Larry:

This gun was almost two years in the making. Phil always says (and I agree) something to the effect that, "quality takes time"... especially when an artist is creating something that is a one of a kind showpiece. I very much enjoy being involved (and I use that word very loosely) in the creative process, and I like supporting artists and craftsmen. So for the past multiple years I have always had some project in Phil's shop. Progress photos and updates are always something that brings a smile to my face, even if they come a year or two after the project is started.

The grips are the one-off custom creation of grip wizard Keith Brown. It would be nice of you could buy a set of grips like these off the shelf. The synthetic material truly is beautiful. And the craftsmanship and attention to detail is beyond compare. The grips look like ivory, feel like ivory, and per Keith, the material checkers and works like ivory. I have grown to love the combo of Phil Quigley engraving with Keith Brown stocks and find that they complement each other nicely.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Beautiful engraving that I could spend a lot of time looking at with a magnifying glass. The gold wire work is flawless and the backgrounding is special. Thanks so much for sharing.
Jake

For those of you interested in the process, Phil just uploaded a video with some in-process engraving with narrative related to the creation of this project. Here's a link (click the "Watch on YouTube" to see the video):


Kind of fun for those of us who love engraved guns.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Great gun!

thanks for sharing
Kurt

Several of you asked how it shoots and sadly I have to tell you, I don’t know. Prior to it being engraved it was a shooter 3.5” 27-2 that I picked up at a local gun show, because it was reasonably priced and I’m addicted to the short 27s. I never took it out on a shooting trip, because I have another 3.5”er that I love to shoot. And now that it is engraved, I will probably never shoot it... With that said, I would expect that it would be an excellent shooter, just like all of my other S&W Model 27s.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Those grips are gorgeous and exactly what I am looking for to put on a Dan Wesson Model 41V with 8" barrel.


Finding someone to do it for a Dan Wesson product is becoming a challenge.

Attached Images

M41V.jpg (88.2 KB, 44 views)

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Chris S.
Fort Lauderdale, FL

That is one fine looking revolver!

This ticks pretty much all my box's of things I dislike, or don't care for.
Don't like engraved guns.
Don't like leaf patterns.
Hate gold inlay on guns.
Don't like n frames shorter than 5in.
White grips are ugly.

With the deck stacked against it that much, the level are artistry and skill in this piece is at such an exceptional level, it may be the most beautiful gun I've ever seen period.

Now that makes me smile.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

... and here it is in its Glenn Dean commissioned case:

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Some artists choose canvas or marble, and then some choose.... True artwork!

Timeless elegance... nothing else to say other than what a treasure!

Absolute perfection!! Enjoy it in good health!!

Damn, here we go again - fourth keyboard this year.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

How does it shoot ? Ammo type ?

Wow. One of the most beautiful guns on the planet
Congratulations Richard!

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Paul

Perfection is an understatement.

That is a beautifully done revolver, thanks for showing us.

Very nice pistola…….tastefully done!

Before it was engraved, it shot very well with any 38 Special or .357 Magnum ammo I fed it. Its shooting days are probably over since it was engraved and I have several 3.5" shooter-quality .357s at my disposal for slinging slugs downrange. [CORRECTION - I just remembered that I did NOT shoot the oak leaf 27-2 before it was engraved - I was thinking of the below Quigley-engraved 27-2 when I posted that I shot it before it was engraved... and this one shot very well ]

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Great gun Richard! Great gold line work. I am intrigued by the three different styles of engraving, the oak leaves on the frame which I really like, the scroll with background on the cylinder and the barrel scroll without full background. Really neat and different and I kind of like it - was that on request or something you engraver did on his own?

Bob

Wow, just wow………I can only dream

Richard, Just a fantastic gun and thanks for the update with the presentation case. Both the case and gun are truly splendid works of art. Earlier today you gave me some pointers on how to get pictures worthy of posting and then I find this recent post by you with Photographer grade pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Wow. Just Wow.

Bob:

Phil (the engraver) and I generally discussed oakleaves on the frame and scroll on the cylinder and barrel. When I first picked it up, the contrast was a bit distracting to me, but over the course of several months, I came to appreciate, like, and enjoy the contrast as something that added to the beauty and uniqueness of this firearm.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

I think it's cool; particularly, the 'shading', hatching and cross-hatching. I see a lot in the 'German-style' engraving and in my opinion, this additional step elevates the overall piece and makes engraving without seem incomplete.

In short, that thing is sweet.

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Rather be outdoors

Richard, I notice the barrel and cylinder. This fine engraving
almost appears to have two distinct styles to me, which fit like a glove.

Finishes aside, it reminds me of what I think of as a pinto engraving job. Awesome.

This post and these pictures create an overwhelming temptation to violate the 10 Commandment.

Am I out of line to ask how much does something like this cost?

