Original Bob Marvel 9mm 2012 Grail Gun! #2

Around a year ago I was able to secure this original Bob Marvel gun. When I picked it up, I did a small write up on it in a few forums, but wanted to share some updated pictures and thoughts on it with you all!!

I figured it was time to post her up, give a deeper dive, and add a bit of perspective on the gun.

As she came, a full boat Bob Marvel gun, chambered in 9mm... pure awesomeness, and hand built by Bob Marvel himself... This is actually the second Marvel gun I acquired, and it came from a gentleman down in Texas. It is truly first class!

Outside of that, bluing is perfect, the Bull Barrel is perfection, the trigger pull is what you would expect from a piece of this caliber...

Some of the build sheet reads as follows:

- Marvel Classic 1911 w/Bull Nose
- Arrow Pattern Cuts on Top of Slide
- Cryogenically Treat and Acid wash Barrel
- S&A Magwel/Blend and Checker to 20LPI
- Front Strap Checker to 25 LPI
- C&S Ambi Safety
- Marvel Buried and Protected Rear Sight
- Hand Made F/O Front Sight and Fully Blend to Slide
- Hand Fit Barstol 9mm Bull Barrel
- Chamber Cut to .754" using Marvel 9x19 Reamer
- Hood Beech cut to .0015"
- Marvel Reverse plug matched to Extended Recoil Rod and Align with Pin Hole
- Greider Match Trigger
- EGW Sear cut to .776" OAL
- Disconnector 1.302" OAL
- C&S UL Hammer w/.018"ht on hooks at 90 Degrees
- Trigger pull set to 3lb with slight roll
- Recoil Spring at 11lbs
- Hammer Spring at 23lbs

This pistol is truly a gem... a one of a kind gun that I personally have not felt an equal to in terms of 9mm and 1911 platform. The barrel fit is just on point with this one... she shoots so soft, and accurate! I probably have 8K on her and I honestly have not had one single issue... ever. Bob built this pistol like a true master would.

To say Bob was a genius is an understatement. I would probably say "savant" is more the proper word... every single aspect of his pistols are so well thought out and executed that it leaves me at a loss for words, this one is amongst the finest pistol in my entire collection. Special doesn't even begin to describe it.

With that said, enjoy the pictures... 90,000 year old Mammoth Tooth, full G10 backed, and 100% functional, they are just for looking!

Enjoy!

earlthegoat2 said:

Choot it!

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Duh... gets shot pretty regularly! Choots like a dream

Reinz said:

Absolutely gorgeous! Bet it shoots as good as it looks.

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it’s my favorite gun to shoot... the recoil is zero! Literally a laser!

I’ll post some targets next time I bring her out to the range...

Waveski said:

Wanting to know more about Marvel builds , I took a look at similar pistols on GB. The few that were posted there all had the top of the slide stippled.
I much prefer the treatment given to the OP specimen. To my eye it is more purposeful , and I suspect that the lined rib would lend itself to ease of pointing.

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Finding a gun Bob actually built is not easy. I’ve spent years searching for his work, only to to find three that met my criteria for buying. The “Bob Marvel” guns you are referring to on GB are Night Hawk guns.

Bob Marvel used have a shop in Nebraska... he became very well known with the bullseye crowd after his guns kept winning meet after meet. As amazing of a smith, innovator, and genius of the 1911 platform as he was, many would say he wasn’t the greatest business person... From my studies of Bobs work, he started really getting into the non-bullseye builds in the mid 90’s. And at that point started slowly bringing in others (apprentices) who wanted to learn under him. By the early 2000’s Bobs guns started to be sought after by the higher end custom 1911 crowd (but that space was already filled by many great innovators) and finding one/getting Bobs shop to build one was tough... typically around a 2 year wait (if you were lucky).

Once the mid to late 2000’s came around, Bob had several smiths working under him... and obviously he was building. He also invented the famous .22 conversions that are now copied by anyone making a decent 1911 .22lr conversion. Bob also began teaching classes on the 1911... And ultimately landing a deal with Night Hawk. Agreeing to teach one or two smiths over there to build a “Bob Marvel Model”. Which is what you see floating around on GB 99% of the time.

Nearing 2006-2012 I would suspect that only 12-15 guns a year were made (if that). That number isn’t based off any fact, it’s based off my inability to find guns that came out of Bobs shop durning those years... The stories Ive heard from guys are interesting to say the least (some documented on forums). Additionally, most folks buying Bobs guns were still bullseye shooters, so finding a gun that is like the ones I have is near impossible... They are not only hard to come by, they are bring a pretty penny.

By the end of 2012, Bobs deal with NH was full steam ahead, and he was doing very well teaching! I assume for those reasons he retired from building guns for clients. I do know Bob is still teaching and his name lives on through NH, but anyone who knows the legend of Marvel will tell you that his bullseye guns are what put him on the map... Sadly many people just don’t know about his legendary innovation, the things he knows about barrel fit, and his guns ability to shoot so accurately and reliably.

The features you see one those NH guns, are features Bob designed and became famous for... He originated them, so do not sell that stippling short. Done properly, its some of the most beautiful work ever to be produced on the 1911!

Lastly, a “Marvel Style Gun” is different than any traditionally built 1911 I have. They just feel different! They shoot softer, more accurately, and ultimately it’s the standard I hold others to when building me a gun. Some will crap on the innovation, they will say they don’t build a "marvel style gun", and tell you there is a better way... I can only speak for myself and say the Marvel style/method of building guns is superior to any I’ve personally handled. This is simply my opinion, and surely others will not agree. It’s totally fine! I also know for a fact though that many who do not agree, don’t agree because they don’t know how to build one, and/or they have never handled or shot one of Bobs guns. Hopefully that was helpful?