Is that hard chrome on the old Colt snub nose? At one time Bill Jordon carried 3 1/2" 5 screw on duty.
Yes Sir it is.
A friend of mine that lives nearby told me of a customized Colt that a guy in Texas owned and was thinking about selling. I ended up even trading a S&W revolver for the gun.
The Colt was pictured and written about in at least two of Dean Grennell's books from the late 1970's. I've got two of those books. The US Property serial number on the butt of the frame is the exact same as the one pictured in the books.
The Colt belonged to Dean Grennell's brother named Ralph. I kinda like that because that's my name as well. There are some pictures of "Ralph" shooting it in the books.
The custom work was done in the late 1960's to early 70's by a company that is no longer in business.
That was:
John B. Williams Gunsmithing
704 East Commonwealth
Fullerton, California
I remember reading about that company in the gun magazines back in that time and seeing pictures of some of their custom Colts and S&W revolvers. I can't find any reference to the company on the internet now.
The barrel was cut to 2.5 inches. A S&W adjustable rear sight was custom shaped and fitted to a matching milled cut in the top strap. A S&W "type" front sight with red insert was fabricated & installed.
The hammer, cylinder latch, and trigger were bright chromed. The barrel & frame were matte hard chromed. Action work done internally, etc., etc.
It shoots good too! Sometimes I carry it concealed cross draw.
And that's what I know about it. I had the holster made for it by Tom Dyer in Kingman AZ.
Ralph in Lexington