History
There is something inherently beautiful about classic firearms. Maybe it’s nostalgia, a longing for a faraway style, but guns from many years ago have a particular aesthetic we’re lacking today. Modern polymer pistols, from a visual standpoint, pale in comparison to the highly polished metal and beautifully stained wood of old.
Take, for example, the Colt Single Action Army revolver. This iconic pistol is where beauty and practicality meet. Also known as the SAA, Colt 45, Peacemaker, and most famously, “the gun that won the West,” it was the standard military service revolver from 1873 to 1891, as well as the preferred sidearm of General George Patton.
After 1847, the SAA was manufactured in Hartford, Connecticut, at a plant that featured a special artisan workshop. Colt employed highly skilled engravers, mainly from Europe, to give these revolvers the custom treatment. Engraving included delicate scrollwork, ornamental motifs, animal and human figures, florals, and more. Other customizations included gold or silver inlays as ivory or pearl stocks.
Only 1 percent of the first-generation SAAs were engraved, making them rare and sought after by collectors. These showpieces were as much about fashion as function and truly reserved for the wealthy class. Samuel Colt, the company’s founder, often gave custom SAAs away to prominent figures like heads of state, captains of industry, and lawmen as a means of promotion.
Modern Gun Fashion
Fast-forward to today’s modern firearms, and fashion is present everywhere you look. Companies like Watchtower, Cabot, and Nighthawk are known for their high-end custom guns. Other companies, like Hi Point, have also entered this market, offering models such as the Yeet Cannon and 916 Money.
One of the benefits of modern modular guns is the ability to swap just about any part. Whether it’s a simple mod like wrapping the grip in Goon Tape or something more involved like installing a new trigger, it’s a way to personalize the experience. So-called “Gucci guns” are common these days.
One upgrade I adopted early on was to put gold barrels in my carry guns. Of course, the stock barrels are fine, but the swap incorporates a bit of my style. I’ve also changed slides, entire grip modules, and grip panels for a customized look.
Cerakote
Another popular way to customize a gun is with Cerakote, which can completely alter the look of a firearm. Whether you’re choosing a single color or an intricate design, it’s a way to personalize your experience.
I asked Bryan Welch, owner of Pro 2 Customs, why he thinks this option has become so popular. He said it’s like buying a newly built house.
“They all come with contractor white walls, which works, but as soon as people move in, we tend to see them paint the walls and start decorating to give it an individual touch and make it feel like home,” he said. “What we bring to the firearms industry is more of what they already do in their lives. We just allow them the option to have that with their hobby as well.”
Customized Showpieces
If you long for the classic gun look, you can still get one through Colt’s Custom Gun Shop, which accepts orders for the SAA and 1911. Depending on what you order, you can customize the barrel, slide, sights, hammer, triggers, safeties, magazines, grips, and finishes. With the help of Colt’s gunsmiths, they will help you design something completely unique to your tastes.
I spoke with Rich Churchill, the Colt Custom Shop manager, about the types of orders they are shipping today. I was curious if they see more requests for carry or collector guns. Rich said most of the engraving the shop does is geared toward collectors, with some work on carry guns – usually some light engraving like a company logo or name.
While some of these guns may be destined to become safe queens, a fair bit fall under what Rich calls the “barbecue gun” category – “guns you’d wear to a barbecue, wedding, or church.”
It’s not hard to imagine a Texan open-carrying a barbecue gun in their nice holster.
Conclusion
Although guns are often seen as a tool, they don’t have to be looked at as only utilitarian. Firearms are also part of a hobby and a sport, and for some, they carry an emotional aspect. With so many ways to customize today, there’s a way for everyone to add a little style.
