This project has been rattling around in my head for a while. So when I came into possession of this pistol, I thought I might do something like this with it. I acquired it in a trade and never really took to it. It's not really a gun I would normally be interested in. So I first tried to trade it away for something else, but no one was interested. So I got out the saw and went to work.
Here's what I started with. A 1972 vintage Euroarms Navy Sheriff.
And here it is relieved of it's barrel.
I suppose I could have just cleaned it up and left it at that. But that wasn't my plan. I've seen many pictures of this type of pistol and I wanted to emulate them as best as I could. A little sculpting of the barrel was in order.
Here's how that turned out.
Lots of filing and sanding to get the contour like I wanted. It still needs final sanding and polishing and then I'll blue it.
My plan from the start included making the grip into a birdshead. That's what the brass in the first picture is for. But I decided to try a re-contour of the stock grip. I figured I was going to be cutting it up anyway, to make the birdshead, so I just wanted to try. It came out pretty good. I took about half the thickness of the grip off, as well as re-contored the butt. It's very comfortable in the hand. But I think I'm going to go ahead with my original plan and do a birdshead. I also have a couple good size pieces of elk antler that I may try and make grip panels from.
The grip in this picture is just roughly shaped. It still needs finished. I probably won't bother since I'm going a different route.
It's well on it's way though. Stay tuned for updates on progress.
