Picture request: engraved Bodyguards

[Lufbery]

Hi all,

I'm coming out of lurk mode. As a child of the 70s and 80s, I haven't really gotten used to S&W's reuse of model names; to me a Military and Police is a model 10, and a Bodyguard is a J frame of the model 38 family.

I'm turning 50 in a few years, and I'm thinking about buying a 38 or 49 and getting it engraved, perhaps with my name on it. I'd put some fancy grips on it and that would be one hell of a birthday present.

Do you folks have photos of engraved Bodyguards to share? I'm looking for inspiration.

Thanks,
-Drew

[jebstuart]

Mod. 38 is aluminum alloy I think and might not be as suitable for engraving, but others would know more than myself.

It strikes me that I don't see many engraved hump-backs. I don't know - maybe I'm just not looking. Maybe most people simply think the poor thing's just to ugly to try and dress up. I love'em! It's kinship. We of the less hansom class have a loyalty to each other that you "attractive" people will NEVER understand.

Anyway, I have a Mod. 49 Bodyguard that's factory engraved, as follows:

[shouldazagged]

Looks to me like the 49 is a great canvas for engraving. That's a beauty.

[ParadiseRoad]

...none of these are mine...just photos I have collected...

[Lufbery]

Those look beautiful! Thanks for sharing, everyone.

Jeb, I really like the factory engraving. Did you commission the work?

Regards
-Drew

[Ivan the Butcher]

My EDC is a 49 no dash, that was "Metal Life" (Teflon) coated before I bought it a couple decades ago. The action is so smooth. I bought a post lock 638 about 8 years ago and owned it 3 weeks, none of the spring and polishing tricks could get it acceptable to my spoiled way of thinking. A co-worker bought it for his mom to use CCW; she had never had a great S&W action before, so she loved it!

So my recommendation is find an older gun you like, then have an engraver do his magic to create the gun you'll carry all the way to the Pearly Gates!

Ivan

[jebstuart]

Originally Posted by Lufbery

Those look beautiful! Thanks for sharing, everyone.

Jeb, I really like the factory engraving. Did you commission the work?

Regards
-Drew

No, I found it locally just the way it is. The pictures were awful and I could barely make it out. I consulted RKMesa (the engraved revolver "king") and pounced on it. I've always liked the humpbacks a lot and was giddy to get it, it's the only factory engraved Smith I have.

[NavySCPO]

Originally Posted by jebstuart

No, I found it locally just the way it is. The pictures were awful and I could barely make it out. I consulted RKMesa (the engraved revolver "king") and pounced on it. I've always liked the humpbacks a lot and was giddy to get it, it's the only factory engraved Smith I have.

Jeb, anyone who thinks that 49 is ugly just doesn’t have a true appreciation for firearms!

That is a Beauty!

[shouldazagged]

Originally Posted by Ivan the Butcher

So my recommendation is find an older gun you like, then have an engraver do his magic to create the gun you'll carry all the way to the Pearly Gates!

Ivan

I have the gun I'll take to wherever I'm going, but can't afford the engraving.

I think the humpbacks are tied for my favorite candidate for engraving with the Colt 1903.

[NavySCPO]

Originally Posted by shouldazagged

I have the gun I'll take to wherever I'm going, but can't afford the engraving.

I think the humpbacks are tied for my favorite candidate for engraving with the Colt 1903.

You said the Secret Word! (Colt 1903). It’s not engraved, unless pitting counts. And it’s still ugly, but it’s back together and it fires perfectly.

[jebstuart]

Originally Posted by NavySCPO

You said the Secret Word! (Colt 1903). It’s not engraved, unless pitting counts. And it’s still ugly, but it’s back together and it fires perfectly.

What"ta...... What is that? Did that used to be a 1903? I thought I had made some saves in my time! But....

[NavySCPO]

Originally Posted by jebstuart

What"ta...... What is that? Did that used to be a 1903? I thought I had made some saves in my time! But....

1908 .380, yep it was a quest just to see if 1) I could get it back together after I took it down and 2) To see if I could get it to fire. It sat in Kroil for more than a month before I could even get the slide to move. It’s not pretty but I succeeded at both. After working on this one you fully realize what a true genius John Browning was. The 1903 and 1908’s were VERY complicated firearms.

