This beautiful old 2nd Model dropped into my lap today at the gunshow. It was sporting Jay Scott Fake earl Magna grips and the only thing I had to put on it were these older vintage Gold Medallion stocks.
Anyways Serial # 682940 engraved by Master Engraver Benno Heune. the gun was sent back to S&W in 1945 & 46, I am guessing to have the Kings Cockeyed Hammer and front Reflector Sight installed and then to be reblued after engraving. my pictures suck and will try to take better ones later. I am in shock still.


I think Forum Member DHenry has a RM engraved by Benno also. When I googled the name I found this posting on an engravers site. the posting was taken from this Forum by the engraver

"Heune was a member of the Firearms Engravers of America, and lived in Bridgeport, CA.
His first foray into engraving came in 1944, while he was convalescing at a military hospital at Pearl Harbor. He engraved knives and guns for fellow servicemen, charging .25/word (!).
After WW II, Heune returned to Modesto, CA, where he worked as a firefighter.
In 1955, he left the fire service to buy a sporting goods store and marina in Bridgeport. (Ed knew 'Ben' then, also through his work as a guide)
Ben studied under Jack Morris in their saddle and silver shop, and he did some contract engraving work for silver shops in Reno, NV.
20 years after buying the sporting goods store, Heune sold it and took up the practice of engraving with (and teaching classes on) the 'Gravermeister, hand-engraving machine.
The 'Gravermesiter' is best likened to a miniature air-hammer, in that it is a compressed-air-powered graver, and allows the complex engraving of very hard materials (like guns).
Heune eventually sold Gravermeisters, conducted class on both manual ('graving') and Gravermeister engraving. His students ranged in age from the very young to the elderly, and there are still folks active in the profession who remember him and his classes.
Most of them I've corresponded with mention his "...kindness and patience.", and the lasting impact he left on their work and lives.
Ben Heune also taught NRA engraving classes at Lassen College in California, and for Rio Grande in Tucson, Arizona.
As Ed mentioned in a previous post, 'Heune' means 'elk' in German, and Heune signed his work (on the underside of the frame, in front of the trigger-guard) with an elk head and rack, with the name, 'Heune' below.
Benno Heune passed away in 1999.
His tools, books, stencils and other ephemera belong to a nice gentleman who's an art/jewelry engraving teacher in Stockton, CA.
He's in the process of gathering up and organizing all the material to donate it to an engraving museum.
Benno Heune wrote what is considered to be the best introductory book on engraving ever..."Basic Engraving".
The style on RM 1234?
Probably comes closest to a 'New York' style.
It is minimal, probably to allow the fine original bluing on the gun to show well.
Interestingly, the engraving on the sides of the topstrap (considered the most difficult area to engrave on any gun) exhibits very small and intricate patterns.
I'm obviously no expert on engraving, and frankly I purchased # 1234 to fill out an empty spot where I had previously sold another 6-1/2" RM.
This 'ancillary'/historical provenance is what keeps me in the hobby!
I hope this somewhat long post doesn't put everyone to sleep."
Don
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DHENRY, 01 April 2008 01:41 PM "

here is a link to that posting
Back to 1936...

VERY nice! Wow what a beauty, thank's for shareing this one!

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Stay safe people!

My goodness...Dan, I luv ya like a brother, but sometimes you disgust me with that horseshoe always up your patootie!!

What a fine, fine gun that is!

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John

Hi John,

Sometimes I amaze myself with the luck I have too. After looking at the gun some more it was engraved before the Front sight was installed. Im still in shock with the walk in guns at this show. Tomorrow a guy is bringing in a Triplelock that has been Kings Super target converted. I cant wait to see it. and if its priced right who knows

Dan

That is SWEET!!!!!!

Hi Steve,

Well if you read my Post I said "Im Guessing". And while I suppose your suppositions are just as possible as mine, I DON'T CARE. The Gun is what it is, when was the last time you found a 2nd Model K22 Masterpiece? I personally know nothing about Benno Heune other than what I posted so I appreciate you sharing your obvious EXPERT opinions.

Thanks

Dan

Dan...Very nice and unique K-22 Masterpiece.

