Bill Laughridge is one of the most dedicated students to the 1911 platform I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Not just customizing the platform, which he is plenty capable of, but a real student of the history, he is passionate about the legacy of the sidearm he built a business around many years ago. So naturally when the 100’th anniversary of the M1911 approached in the early 2000’s Bill wanted to go all the way to commemorate the occasion. He went to the Browning Museum, and connected with collectors holding original ‘First 500’ Colts, and examined them, measured them and set out to honor these earliest pistols with the only real, honest reproduction ever attempted. These pistols have proper lines, parts, finish. Where they differ is only in verbiage of the markings to reflect Cylinder & Slide mfg them, and the fitment, these are well put together guns, I wager likely better fit than those earliest handmade Colts! This example is a 2 digit Army marked gun, stunning finish, original box and booklets. Gun only shows minor handling over the years. Bill and Co at C&S only built ~100 of these stunning pieces, and charged $5000 for them 15 years ago.

Note the last picture in the gallery, Pictured is Hamilton Bowen and Bill Laughridge receiving their Lifetime Achievement Awards from the American Custom Gunmakers Guild. There is a Century of experience crafting fine firearms standing there, what an honor to be there this year to see these gentlemen recognized.

Email questions: kgbcustoms@gmail.com

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$6500 Shipped