“Custom Guns are for Custom people”. I don’t exactly remember where I heard that statement, but I always liked it. It’s pretty darn accurate. So, on the subject of custom guns, we were compelled to share something with you that you don’t see much anymore. In fact you may never have seen one until now. This is a Gemini Customs example of what should be called the original “Frankengun”.
It’s a Smython, sometimes called a Smolt, and it is fair to say that a Smython represents the epitome of the Custom Revolver Smiths craft. A Smython is the marriage of a Colt Python barrel onto a S&W frame. Simple idea, but challenging to properly execute. I do not lay claim to it’s invention. The Smython was being built some years ago, in very small numbers by some enterprising gunsmiths, back when Colt Python barrels were not so difficult to procure. Even back then, these were still rare custom builds, but they were seldom built to this degree of customization. Many were good shooters, but almost all of them lacked the attention to detail you see here.
Fast forward to today, with procurement of any Colt Python barrel nearly impossible and the opportunity to build these delightful sidearms is indeed very, vary rare. This particular Smython is definitely a one of a kind example as it sports the rarest of the rare Python barrels, a “Python Elite”, stainless steel in a 4” length. This example was based on a modern, round butt, 7 x .357 magnum, S&W L frame 686 in stainless steel. Most existing Smython examples are based on the older square butt K and sometimes L frame S&W revolvers.
The guns’ owner supplied us with the English Walnut rifle stock blank, the Colt Python Elite barrel and the modern 7 x .357 S&W model 686 for this build. It took a little over a year to gather up the bits and pieces for this build, but he had a vision of what he wanted, and he wanted something different. I think we achieved that with him. I was free to build it like it was mine, but we still begged permission on a few details. It was after all his gun! It sports some hallmark features that clearly define it as a Gemini Customs build, the V8 Hybra-Port porting, our extensive bodywork, exquisite smoothing and metal work, blending and de-horning, Skeletonized trigger guard, and a set of our Custom Exotic Wood grips machined from that beautiful old rifle stock blank, then fitted and finished to the S&W frame. Those details are unique, you can not get them anywhere else. It also has all the usual features that make this a World Class revolver from our shop, BCA RCSW rear sight, Moon-clipped Cylinder, DA Action tuning, cylinder work, custom 14K gold bead front sight and a stunning Duplex Nickel PVD plated finish by Richter Precision.
And it shoots. It shoots real good. It has almost no recoil, no muzzle flip, and makes neat little, ragged, one hole groups. Fast and smooth, reliable and handsome. It’s a pretty cool gun. As I mentioned, these are almost impossible to build with parts so difficult to procure. But we wanted to share this with you and hope you enjoy a look at what is certainly a “one of a kind” custom gun, the “DWM Smython Elite.”