Bill

That is one beautiful K22 Dan! Congrats on a spectacular find!

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Misty

Dan:

What a beautiful piece. You did notice that it is not nickle and does not have a steer head any where on the gun??? The engraving is stunning (a bit more detailed than your trademark nickel BBQ guns). And although not exactly "time period correct", those large gold medallion service grips are the perfect addition from an aesthetic perspective. Someone(s) has put a ton of effort into making that a shootable work of art.

I guess with as many shows as you go to - good things happen to those who are patient. I would love to see it in person - please bring it to the next Phx area Gun show.

Congrats my friend!

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Right place at the right time.Great snag! I'm envious.

Dan,

Congratulations on finding that one. I hope to be able to see it someday. Maybe at the 2010 S&WCA Tucson show?

Don't let anyone try to take anything away from your joy in finding that one. It's a gem and extremely rare all in itself. It's a legit K22/40.

You did great.

Tom

Agreed Dan. I don't think anyone is is going to have anything but wonderful things to say about your beautiful revolver. You have already heard from the official "parade rainer" of the forum.

Congradulations on that beautiful piece. Anyone would be proud to own it.

Please don't let one negative influence stop you from sharing your wonderful treasures with those of us who appreciate it. Keep em coming!!

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S&WHF 483 , S&WCA 1699

Envy Stricken Nay-Sayers aside, that is a very unique, desirable rendition of exquisite, historic work performed on a very, very difficult to find revolver.

Cream of the Cream.

After the year you've had Bro, it's good to see you find such a fine piece.....

Su Amigo,

Drew

Dan, nice roscoe!

Want to sell that front sight?

David Wilson

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David Wilson

Dan, As you know, you & I talked on the phone about this gun when it walked into the show yesterday and you were looking at it. Being the nice guy I am, I didn't suggest that you immediately pull that gold plated horseshow out of you patootie and kiss it, but I was thinking that! You said it was a .22 Masterpiece, but didn't tell me it was a 2nd Model, which is rare enough w/o any of Benno's scratchings on it! Steve has some good points regarding timing of what might have been done at the factory and until we can get our hands on the work order/invoice for the gun, we can only guess at what was done. S&W would & did install King parts on guns and a customer's requests, and would also ship guns to King for the installations. As Don mentioned in his early earlier posting, I was acquainted with Benno, and during his time in Bridgeport I visited his shop there whenever deer season was open and we made the trek from So, Calif. to the area for the trophy size Bucks there. You might also enjoy the story behing Don's RM#1234. It was found right under your nose in Tucson by an eastern visitor a few years ago! He took in back east and contacted me about the possible origin of the gun's engraving, etc. It had a set of beautifully carved grips some one had applied earlier, maybe Benno, as the grip carving and the gun's engraving were complimentary. I was at a Tucson gunshow shortly before I heard from the new owner of #1234 and had picked up a pair of mint N frame service grips, with the serial number on the back of the right grip panel. I call Jinks and asked him if that serial # was a HD or a RM. Bingo! It was for RM # 1234 ! And guess what? The new owner of RM 1234 didn't want them! He said they would not look right on the gun, due to the after market engraving not matching service style grips, which I can understand. Now your problem is to find a nice pair of matching BBQ grips for your new gun. If that is too frustrating, just ship me the gun & I'll refund the couple $100 you had to shell out for it! Ed (PS: Let me know when you are coming by Clem's - maybe I can squeeze in a trip there.)

Outstanding gun, Dan. Second Model K22 AND outstanding engraving! Hard to top that.

Bob

Gentlemen,
I read this post early this morning, and was about to offer my opinion that there were some really good points here. It is good info, and I personally agree with every point mentioned. A rather urgent errand prevented my posting at that time.

I will add that the poster's attitude, demonstrated by the sections in blue above, seems rather pleasant to me. I apologize to all for being mostly absent from these sections lately, and only make the excuse that it is for the greater good in evolving this board. I intend to be present more in the near future.
All that is said to declare that I really don't have a good grasp on the recent dynamics in this section, but, taking this post at face value, the responses could be a bit mellower.

