In November, SK Guns quietly opened a portal to the past with the announcement of its new Mayan Empire series featuring Colt 1911s chambered in .38 Super. Only 500 will be made, each marked with its unique engraved edition number, ensuring that every piece carries both rarity and reverence.
The Mayan civilization, which flourished across Mesoamerica from roughly 2000 B.C. to 1500 A.D., was a society of astonishing sophistication. Towering pyramids pierced the skyline, intricate carvings narrated history and belief, and astronomical insight charted the heavens with precision that still impresses scholars today. It is this intricate interplay of art, science and spirit that SK Guns channels in its latest creation.
The inaugural run pays homage to K’inich Janaab’ Pakal, or Pakal the Great, who ruled Palenque for nearly seventy years beginning in 615 A.D. Under his stewardship, the city-state blossomed into a beacon of architecture and learning. The Temple of the Inscriptions, still standing, shelters Pakal’s elaborately carved sarcophagus—a testament to his era’s ingenuity and grandeur.
Every curve and surface of the Mayan Empire Pakal the Great 1911 is meticulously considered. The left and right sides of the slide showcase engraved pyramids bordered in 24k gold, intertwined with scrollwork depicting hieroglyphics, sacred beliefs and patterned textiles. The slide’s crown displays Pakal himself, surrounded by additional hieroglyphics and a depiction of the Mayan calendar.
Polish meets power in the frame, slide, barrel and hardware, accentuated with strategic 24k gold highlights. The controls are finished in a deep Colt Royal Blue, and the presentation-grade black grips feature jade-like medallions crafted from Kirinite and inset with gold, a tactile nod to the civilization’s opulent artistry.
“This new series celebrates a culture that was far ahead of its time and set the groundwork for the cultures of modern Mexico and Central America,” Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns said. “The first edition of the series honors one of the longest and most impactful eras of the empire. Many of the great innovations and architectural works of this period still exist today, and this installment is just one of many ways that the legacy of this empire lives on.”
Collectors and enthusiasts can expect shipments to begin in January 2026, with an MSRP of $3,000. Each pistol is not merely a firearm—it is a handheld museum piece, bridging centuries with every meticulous engraving. Go to skguns.com to learn more.
