I had this gun lettered by The Historical Foundation which indicates it was shipped on December 10, 1913 to Schoverling, Daly and Gale (S,D&G), New York City. It also indicates that the engraving was added after it left the factory. I read that S,D&G commissioned outside engraving shops to perform work, including shops owned and operated by L.D. Nimschke, Gustave Young and other Master Engravers. I realize that Nimschke and Young had passed prior to 1913. However, the engraving appears, to me, to be their style and thought the work was possibly done by someone who studied under one of them. I would appreciate any help identifying the engraver, if that's possible. I am a long time gun enthusiast and retired police officer, thirty-seven years of service, but a new member here.

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Welcome to the Forum. There were numerous engravers operating in the New York area that were trained in Germany and were contemporaries of Nimschke and the Youngs and copied their styles. I don't believe your gun was engraved by any of them, however. The style and work is somewhat mundane, in my opinion and not of the quality seen on most of S,D&Gs dealer engraved guns. The gun was probably engraved after it was sold by them. Ed.

Welcome to the forum. There are many outstanding engraving threads here with amazing photographs. Learn the search function—its easy to use. You can probably spend a day looking at the threads. Here is one I found quickly.

The Engraved Smith and Wessons of the Young family

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Possum—The other white meat!

It looks just like a 32 HE I once had with the same style engraving which I found out was done off shore, possibly Spain if I remember correctly.

Welcome and good luck with your research!

I appreciate the information Moosedog. However, seems like a terrible waste of time and money to purchase a gun from a top-of-the-line gun dealer like S,D&G and have it engraved in Spain. The swim alone would be a major deterrent for me.

I read your thread two or three weeks ago when I was searching. I didn't mention this in my post but sent pictures to Master Engravers in Vermont and Florida and both said they thought the work was performed by someone in the Young Family, possibly Eugene. Anyway thanks for info and that was a great thread on the Young Family.

Here's a picture of the one I had. This gun was actually engraved as a used gun which had corrosion from black powder in the barrel and chambers. Not what you would think of as a prime candidate for engraving unless it was done on the cheap.
I was told by someone in the SWCA back in the 90's that mine was part of a group of used guns that were sent off shore for engraving back in the 60's or 70's by a person who then had display boxes made for them and brought them back to try and sell for a high dollar.
It may have been some where other than Spain but I remember being told it was off shore.
Back then it would not have cost that much and I remember seeing guns that had been engraved in Korea selling in at B McDaniels Gun Shop in Gross Pointe Michigan. Whether those were done by a service person stationed there and then brought in or whether they were sent there for engraving by someone else, I couldn't say.

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I don't agree with them. Sorry, but I see NO similarity at all to any of the Youngs, particularly Eugene.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

The engraving does not look like Nimschke or any of the Young’s work. Further, the pattern is much larger than what was typical period NY style Engraving of the time. It is a nice looking gun, however, based on the style, I would opine the engraving was probably done much later than the revolver was made.

Late to the conversation.
I have to agree with what's been written already. Most likely an aftermarket engraving job by someone after the gun was sold by SD&G.
One thing that might contradict that is if the pistol was shipped to SD&G 'soft' meaning w/o any metal finish.
The gun would have been completely finished assembled, working firearm, and finished polished,,but no bluing or plating applied as it would have been ordered that way with the intention of having it engraved by someone selected by the wholesaler/dealer.

If it was shipped 'blued' (or plated), then it's almost a sure thing it's aftermarket engraving.
The fact remains that the engraving could have been done outside of the factory by a well known engraver.
But in looking at the cutting and pattern, I don't see the characteristics of pattern and skill that I would associate with any of the 'big name' engravers of that time.

The large scroll covering pattern was popular and has taken on the name of New York Scroll engraving. That from the thousands of pieces of work turned out from shops in that city and surrounding area.
Un-named engravers working in small shops cut everything from firearms to dies and stamps big and small to jewelry and some printing plates yet.
Many of the engravers were immigrants. Many were from then quickly disappearing print industry that had used copper-plate printing blocks for illustrations.
Who actually did the cutting and when is something that'll most likely never be answered.
It could have been 80yrs ago,,could have been 18yrs ago.

It's very tough to plant a name and a date when done on an engraved piece. Sometimes the finish done over the engraving can help date it.
Wether the engraving was done hammer & chisel or with air assist engraving tools can sometimes help date it,,at least if the latter. Then you can be reasonably assured it's at least the late 1960's and on.