|
|
 |
03-07-2009, 08:49 AM
|
 |
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 9,400
Likes: 1,322
Liked 30,433 Times in 4,368 Posts
|
|
Class A+ engraved in 1960, this 44 Magnum, S196691 (high serial number for a revolver with no model number), was shipped in 1965 when S&W reduced their inventory of engraved revolvers. It is virtually new in the clamshell presenation case. The smooth stocks are made of rosewood.
Bill
|
|
The Following 30 Users Like Post:
|
69HEMI-R/T, amazingflapjack, Bobbysixkiller, D1911, da gimp, Dennis, fyimo, HWayne, Jack Flash, JohnRippert, jsfricks, Lee's Landing Billy, M1A, Mblhopo, Nedroe, nevada duke, Ol Sarge, ParadiseRoad, paragain, pawncop, Rad29, retiredbadge8091, richcory, RKmesa, S&W Oldtimer, semperfi71, shouldazagged, singleshot1, sophie, wheelman44 |
03-07-2009, 08:49 AM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 9,400
Likes: 1,322
Liked 30,433 Times in 4,368 Posts
|
|
Class A+ engraved in 1960, this 44 Magnum, S196691 (high serial number for a revolver with no model number), was shipped in 1965 when S&W reduced their inventory of engraved revolvers. It is virtually new in the clamshell presenation case. The smooth stocks are made of rosewood.
Bill
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-07-2009, 09:46 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Lat 47 / Lon 121
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 9 Posts
|
|
WOW!!! 
It makes my A engraved 629 look like a "C"
Thanks for the pic.....Notime2
|
03-07-2009, 10:43 AM
|
 |
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The kidney of Dixie.
Posts: 10,509
Likes: 49
Liked 13,410 Times in 3,290 Posts
|
|
There must be a reason why God doesn't want me to have things like this.
You posted another engraved gun that was shipped much later than the serial would suggest. Did guns sent for engraving tend to set around in the shop for extended periods of time or did the engraving take that long to complete?
__________________
No life story has happy end.
|
03-07-2009, 11:14 AM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 9,400
Likes: 1,322
Liked 30,433 Times in 4,368 Posts
|
|
This particular revolver was kept in the factory collection for about five years before being sold. It was most likely displayed at S&W during that time, or used as a show sample.
Bill
|
03-07-2009, 12:10 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 10,418
Likes: 10,423
Liked 28,226 Times in 5,272 Posts
|
|
Whimper!! Man that's purty!!!
__________________
Eccentric old coot
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-07-2009, 01:32 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 610
Likes: 194
Liked 128 Times in 66 Posts
|
|
Nothing but CLASS, Bill
__________________
Martin Co,FLA(finally made it)
|
03-07-2009, 01:38 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: South West Suburbs IL
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 82
Liked 108 Times in 49 Posts
|
|
What a Beauty! Did you use to work on the 44 mag assembly line 
|
03-07-2009, 04:01 PM
|
 |
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 4,634
Likes: 2,805
Liked 4,156 Times in 1,126 Posts
|
|
"There must be a reason why God doesn't want me to have things like this."
I feel your pain.
I get excited over a scratched-up model 10.
Exquisite :
marked by flawless craftsmanship or by beautiful, ingenious, delicate, or elaborate execution <an exquisite vase> b: marked by nice discrimination, deep sensitivity, or subtle understanding <exquisite taste> c: accomplished , perfected <an exquisite gentleman
That pretty much sums up Doc44's revolvers.
__________________
SWCA #2420
|
03-07-2009, 04:49 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Rogers Arkansas
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 4,808
Liked 1,085 Times in 468 Posts
|
|
Very beautiful and very tastefully done, I have never seen one in person but after seeing your picture I am impressed, its real eye candy.
|
03-07-2009, 06:00 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: PA
Posts: 739
Likes: 540
Liked 435 Times in 197 Posts
|
|
Hi Bill:
Really great gun! Mr. Smith engraving??? I think the late '50's and early '60's engraved 29's are much better engraving than most first or second year guns I have seen. (Most of what I have seen you have owned!) It seems that a lot of the guns were almost A+ engraved.
Bob
|
03-08-2009, 02:28 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Northern Minnesota
Posts: 711
Likes: 172
Liked 227 Times in 126 Posts
|
|
WOW! That's A+ all right -- about the nicest engraved revolver I've seen!
|
03-08-2009, 05:21 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Arizona
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
Beautiful gun as usual Doc.
Thanks again for posting pictures.
Jeff (GUNKWAZY)
|
03-08-2009, 03:28 PM
|
 |
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 1,551
Likes: 104
Liked 3,169 Times in 604 Posts
|
|
Bill,
the design and style are extraordinary....intricate and delicate, yet complete. I love it.... who did the engraving?
