This project started out three years ago. I had wanted to team up with Master Engraver Melissa McMinn on a project. We talked about a few ideas and landed on a "Day of the Dead" 1911 in .38 super. I secured an engravers kit from Colt, this is a 1911 without rollmarks. My work entailed welded the frame and refitting to the slide, a Kart NM barrel in .38 Super. All new internals, grip safety and so on. Then off to Melissa for her artistic work. We got a little sidetracked and delayed, she landed the John Wick 4 dueling pistol project which required her to engrave 6 Thompson Contenders for the finale duel scene. Which took all of her time. So we got delayed a year. She sent sketches and we went back and forth a little on design. Her work is magnificent and full of details, each time I look at it I see more detail. For the finish we went with charcoal blue, that does not damage the gold, silver and copper inlay. For the grips I went with classy mammoth ivory from Scott Kolar at SK grips. I think that anything else would take away from the engraving. The case is under construction. The project is for debut at the American Custom Gunmakers Guild show at the Dallas Safari Club show in Atlanta in January, then it will go on the market. It's a pleasure to work with so many gifted artists on a project like this. I hope you enjoy it.
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Greg Derr
"Day of the Dead" project
This project started out three years ago. I had wanted to team up with Master Engraver Melissa McMinn on a project. We talked about a few ideas and landed on a "Day of the Dead" 1911 in .38 super. I secured an engravers kit from Colt, this is a 1911 without rollmarks. My work entailed welded the frame and refitting to the slide, a Kart NM barrel in .38 Super. All new internals, grip safety and so on. Then off to Melissa for her artistic work. We got a little sidetracked and delayed, she landed the John Wick 4 dueling pistol project which required her to engrave 6 Thompson Contenders for the finale duel scene. Which took all of her time. So we got delayed a year. She sent sketches and we went back and forth a little on design. Her work is magnificent and full of details, each time I look at it I see more detail. For the finish we went with charcoal blue, that does not damage the gold, silver and copper inlay. For the grips I went with classy mammoth ivory from Scott Kolar at SK grips. I think that anything else would take away from the engraving. The case is under construction. The project is for debut at the American Custom Gunmakers Guild show at the Dallas Safari Club show in Atlanta in January, then it will go on the market. It's a pleasure to work with so many gifted artists on a project like this. I hope you enjoy it.
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Sweet! I wanted a cool pair of Day of the Dead boots I found in Scottsdale but my wife spoiled it by telling me they were ladies boots.
Not my cup of tea but if you like it and you both put that much work into it be happy.
I'm sure some cartel or drug dealer South of the border would love to own it.
I like. It. It reminds me of that “occult Colt” Detective Special I saw in an article once. I looked for it and here it is below. Each bullet is carved like the head of a gargoyle or monster.
www.gunsinternational.com
Engraved Colt Detective Special Vampire Slayer by D'Angelo
Engraved Colt Detective Special Vampire Slayer by D'Angelo for sale online.
www.gunsinternational.com
Stunning!
Really puts those phoned-in, laser and appliqué crap-fests noting the same subjects, in their place.
Leaving the simple yet elegant grips alone is a nice touch in letting the metal-art speak for itself.
Really puts those phoned-in, laser and appliqué crap-fests noting the same subjects, in their place.
Leaving the simple yet elegant grips alone is a nice touch in letting the metal-art speak for itself.
I think anyone who honors their dead loved ones would like it. That’s what the Day of the Dead is all about, remembering those that have gone before us. They have a huge parade in Tucson.
Not being a gunsmith or a craftsman, I don't understand what you mean by "welded the frame and refitted the slide". How is the frame "welded" and what does it accomplish? Is it built up or strengthened in some way? I'm genuinely curious about this as well: Why swap out all the factory internals, and what all was replaced? Whose parts were used? The reason I ask this is it seems your purpose is to make the pistol more accurate, what with the Kart barrel and all. Was the gun already in .38 Super and you just swapped barrels? Do you envision this as being a shooter? At all? This gun seems destined to be a safe queen or a display piece, possibly sold at auction.
I guess I'm just curious as to why you did all the parts-swapping on a Colt that may not ever have another live round through it. Was all the engraving done by hand?
I understand wanting a finely fitted pistol, not just beautiful engraving on a run of the mill production gun. Probably won't be shot, but a person with the resources to afford such a pistol might not have much compunction about shooting it a little, or a lot
After studying the pistol as best I can from the photographs provided, I have to say it's a bit overcooked for my tastes. Melissa McMinn's work is, of course, above reproach on everything she does. But I have to say the skull and flowers motif has already been done to death (no pun intended), but that isn't her fault. She did what she was commissioned to do. The design and execution are flawless. So let's give more credit where credit is due. Melissa McMinn's website is here. Ditto for the grip maker, Scott Kolar; his work may be seen here. It would also be nice to know who did the bluing. I'd guess it was done in-house at McMinn's studio, but I don't know that for sure. I'll add that seeing her work on the John Wick 4 dueling pistols makes me want to see the movie. Interested forum members can read about how those were created by clicking here.
But really, there's no shortage of Day of the Dead Colts out there already. Probably by other manufacturers as well, who knows.
As another member says, I appreciate the talent and hours of work it took to create this. And I suppose there'll be only one like this. Don't know how to classify the gun. Another commemorative? Another "Tribute" Colt? The main good thing I see (my opinion here, nothing more) about this gun is it provides forum members the opportunity to see Melissa McMinn's work if they weren't already familiar with it. That level of craftsmanship is where the value of this pistol will lie, not the fact that it's a "custom built" 1911. There's more of those already out there than there are Day of the Dead Colts.
But really, there's no shortage of Day of the Dead Colts out there already. Probably by other manufacturers as well, who knows.
As another member says, I appreciate the talent and hours of work it took to create this. And I suppose there'll be only one like this. Don't know how to classify the gun. Another commemorative? Another "Tribute" Colt? The main good thing I see (my opinion here, nothing more) about this gun is it provides forum members the opportunity to see Melissa McMinn's work if they weren't already familiar with it. That level of craftsmanship is where the value of this pistol will lie, not the fact that it's a "custom built" 1911. There's more of those already out there than there are Day of the Dead Colts.
Thanks for all the kind words, all our pistols are meant to be used and enjoyed. We shoot them, even the ones for royalty or presidents.
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