TLA #5 K404 - Birdshead grip frame

[cubrock]

Did a deal for this a couple weeks ago and can now post a couple pics of it.  I had seen this gun sell on Gunbroker quite a while back (at least three years ago).  The owner was only about an hour away from me at the time.  I didn't have the inclination to spend the money on it then.  Had I known I would buy it a few years later for 40% more than it sold for then, I might have reconsidered....

K404 is the only #5 so far known that was built with a birdshead grip frame.  This gun confirmed something I had suspected for several months now - that Grover used assembly numbers on his parts during at least one production period.  On some guns, you find only serial numbered parts.  On this one and another I own, parts that are often serial numbered, like the cylinder, triggerguard, and backstrap, have matching assembly numbers instead, but no serial number.  I've even seen assembly numbered lock work on one gun. 

I doubt I'll shoot this one, as I've never been a fan of a birdshead grip frame on a gun with any kind of recoil.  However, this gun is worth having to show that Bill Grover would build just about anything special order.

Enjoy!

[Boge Quinn]

You go, brother!

Shame it seems either me or you have to buy a TLA to get any action of this Board!

[Graybeard]

Yup that's a shame. I reckon the interest in the subject really is quite limited either that or those with an interest just don't wanna talk about it or haven't found this place. Still it is here for those who do wanna talk about them and by you guys posting about them it does establish a bit of a reference site for such info.

[cubrock]

I do appreciate this forum, even if all it ever is is a repository for our growing body of knowledge about TLA guns.  We shouldn't be surprised at how little activity there is here.  The guns are so scarce that not many people have them and very few new people see them any given year.  Add to that the fact that they are not written about much anymore.  It is too bad Grover had closed up shop just as the internet was coming into its prime for fora such as this one.  Not only would it have helped his business, more information about his guns would have been recorded for all of us to learn from down the road.

[Boge Quinn]

Don't get me wrong, Graybeard - I muchly appreciate this place! Rarely updated as it is, it's still the best place on the Web for TLA lovers to congregate. There is a Yahoo group, but who the hell wants to fool with that? 

Cubrock, Gunblast is going to try to remedy that shortly.

[pmeisel]

Beautiful gun, and I am glad somebody is talking about them.  You rarely ever hear about them anymore.

[Axehandle]

Ha!  If Cubrock and Boge wern't bogarting all the TLAs more people would have one to write about!   

[Boge Quinn]

 

LOL, Axe.