Jim Boland Info

[Jyoti]

My grandfather recently left me a 1911 38 super with the name Jim Boland on it in a box with James Boland signature and receipts for the work done in 1988. Does anyone have a resource of information I can get about this guy? I brought it to a gun show and had a small handfull of people remark about him, but nothing of real great value (That and it seems people at the gun shows just try to make you think they know about something when they really dont)

Anyhow, I have been doing research and only see references to him and nothing really concrete.

Any help would be appreciated.
http://www.fab-equipment.com/photogallery/boland.jpg
http://www.fab-equipment.com/photogallery/boland2.jpg

[coilspring]

My condolences in regards to the loss of your Grandfather. I'm sorry to say that Jim Boland has also passed on. Boland was a very talented smith who's shop was in the San Fernando Valley. I had Bruce Grey do some work for me about 23 years ago when he worked out of Boland's shop. I want to say it was in Van Nuys but I cannot remember for sure... Boland was very helpful and I remember him as being a real nice man. Your Grandfather's compensated 38 Super looks like a excellent example of Boland's work. I hope that owning it will bring you comfort and happiness. I'm curious if your Grandfather lived in the Los Angeles area? There is information regarding Boland on Pistolsmith.com and likely on this great site as well if you use the search feature. Your Grandfather had great taste. I really do hope that your Grandfather and Jim Boland are together and at peace...
Coilspring

[Jyoti]

Thank you, that is the type of info I have been looking for. My grandfather did live in LA and has about 5 or 6 silver bowls from Camp Perry from the mid 60's in pistol M1911's. Garand was his passion however. The Boland gun was actually commissioned by a friend of my grandfathers and he was willed the gun. Such an interesting gun and shoots so nicely that I just had to find out more about it.

The other 1911's are easy to figure out as the work was done by my grandfather (bomar sights and trigger work with some heat treatments as allowed in the rules of competition at Camp Perry at the time).

[Bladeandbarrel]

Jyoti, did you get my email?

A few things regarding your Boland.

The Comp is called his "Double-D"
The thumb safeties were called "gas pedals" and the slide guards were called "Mud flaps"-his words.

He was an official "rocket scientist" at Lockheed or Hughes and an incredible gunsmith.
His work was rarely pretty in a traditional sense, but the ingenuity always turned me on.

My Boland .45 is one of my favorite plinkers.

Could you scan the work order and post it? I would love to see it. Also, what brand of barrel is in your pistol?

[Jyoti]

My grandfather probably knew him then as he was also a "rocket scientist" :) worked for hughes and rockefeller.

I will get you a copy, just gotta gently get it off the box as it has been taped up.

The barrel is a Barsto with Springfield slide

[Baldy]

Now that's a great family treasure. Good luck with it.

[Gunfighter123]

Hello Jyoti,
Your Grandfather must have thought very highly of you - he left you a Masterpiece !!! I have some information on the Late,Great Jim Boland and his pistols --- email or PM me if you are still interested in more info.
GF123

[Gunfighter123]

Jyoti --- got your PM and have sent you some Boland info.
Talk soon -- GF123

[9major]

I have a Jim Boland comp gun. Built on a Series 70 38Super Combat Commander.

He built it into 9Major and added the milled Aimpoint mount and the milled into the frame mounting point.

I had heard that he had died. I miss him a bunch as I had been looking for him to make a few changes.

Who ever said he was a "nice guy" must not have spent much time with him. He was an arrogant, cynical, ******* and I loved him for it. He was an artist and a visionary. He had no problem saying "I don't have time to talk to you today" and just walk in the back of his shop leaving you to.. well... leave.

I'd love to have any additional info any one might have on him and his work.

bburge