Swenson 1911?

[Randy63]

I have a line on a nice Swenson built Colt series 70 1911 in approximately 90%-95% condition. The only tells me the original owner put close to 4K into this gun. (he says he has the build sheet though I haven't seen it) I don't know much about Swenson 1911's so any help would be appreciated.

The gun in question is hard chromed with K frame sights, checkered trigger guard and front strap, the rear of the slide is also serrated, and a Swenson marked safety.

The owner is asking $1600 for the pistol. Would that price be out of line?

Thanks in advance,

Randy

 

[E5MC]

That does'nt sound out of lint to me, depending on condition. If you don't want it, I know someone who does.

 

[E5MC]

Hello again. Swenson would usually, but not alway's mark his guns as follows. Above the serial # on the frame, behind the cocking serrations on the left side of the slide, and on the cartridge pickup rail on the slide. He would also mark the owners name on the cartridge pickup rail of the slide, and on the inside of the dust cover of the frame. He would also put the owner's initial on the 2nd lug of the S&W K frame sights. I don't own any Swenson's myself yet, but I have a friend that own's four of them.

 

[Gordon]

If I can find the Auction I'll buy it! Better MOVE my friend! Pawn your house and car but BUY THE SWENSON (as long as it's real and youve been told how to know)!

 

[Randy63]

Thanks much for the info guys.

If I can find the Auction I'll buy it!

Let me save you a little time....it's not on the net

It looks like I'll be the owner of a Swenson 1911, that's if it hasn't sold between Thursday afternoon and tomorrow morning when the shop in question opens its doors.

Are Swenson 1911s as accurate as the contemporary semi custom guns available from Brown and Wilson?

Randy

 

[cratz2]

I haven't been following the prices on his guns super close but just off the top of my head, I would suspect $1,600 is a very, very low price if it is indeed a true Swenson piece. They are very well regarded as he was one of the first top names in 1911 customizing. While some aspects of his work aren't as immediately impressive as of today's custom and semi-custom builders, there are obviously a limited number of his guns and there will never be any more.

If I had the money and I had the opportunity, I'd buy a true Swenson-built 1911 in a heartbeat.

 

[Sean Smith]

There are alot of fake Swensons out there, that would be my main concern. The price is low for a real Swenson, I've seen them for as much as $3,000+.

 

[Randy63]

I picked up the Swenson today. I didn't get the build sheet with the gun but thanks to E5MC I was able to determine that this is indeed the real deal. Here are some pics. Sorry about the quality.


This gun is in better shape than I first thought with only a little holster wear on the left front of the slide.

Randy

 

[Randy63]

Never mind....I got the links to work.

Randy

 

[Rinspeed]

Wow, very nice. I think you would had been a fool to pass it up even if it was several hundred more. Do you plan to shoot it in the near future.

Rinspeed

 

[Litlman]

Randy stopped by my house today with the newest addition to his fsmily and it is nicer than the pics show. Quality all the way and it feels soooooo good in your hand. Enjoy it bud and, when you do decide to shoot it let me know!

 

[A Johnston]

Randy63 said....

"Are Swenson 1911s as accurate as the contemporary semi custom guns available from Brown and Wilson?"


You bet they are!!! Nice find and $1600 was a good deal indeed... I would be hard pressed to pay too much more for that gun without a built sheet or at least a few more options on the gun but it was a fair deal. Is the gun a Gardena, Fallbrook, or just "Calif." marked gun?

I really doubt the original owner had anywhere near $4000 into the gun as a full house Swenson (on your frame and slide) seldom broke the $1200 range and that would have only be during his last years building.

Once you shoot it let us know what ya' think.

 

[Randy63]

Originally posted by A Johnston:
You bet they are!!! Nice find and $1600 was a good deal indeed... I would be hard pressed to pay too much more for that gun without a built sheet or at least a few more options on the gun but it was a fair deal. Is the gun a Gardena, Fallbrook, or just "Calif." marked gun?

I really doubt the original owner had anywhere near $4000 into the gun as a full house Swenson (on your frame and slide) seldom broke the $1200 range and that would have only be during his last years building.

Once you shoot it let us know what ya' think.

No....after looking around a bit I don't think the original owner put 4K into this. I have his name and phone number, his last name jives with the "V" stamped on the rear sight and inside of the gun. With any kind of luck he might have the build sheet tucked away. FWIW he told the dealer he sold it to (that I bought it from) that it was the most accurate handgun he ever shot.

The frame is marked A.D. Swenson Calif.

The gun also has a beveled mag well.....was that pretty much standard for Swenson guns?

Does anyone have any idea what time frame this might have been built in?

Randy

 

[A Johnston]

The beveled mag well was standard so long as the owner ordered the gun that way. Swenson built guns one of two ways... The owner could order the gun his way with the mods he wanted or Swenson would also build some (not many) guns on spec and then I suspect most would have a beveled mag well.

Tell me the first 4 or 5 digits of the serial number and I should be able to give you a general idea of when Swenson may have built it.

 

[Randy63]

Tell me the first 4 or 5 digits of the serial number and I should be able to give you a general idea of when Swenson may have built it.

Thanks in advance for the info.

The serial # is 70G416xx

I can hardly wait to take her out to the range!

Randy

 

[Randy63]

That's me....Crazy as the day is long

Randy

 

[EdipisReks]

that is an absolutely beautiful handgun, and well worth $1600. i once had the chance to fondle a swenson, and i certainly wish i owned one.

 

[A Johnston]

Since the gun left the Colt factory in 1973 it obviously can't be any older than that. And based on what I know about Swenson’s maker’s marks and their locations I would guess the gun probably wasn’t completed any later than 1979 and possibly even a bit earlier.

 

[Randy63]

Mr. Johnston, thanks again for all of the info,
Can you (or anyone else) identify the magazine that came with the gun.
Here's a pic:

Thanks,

Randy

 

[A Johnston]

That is a Metalform magazine and it is not original to the gun. Swenson would have included a hard chromed (since your gun is chromed) Colt magazine.

 

[Gordon]

What a great deal on a modern work of art! This is not a top end Swenson(who cares) as it does not have the matting and french borders on top . This was an Honest to God Combat pistol that Swenson Prolly charged about $400-600 in the 70s to build. BTW the was a time period of Swenson's best work, the checkering ect was absolutely perfect along with everything else. In 10 more year the old eyes started to slip a bit. I visited with him a half a dozen times from 1979-1986 and felt like I was on a holy pilgramage each time and tried to bless him anyway I could.