This pistol has been verified to be one of Armand Swenson's personal guns by Master Pistolsmith Jim Garthwaite who visited Swenson at his shop in 1990.
This is a typical middle 1970’s “transition” full house Swenson build on a Sistema 1927 (Made in 1950) without the Gardena or Fallbrook address on the safety meaning it was likely built during the move of his shop, dating the gun to approximately mid-1970s. (He had completed the move of his home/shop to Fallbrook by 1977.)
The pistol wears signature Swenson hallmarks such as the barrel positioner (Marked “R”) and Rear sight shear pin “Marked “S”) fine 30LPI checkering, industrial hard chrome finish, S&W low mounted “K” sights, hand-forged square trigger guard, front sight insert (unusual fluorescent yellow) and full reliability/accuracy work with welded and refitted Hi-Standard WW2 barrel. It has a refitted Commercial Colt hammer left in the white. Barrel, Sear and disconnector are also unchromed to avoid hydrogen embrittlement. Gun is in almost new condition. Inside of dustcover is faintly marked “Reid” who may have been the original intended customer, but for some reason, this pistol was never delivered and became a Swenson personal sidearm-hence the “S” in the rear sight shear pin which denoted the final customer’s last name.
This gun wears handmade aged ivory micarta grips hand scrimshawed by “Randi” and inscribed “To Armand, 5-84”
Enjoy the show!
.
This is a typical middle 1970’s “transition” full house Swenson build on a Sistema 1927 (Made in 1950) without the Gardena or Fallbrook address on the safety meaning it was likely built during the move of his shop, dating the gun to approximately mid-1970s. (He had completed the move of his home/shop to Fallbrook by 1977.)
The pistol wears signature Swenson hallmarks such as the barrel positioner (Marked “R”) and Rear sight shear pin “Marked “S”) fine 30LPI checkering, industrial hard chrome finish, S&W low mounted “K” sights, hand-forged square trigger guard, front sight insert (unusual fluorescent yellow) and full reliability/accuracy work with welded and refitted Hi-Standard WW2 barrel. It has a refitted Commercial Colt hammer left in the white. Barrel, Sear and disconnector are also unchromed to avoid hydrogen embrittlement. Gun is in almost new condition. Inside of dustcover is faintly marked “Reid” who may have been the original intended customer, but for some reason, this pistol was never delivered and became a Swenson personal sidearm-hence the “S” in the rear sight shear pin which denoted the final customer’s last name.
This gun wears handmade aged ivory micarta grips hand scrimshawed by “Randi” and inscribed “To Armand, 5-84”
Enjoy the show!