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Paul
Salome, AZ

Once again you have left me gobsmacked! The artistry of that engraving is truly beyond words! I especially appreciate the video you posted which answered a lot of my stupid questions. If Louis XIV were living today that would probably be what his revolver would look like. Just the best of the best! Enjoy your beautiful jewel of a gun and thanks again for sharing pictures!

Richard,
I have photographed some spectacular guns, having done all the NRA Museum guns for Jim. Yours is amongst the very best. Keiths stocks are magnificent, and in some ways, better than real ivory (which has rough root material in the base that is tough to polish. My senses said; where is the 24K good bead front sight with a U-notch rear blade, with gold leaf trim on the U. Not a criticism, just an observation...it would "balance the magnificence".
A wonderful example of "Steel Canvas" in real life. Congrats, and Merry Christmas....cannot wait to see it in a proper fitted box.....
Terry

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Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA

Absolutely breathtaking! You got a real Gem there. Envy doesn't express what I am feeling.

Quigley's work on this piece rivals, and is reminiscent of, the old Master Russell Smith who loved the oak leaf motif.


Love the ivory grips - perfect!

Richard, I am typically not into engraved guns but this one has changed that. What an amazing piece of art, just beautiful. Hope to see the art work in person in June.

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Petter
S&WCA 1759

If you watch the video, the engraver answers that question in the comment section.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

When I first started seeing Richard's guns on the forum, I thought he must be much older than I to have accumulated such a lovely collection, and so much knowledge about these fine engraved firearms. I thought of offering myself up for adoption. Alas, I met him at the symposium in Tulsa. A fine gentleman, but too young to adopt an old guy like me. I am always in awe of the guns he shares with us.

Thank you, Richard

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

Man! Oh, Man!

That is such a beautifully balanced piece, for all of the engraving, it's still not gaudy just tasteful. At first I didn't even notice the gold wire because everything just complimented everything else.
I have never been into open carry, but if I owned that beauty I would have to strut down main street with it on full display.

Magnificent doesn't do it justice

Richard, do you by chance have a picture of this revolver after you acquired it and before the engraving? I know some of your engraved guns have been "used" and others have been really nice before being engraved. I was curious where this gem fell?
Larry

Terry, check out post #60 to see the spectacular results!!!
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Wow! That is the most beautiful blued revolver I have ever seen! It's also a rare 27-2 3.5" to boot! I now have to keep practicing my engraving skills to get to that level. I might steal the whole Oak Leaves and Acorns motif you have there to put on my Smith & Wesson model 19-2 357 Combat Magnum

Larry:

I just noticed that I did not respond to this question. Often I do take before photos. I went back and looked, but on this one I failed to take the before photos... As I recall, I found it at a gun show on a small table. It was used and had some wear, a nice "shooter grade" gun. I was going to have this pattern engraved on a longer gun, but in the last minute, I changed my mind and sent this one to Phil to engrave. And I am happy that I sent the 3.5"er. It turned out very nice.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

What an astonishing piece! Everything flows so well. It is truly magnificent. Phil has a way of making metal take shape and sparkle like Harry Winston jewelry. It is a masterpiece and you have an extraordinary collection of from several masters. Thank you for sharing them. I am always in awe.

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Matthew Conrad

As I read the previous observations and comments, I tried to formulate an adroit, clever comment , in an effort to seem not-too-stupid... FAIL! I'm lost for words! Who wouldn't love to get their mitts on a beauty like that. Thanks for posting photos. I'll print them out so that I don't drool on my computer screen.........

Richard, it was nice to actually see this gun at the Symposium last week. Everything about it is simply over the top, those ivory grips are to die for, they are beautiful and fit perfectly.

Thanks for having so many of you beautifully engraved guns there for us to see.

God could carry that with honor.

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My Daddy was a pistol..

Tom:

Thank you for your kind words. I had a great time at the Symposium this last week, with one of the highlights being to catch up with you after too many years.

All the best my friend,

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Wow
When having a job like that done do you explain what you want and help design it or does engraver have carts blanch? Do they charge by the job or by the hr?……. Did he say how many hrs he had into it? I can’t imagine walking away from it then coming back and trying to maintain such a high level of craftsmanship. Just one slip up and ……….

We had a general discussion that I wanted gold line work and an oak leaf motif. Also I was interested in scroll on the cylinder and barrel. With those general guidelines the engraver went to work and used his artistic license to execute.

This was a fixed cost job.

I do not know how many hours he had into it. I do know that it took about 2 years from commissioning to completion... But it was worth the wait.

Master engravers really are talented. They make few mistakes, but over the years, they learn to work their "mistakes" into the art of their engraving.

Hope that this helps,

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Old thread resurrected, and I have to keep reminding myself: "Thou shalt not covet, thou shalt not covet..."

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Only a cold warrior