SK Guns Los Niños Heroes: the 2026 SHOT Show Gun of the Year
SK Guns introduces a custom 1911 variant in .38 Super Auto dedicated to the "Los Niños Heroes", dedicated to the heroic military cadets of the battle of Chapultepec
SK Guns Los Niños Heroes: the 2026 SHOT Show Gun of the Year
It was the SK Guns 2026 SHOT Show Gun of the Year: the "Los Niños Heroes" is the latest creation from America's only series-driven, limited-edition manufacturer of custom firearms, limited to only one of 200 Colt 1911s chambered in .38 Super Auto, and will be distributed starting in April.
SK Guns' new creation pays homage to the "Los Niños Heroes de Chapultepec": Mexican military cadets Juan de la Barrera, Agustín Melgar, Vicente Suárez, Francisco Márquez, Fernando Montes de Oca, and Juan Escutia, most of them teenagers, some mere children. At the battle of Chapultepec of Sept.13, 1847, during the Mexican-American war, these cadets defied their orders to retreat and sacrificed their lives in the fight to defend Mexico City's Chapultepec Castle.
The most famous legend tells of Juan Escutia, who, rather than allowing the Mexican flag to fall into enemy hands, wrapped himself in it and leapt from the castle walls, becoming an enduring emblem of devotion to Mexico.
Their actions came to symbolize loyalty, courage, and ultimate sacrifice in defense of their nation, and their bravery has become a symbol of national honor and patriotism in Mexico.
Today, their memory is preserved through monuments, annual commemorations, and civic education throughout Mexico. Los Niños Héroes of Chapultepec are not only part of Mexico’s military history, but a core element of its national identity, reminding future generations that acts of courage and honor can resonate far beyond their moment in time.
While historians continue to debate certain details of the battle, the legacy of Los Niños Héroes lies less in exact facts and more in what they represent. They embody the spirit of youthful dedication to national sovereignty and the willingness to place duty above personal safety.
Details on the left side of the gun’s slide frame the six cadets with 24k gold adjoining the six soldiers and flower scroll indigenous to Mexico; these flowers represent hope and national pride, dignity and creative resilience with inner strength. On the rear panel in 24k gold is the iconic Colt serpent logo.
The right side of the gun’s slide features the Altar a la Patria monument in Chapultepec Park built in commemoration for the Los Niños Héroes all in 24k gold and bordered, flower scroll of Mexico’s national flowers match that of the left side.
The top of the slide further replicates the Chapultepec Castle with name and year in 24k gold. Towards the back the Mexican Eagle for its era with the engraving Battalon Activo De San Blas ("San Blas Active Battalion") – a Mexican infantry unit formed in 1823 which the cadets were attached to.
The frame, slide, barrel and hardware are all highly polished and feature 24k gold of select areas and controls in a deep Colt Royal Blue finish. 24k gold plating is selective on this commemorative, made complete with a gold Colt rampart medallion inserted on presentation-grade black Kirinite grips.
The SK Guns Los Niños Heroes pistol is currently priced at $2,700.00 in the US; orders can be placed only on the official SK Guns website.
