Customized Firearms

As I love the Walther P-38 and own one, those grips on all those sweet guns make me squeal like a little girl.

The Walther P-38 is my all time favorite pistol.

In fact, what started all this was I wanted a replica of the Walther P-38 that was converted by Stembridge Arms for the John Wayne film "BIG JAKE"

In the film, Chris Mitchum was supposed to have a Bergman Semi-Auto pistol. I suspect that they couldn't get one and had Stembridge modify the P-38 to resemble the Bergman.

My buddy and I often spoke of that gun and he said "Why don't you make one?" I thought "I can't do that!!!" BUT I thought "Well, why not give it a try... I did make it and after he saw it said "Ok, now you need to make one for me!!" Which I did.

Because I want it to be a surprise to him, and since he reads this board, I didn't post a pic of it. I will after I give it to him at the October Chiller. I'll then post a photo for everyone else to see.

Because I had several leftover grips from converting them to Man from UNCLE guns I thought it would look "cool" to make these guns using those extra grips (NEVER throw anything away is my motto)

Ed
 
One question though, why did you keep the cylinder release switch on the breaktop? Does it do something functional that you couldn't remove it?

Yes, pushing the release forward depresses the cylinder pin that keeps it locked in place.

Once pressed in you can swing it upwards.
Ed
 
Do you take commissions?:love
I ask because your style is very B-tech (future of the 80's) and I have an old Crossman American that could use a makeover.

Don't know if I could make it look as cool as the one in your photo but I'm willing to work something out with you.
Write me at: thefudds@aol.com
Ed
 
That revolver is awesome. What was the original make and model? How'd you go about customizing this? Did you add styrene in layers? I'm in love with that revolver and I'd like to have a go at customizing one!

The barrel was cutoff on an angle and the barrel and top sight bands were re-fitted.

Styrene plates were custom hand cut to fit the various planes on the revolver and glued in place.

Most of the hex nuts are simply for show except for the ones that provide a bridge for the rod that allows you to swing it open.

Couple of parts are from my parts box of things I don't throw away.

I think the base gun was an ASGK .44 Magnum with a 4" barrel.

Ed
 
...Must...send...all...guns...to...themanwoaname.....
...Must...send...all...guns...to...themanwoaname.....
...Must...send...all...guns...to...themanwoaname.....
yes! its working!
i need to watch men that stare at goats a few more times!

ps. do you have any wip pics? i have an airsoft 1911 i want to mod so it looks like that style. i tried a little so far, but im not happy with my results.
 
ps. do you have any wip pics? i have an airsoft 1911 i want to mod so it looks like that style. i tried a little so far, but im not happy with my results.

Unfortunetly, no…I really should have but didn’t think to do so.

Here’s some more views of the finished guns.

Gun_BergmagnumSnub-Breaktop-Custom48.jpg


Gun_Bergrosman-Custom26.jpg


Ed
 
Wow, nice work on all of those...

But I'm guessing all of them so far are just the tip of the ice"berg"...

C'mon, you know someone was going to say it... :lol
 
Do you have any heavier artillery planned or are small arms the only thing you've got so far?
 
Do you have any heavier artillery planned or are small arms the only thing you've got so far?

Well....I do have old Airsoft SMG's I've been thinking about as well as I'm thinking about making some custom "Bergman-esque" knives to match the guns.
Ed

"Tip of the ice "Berg".......HOW FUNNY!!! LOL!!!
 
Exciting work! Thanks for sharing all of these. Creative gun work is always my favorite to see posted. I look forward to seeing the P-38's you made. Are you using a primer gray as your finish? It works well.

Love the photography too!

The Bergmann is an interesting design in it's own right. The gun from Big Jake was probably one of the first "modified to look like something else" semi-auto's ever used in film. They do it all the time now. ;)

The P-38 is a great pistol. They are quite a lot of fun to shoot. I'm a WW2 nut, and any weapons from that era are pretty great in my opinion. Though, the colt 1911 will always be my favorite pistol. :)
 
Are you using a primer gray as your finish? It works well.

I use a Krylon Flat black spay and, once dry, I use an old shoe brush to buff it into a semi-gloss finish.

Thanks all for the kind words. I'm glad everyone liked my modifications.
Ed
 
These are close to being up there with U.N.C.L.E. and Bond. I had the opertunity to shoot a real Bergman awhile back. Very interesting pistol. Well made as was the custom at that time.
 
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