What a gun, and what a story to unpack. Ross Seyfried, one of America’s foremost outdoorsmen, gunwriter, and competitive pistol shooters got this gun directly for Mr Charlie Kelsey, Founder of Devel and constant innovator, in 1980-81. Devel was founded in the late 70’s, Charlie Kelsey actually started talking with JD Jones in 1975 about his little ‘project’. That Project was ready for primetime 4 years later after much refinement and tons of work. That ‘project’ was the Devel Custom Mini Conversion of the Smith & Wesson 39 and later 59 pistols. Designed for demanding deep carry, these little guns were heavily refined and trimmed down, it has been said that Kelsey sold many of these to folks who were professional man hunters. Kelsey soon found out that American’s really prefer 1911 Pistols to everything else, and by 1980, after trying to offer cheaper packages on Smith & Wesson pistols, he expanded his custom offerings to include custom bobcat and Government Model pistols. There are very very few of these wonderfully done guns made, and soon thereafter Kelsey would push again by developing the Gammon Pistol, a compensated 1911 built for the competition range. Mickey Fowler won a 5” Devel at the 1980 Bianchi Cup, that year he beat Ross Seyfried, soon after Seyfried would receive his own Devel from Charlie, this one. This pistol is accompanied by a signed letter of authenticity from Ross, stating this pistol was built to Ross’s exacting specifications, and that there are very few 5” Devel customs made. Which is fact, Devel really did focus on the subcompact spook-gun market and later the Competitive Pistol market, but by the early 90’s the company folded, and later Charlie Kelsey was found shot, a sad end to a mad genius’s life.

Ross Seyfried is a name and life deserving of its own book. By 1980, Ross was already believed by many to be the “Fastest Man in the World” a title he earned after numerous US and World Shoot finishes. Ross was the kind of shooter gun builder’s longed to have shooting THEIR guns. Funny enough Ross did not shoot the most cutting edge guns or gear to win, but the Colorado Cowboy wore practical leather holsters, and pretty well always shot a 5” 45 ACP. This pragmatic approach to mastering the Indian, and letting the arrow become an extension of his soul led to his many successes. Ross continued competing at a high level, serving as team captain for the U.S. squad in later World Shoots (e.g., 1983 and 1988, the latter of which he also won individually). Contemporaries described him as having exceptional technique, often using a classic Weaver stance. In the 1980s and 1990s, Seyfried became a regular columnist for Guns & Ammo (notably with his "Shooter's Insight" column) and contributed to other publications like Rifle magazine. Ross was not just a pistolero, but a supremely well rounded hunter and outdoorsman, hunting the world over, and a guy that could teach you about Competitive pistol shooting one minute, Safari rifle choices the next, and bird dogs and fine shotguns after dinner. A real multi-generational talent, his gun writing is still a valuable resource to those of us that care to study it. Ross did modify the rear sight on this pistol, I have a replacement cage/wings coming, and both will be included with the purchase of the gun.

On to the Gun, This Colt is masterfully reworked, hands down some of the most refined work from the early 80s I have ever handled. From the Top:

-Colt Slide, roll marks removed for clean look

-Devel innovative front sight solution, held in tightly by the barrel bushing

-Devel/S&W adjustable rear sight

-Lower and flare Ejection port

-Tune and adjust extractor

-Karl NM Barrel

-Clark Match Bushing

-Extended Ejector fit

-Kings Slide Stop

-Armand Swenson Ambi Safety

-Wilson? Beavertail, beautifully fit

-Completely re-worked Colt ignition parts

-Medium match trigger fit

-Frame to slide refit, tight and smooth

-Loads of internal polish work

-Square off, and checker front of trigger guard, masterfully done

-Checker front strap, relieved panel, ton of clean work here

-Checker custom MSH, note the magwell cut back into MSH

-Open Magwell

-Checker Mag catch

-DEVEL Pachmayr Combat grips

-3 DEVEL mags

This pistol is a incredibly rare piece, in great shape with only light holster wear in the satin nickel finish. This opportunity won’t come around again! Own a piece of Custom 1911 and Action pistol shooting history!

Email Questions: kgbcustoms@gmail.com

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$26,500 Shipped Next Day Air