[les.b]

I have a model 49....but instead of dressing it with engraving, I put on a nice set of ivories, and a Tyler T Grip, and gave it a nice Mitch Rosen sharkskin trimmed holster. I think they have a charm all of their own!!



Best Regards, Les

[white cloud]

I think you can also have functional elegance. If you buy into that line of thought, then "humpbacks" become very elegant indeed. Thanks to all for posting some stunning bodyguards.

[Lufbery]

My very initial concept is to have my full name above the cylinder latch and the Pennsylvania coat of arms on the right side. I'm a civil servant (and proud of it) but also my 4x great grandfather was in the 2nd PA Cavalry during the Civil War and their battle flag featured the state coat of arms. A certain level of scroll work would cover the rest -- perhaps like Jeb's 49.

[Ivan the Butcher]

My Great grandfather finished out the unCivil War. in a PA Cav. unit, I'll have to as my brother which one.

Coats of Arms, Crests, mottos, and beloved pets (when well done) make the best engraved guns. They don't have as good of resale value, but greatly increase the heirloom value!

Ivan

[WILDPIG]

Jeb, that is beautiful!

WILDPIG

[crsides]

Old thread, new posts. Picked this up at the local show today. thanks Jim S.

[Lufbery]

Originally Posted by crsides

Old thread, new posts. Picked this up at the local show today.

Oh, that's nice. I really like the grips too. I wonder where they're from.

Thanks for posting!

[crsides]

Ivory and they feel great in the hand.

Any body recognize this?

[colt_saa]

I posted this Factory Engraved 649 when I got it, but that was a while ago

The 649s began the AFNxxxx serial number series. This pictured 649 is the 39th one manufactured.

25 of the 43 revolvers between serial numbers AFN0016 and AFN0058 were specially selected for what Roy Jinks describes as Class "A+" engraving

Even though the 649s were Officially introduced in 1985 at the SHOT Show, production of the 649s began on December 6th of 1984. After all, it is kind of nice if the Distributors can fill orders as soon as the buying public hears about it

The Factory invoice for this revolver shows that it was shipped by itself to Ellet Brothers on April 19th of 1985, just four months after being manufactured.

I really like the coloring of the Factory supplied African Elephant Ivory stocks

[krsmith58]

WOW , those are some of the best looking revolvers i have ever seen . thanks to all for sharing . kenny , texas

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by colt_saa

I posted this Factory Engraved 649 when I got it, but that was a while ago

The 649s began the AFNxxxx serial number series. This pictured 649 is the 39th one manufactured.

25 of the 43 revolvers between serial numbers AFN0016 and AFN0058 were specially selected for what Roy Jinks describes as Class "A+" engraving

Even though the 649s were Officially introduced in 1985 at the SHOT Show, production of the 649s began on December 6th of 1984. After all, it is kind of nice if the Distributors can fill orders as soon as the buying public hears about it

The Factory invoice for this revolver shows that it was shipped by itself to Ellet Brothers on April 19th of 1985, just four months after being manufactured.

I really like the coloring of the Factory supplied African Elephant Ivory stocks

Yours is the first gun I thought of when I saw that photo request! I often admire it in your avatar.

[lawandorder]

Charlie those grips are very unique in their design. Any clue or ideas who the maker was?

Thank you for sharing your beautiful revolver!

[OldK22]

Not engraved but a nice original Nickel Bodyguard with interesting stocks.

[crsides]

No clue as to grip maker. Pulled them last night, but no info on grips. Engraver signed the butt frame CW
3/A. Maybe if we can figure that out, it will lead us to the grip maker. Grips feel great in hand and it definitely had an action job.

[Hoosier45]

Originally Posted by crsides

No clue as to grip maker. Pulled them last night, but no info on grips. Engraver signed the butt frame CW

A/3. Maybe if we can figure that out, it will lead us to the grip maker. Grips feel great in hand and it definitely had an action job.

I once owned a set of K-frame wooden grips quite similar to these. Let me sort through photos and post a few for comparison.

[crsides]

I would say you nailed it!

[crsides]

Moved another set of ivories onto the bodyguard. They were hiding on a 2" kit gun in the back of the safe. You can click on the pic and get more of the engraving detail.