22 OF OF OF 22 22 - Jeffersonian

A Swenson Tribute GunWhich is which?Roy’s originalSwenson is attop while John’s“Tribute” Swensonrests under it. Theheritage is obvious,and John capturedthe look and feel ofthe original, whileupdating some ofthe technology.Below: The originalcheckered Colt gripson John’s Tributegun (right), squaredtrigger guard andclassic hard chromeand S&W sightsharken back todays in Fallbrook,California inSwenson’s shop.Roy’s originalSwenson ison the left.Roy HuntingtonPhotos: Joe NovelozoIn 1975 I was at an early regional IPSC-typematch in Oceanside, California. The lineupof shooters could only be considered “colorful”in the most literal sense of the word.From one shooter competing with an originalBroomhandle Mauser auto to another gentwith a Model 29 S&W .44 Mag, shooting fullpowerloads from a home-made cross-draw rig, wewere, um, uh … ground-breaking? I had a Colt GoldCup in a Bianchi X-15 shoulder rig and felt quitecutting edge. Then I met Armand.I spotted this older gent hanging around the opentrunk of his car in the parking lot, and he had a fewcustom 1911s on-hand for us to look at. I had onlyread about custom guns in gun magazines but had neveractually seen one. After introducing himself as ArmandSwenson, we chatted at length, as he let me look at his pistols.At that precise moment, my life changed.I knew I was holding something special in my hands andhad little idea it would drive my enthusiasm for guns of all48 WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM • MARCH/APRIL WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM 2010• MARCH/APRIL 2010