner

the gun in the first post looks like it only has 2 of these

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

pretty much every "swenson" 1911 part sold on midwayusa gets horrible reviews. why would someone want one of his 1911's??

 

[Frank Ettin]

pretty much every "swenson" 1911 part sold on midwayusa gets horrible reviews. why would someone want one of his 1911's??

First, those parts aren't made by Armand Swenson. He is long gone.

Second, much of the interest in his guns is from a collectors' perspective. He was among the first of the modern tradition of 1911 pistolsmiths. So his guns have considerable historical interest. And he built his guns in the days before one could order an ambidextrous or extended safety from Brownells.

 

[Clifford]

Maybe a little off topic but does anyone have some pic's of his barrel positioner? I've heard of it and always wondered exactly how and what he did with that mod.

 

[Vonderek]

pic of barrel positioner:

http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHMA10/?Page=92

 

[bluetopper]

I have one built by Armand Hammer.

 

[Rinspeed]

pretty much every "swenson" 1911 part sold on midwayusa gets horrible reviews. why would someone want one of his 1911's??

Thanks for the laugh, that's the funniest thing I've read in a long time.