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10-17-2020, 11:22 AM
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More Factory Gold...photos added
plus custom engraving. S179009, ordered through Rex Firearms in New York by Raymond Vanyek, Los Angeles, CA in October 1957. This 44 Magnum was engraved in Germany and shipped to Rex Firearms by S&W on December 27, 1957. It was invoiced to Rex Firearms at $720.00, which is the most expensive S&W I could find in the records from the 1950s and 1960s. It is also the most heavily inlaid factory engraved gun made post-WW II I have seen. It took over 120 hours to complete.
S179479, given to Walter Sanborn, S&W Assistant Sales Manager, on May 9, 1958 who had the gun engraved through Rex Firearms by Alvin White. Mr. White also carved and inlaid the stocks with scrimshawed ivory diamonds. The 44 Magnum was then returned to Mr. Sanborn.
N629187, prototype Model 629, custom engraved and inlaid with gold in 2001 by Wayne D' Angelo. S&W, following the purchase by Safe-T-Hammer was eliminating its engraving department (but, only for a short time) and when the S&WCA met in Springfield, MA in 2001, the company decided to auction their stock of engraved guns to S&WCA members via a sealed bid. I purchased this revolver directly from S&W and it was shipped to my dealer in September 2001. This Model 629 was also featured on S&W's engraving brochure.
Click on each photo for a much better look (photos by Paul Goodwin).
Bill
Last edited by Doc44; 10-18-2020 at 09:13 AM.
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10-17-2020, 11:29 AM
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WOW!?!? That's all I can say! VERY nice.
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10-17-2020, 11:34 AM
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I wonder why did S&W auction off their entire stock of engraved guns? (Instead of offering them for normal sale through dealers, assuming they weren't doing that already?)
Were the examples they did auction off internal samples built for advertising/display/gifts to management or were they built for actual sale and were simply never bought?
Very nice examples either way, especially the example with engraved stocks having diamond ivory inlays.
Last edited by tenntex32; 10-17-2020 at 11:39 AM.
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10-17-2020, 12:12 PM
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Banned
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Love the Rhino! Not particularly appropriate, but lovely none the less~looks very lifelike.
Is that a dead penguin with the Polar Bear?
Tarnish on the White scrollwork?
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10-17-2020, 12:20 PM
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As usual some pretty stunning examples. Thanks for sharing them.
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10-17-2020, 01:00 PM
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The only 44 Magnum purchased from the auction in 2001 is N629187. I think S&W was giving S&WCA members first shot at buying these guns. Any that did not sell were most likely sold through regular channels.
A dead seal is at the feet of the polar bear. Alvin White inlaid with gold and silver wire. Silver tarnishes over time. I little Wenol on a Q-tip takes care of it.
Why is a rhino not appropriate? Just curious as I have 44 Magnums with an elk, a moose, a grizzly, a wolverine, a Narwhal, or a Bengal tiger on their side plates and other animals located elsewhere on their frame (lynx, rattle snake, deer, quail).
Bill
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10-17-2020, 01:14 PM
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Banned
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Bill,
Wenol?
Appropriate in the eyes of the beholder~~
It really is a magnificent gold inlay on a spectacular revolver, What does the other side look like?
Thanks!
SDH
Last edited by SDH; 10-17-2020 at 01:18 PM.
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10-17-2020, 04:12 PM
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Bill:
Three beautiful guns.  Thanks for sharing them with the rest of us. I always love it when you post your treasures. 
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Richard
Engraved S&W fan
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10-17-2020, 08:53 PM
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Thanks for sharing the "other side". 
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Richard
Engraved S&W fan
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10-17-2020, 09:10 PM
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Dear lord that is gorgeous!
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12-19-2020, 07:39 AM
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Throwing this tread to the top - three beautiful guns in one thread - delightful on a Saturday morning.
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Richard
Engraved S&W fan
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12-19-2020, 09:56 AM
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Very nice,......Also what exactly is wenol..(never heard of it).......................M*
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12-19-2020, 10:24 AM
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Wenol (in the blue tube) is similar to Flitz, but I find it to be better for use on firearms finished in bright blue and nickel.
Bill
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12-19-2020, 10:25 AM
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Bill,
BEAUTIFUL!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SDH
Bill,
Wenol?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mblhopo
Very nice,......Also what exactly is wenol..(never heard of it).......................M*
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Easy to find sellers with Google.
The BLUE is the gentler variety. Red is more aggressive.
Click on Polishing Tips here-
WENOL Metal Polish :: Distributed by Enviro Cool
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Regards,
Lee Jarrett
Last edited by handejector; 12-19-2020 at 10:35 AM.
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12-25-2020, 05:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SDH
Love the Rhino! Not particularly appropriate, but lovely none the less~looks very lifelike.
Is that a dead penguin with the Polar Bear?
Tarnish on the White scrollwork?
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Honestly tried to refrain from responding, but.....
REALLY?!?
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12-25-2020, 06:46 PM
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Those are waaaay cool. I am not a huge fan of engraved firearms, I certainly appreciate the skill and talent that went in to that work.
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1601 (ret)
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12-25-2020, 08:56 PM
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With all the great engravers works to be seen, A.A. White's work has never been superceded on my list. A multi talented artist and one I would have liked to have known.
Thanks for sharing some of your collected gems.
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