As you know, I have invited many members back that have been absent from our midst. I truly desire to see unity, as much as humanly possible, amongst those of us truly interested in the pursuit and advancement of S&W knowledge and collecting.

I am not at yet at liberty to discuss more changes that are possible for this board, but there are some very interesting possibilities ahead. We have an opportunity here to enjoy this hobby like never before.
My advice, and I hope always my habit, is to move on from the present.

I may as well be frank. There have been feuds among us. Cliques have come and gone.
I do not contend that we shall revamp human nature, heal all wounds, nor make the lion lay down with the lamb. I merely ask that posters give thought to what they post, and that readers take posts at face value. Try to get along. When someone gets grossly out of line, we shall certainly sanction/censure them. If not out of line, don't heap fuel on a smoldering fire.

We have a good man down today in our loss of Ray Cheely. He was always pleasant, always the consummate gentleman.
Let's honor that.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Well said, Lee. And, Dan, I forgot to mention in my post above that Benno L. Huene is in Bleile's book, "American Engraver", see page70. There is a brief bio. and a couple of pages of pics of his work. Benno was primarily an artist and then an engraver, as you can tell from the perfection of his game animals engraved on guns & scrimshawed grips. He used to set up a table at the old Great Western Gun shows in Los Angeles in the 80s and show his skills and sell engraving tools, etc. Ed.

You doin' the bran muffin thing again??

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John

My Lord.

I'm truely sorry to hear that. Mr. Cheely was a fine, honorable man.

God Speed Ray.... I'll miss dealing with you.

Drew

Hi Lee,

Sorry if my tone was a little sharp. A 14 hour drive to the show, setting up at the show, then 10 hours on my feet made me a little cranky I guess. I 1st saw Steves post late last night on my middle of the night old age run to the restroom. I decided to sleep on it, I enjoy posts informative and proven with fact always, what I dont enjoy are posts that are not fact, and are speculation that runs a gun down or supposes that this could be wrong or that may not be right. I was fully aware of everything that was posted and would have worded the post to say it that way if I had wanted to.
My Dad whipped it into me as a kid, You dont have anything nice to say, Keep your mouth shut. (trust me when I say whipped! You know me and my mouth).

You are right about the comradery that I feel 99.9 percent of the time and I really want to thank you for the wonderful things you have done here on the forum.

Thanks to all you guys and gals for your wonderful comments and now I have that dreaded return drive ahead of me.

Ed I will be at Clems either tomorrow afternoon or Tuesday Morning. It all depends how far I get past Vegas Today

Rest In Peace Ray, you will be missed

The gun doesn't look like this since yesterday. The big glob of drool I left on it up at Reno knocked the value down 30%. Dan was about 12 tables in. I asked him how the guy with the gun made it this far. Lucky for Dan a big money dealer by the door slept in late (the triple lock guy, Dan). His stuff was covered up till eleven in the morning. Special deal at Mustang Ranch I hope. Remember the horse race in "The Sting"? The guy said, " Ya' shoulda put yer money on Lucky Dan!" And BTW, DM. Thanks again and drive careful.

Wyatt,

I relly enjoyed meeting you FTF, hope to maybe see you in a couple weeks at the Big Reno show. Theres a Non Reg Magnum on hold for me there

Great meeting you too, Dan. You had me spinning around the parking lot on the phone when we both that that other guy was each other. Is the next show in the same place? This one was no bigger than the lame Sacramento show but there were lots great deals all over the place for non S&W guns, and, obviously for you, some S&Ws as well. That (for me) '66 saddle ring carbine replica I couldn't get for example. Keep me updated on that other deal we talked about. I will be able to afford it in two days. Then we'll work it out later.

Dan,

Very nice! And a hard to find model at that!!

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Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245

Hey, Dan
Recent trips have had me 'out of the loop' for a bit, so I missed the original post.
Truly a magnificent gun, and I must say you have a good eye for quality!
Ed is always a great source for the arcane knowledge that nobody else has, and (as he indicated), he actually knew Benno.
Keep up the good work.
Don

I know this thread is old but I'm try to track down a benno huene engraved revolver for my wife sarah huene granddaughter of benno huene. Thanks in advance I can be contacted at [email protected]