Terry
__________________
Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA
|
03-08-2009, 03:53 PM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 9,400
Likes: 1,322
Liked 30,433 Times in 4,368 Posts
|
|
Terry...based on guns with similar engraving, I would say it is the work of Russ Smith.
Bill
|
03-08-2009, 04:13 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,026
Likes: 1,061
Liked 774 Times in 375 Posts
|
|
Bill, do you find it any more difficult to keep your engraved guns clean, with all the little nooks and cranny's, than a non engraved gun? I mean what ever you use, does it tend to build up or be more difficult to remove from the art work?
|
03-08-2009, 04:42 PM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 9,400
Likes: 1,322
Liked 30,433 Times in 4,368 Posts
|
|
Not really, since I don't shoot them. However, if I need to clean them, I use Clenzoil with a soft toothbrush. I then wipe the revolver off with a clean T-shirt. Works just fine.
I lightly "cleaned" the one in the photo this way before I photographed it and it turned out very well. It was not very "dirty" to begin with since it had not been fired since leaving S&W (or, at least I don't think it was).
Bill
|
03-08-2009, 05:04 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,026
Likes: 1,061
Liked 774 Times in 375 Posts
|
|
I know that you don't fire a lot of these fine weapons, I should have been more clear. I was referring to routine normal cleaning and wipe downs. Sorry for the poor way I asked it.
|
03-09-2009, 10:38 AM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Greenfield, NH
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Doc, In your opinion or guesstimate, how long does it take an artist to create a gem like this?
Bob
|
03-09-2009, 02:23 PM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 9,400
Likes: 1,322
Liked 30,433 Times in 4,368 Posts
|
|
I would estimate between 120 and 150 hours of actual engraving time. I don't know how many days those hours would be spread over.
Bill
|
03-09-2009, 02:32 PM
|
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Bolivar, MO
Posts: 6,360
Likes: 3,558
Liked 3,242 Times in 1,100 Posts
|
|
Dayum Bill another sweet gun!!
How does one get to be in your will??? 
|
03-09-2009, 03:09 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Greenfield, NH
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Doc44:
I would estimate between 120 and 150 hours of actual engraving time. I don't know how many days those hours would be spread over.
Bill
|
Thanks Bill. I find that time incredible. Chisel and mallet!!!! I have no standards to measure that. Lord love a duck.
Bob
|
10-15-2016, 02:27 AM
|
 |
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: AZ
Posts: 7,412
Likes: 27,871
Liked 45,707 Times in 4,811 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc44
Class A+ engraved in 1960, this 44 Magnum, S196691 (high serial number for a revolver with no model number), was shipped in 1965 when S&W reduced their inventory of engraved revolvers. It is virtually new in the clamshell presenation case. The smooth stocks are made of rosewood.
Bill
|
Bill:
Did you ever determine that it was R. Smith that engraved this beauty? It has some qualities (very fine detailed engraving in tight spaces) of Mr. Rentzschke's work... I really love the cylinder work...WoW!!  If that is Russ Smith, I believe that it is one of his very finest pieces...
__________________
Richard
Engraved S&W fan
Last edited by RKmesa; 10-15-2016 at 02:34 AM.
|
10-15-2016, 07:20 AM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 18,520
Liked 11,103 Times in 3,302 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc44
I would estimate between 120 and 150 hours of actual engraving time. I don't know how many days those hours would be spread over.
Bill
|
Fantastic gun.....like all Doc44's are! I must have missed it's original posting years ago. I find the time estimate fascinating.
__________________
Miss My Buddy crsides!!
|
10-15-2016, 09:53 AM
|
 |
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: N GA
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 204
Liked 3,613 Times in 1,498 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc44
Class A+ engraved in 1960, this 44 Magnum, S196691 (high serial number for a revolver with no model number), was shipped in 1965 when S&W reduced their inventory of engraved revolvers. It is virtually new in the clamshell presenation case. The smooth stocks are made of rosewood.
Bill
|
I really like the serial number. The engraving is not the only thing that's special about that gun, but that engraving is spectacular. You do have a knack for finding the creme de la creme! 
|
10-15-2016, 11:19 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Pacific North West
Posts: 112
Likes: 175
Liked 258 Times in 62 Posts
|
|
So, Doc... do you still own this beauty, or is that a stupid question?
I can only think of one improvement and that would be some very tasteful gold line work.
__________________
I'm too windy for 30 chrctrs!
|
10-17-2016, 06:31 PM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 9,400
Likes: 1,322
Liked 30,433 Times in 4,368 Posts
|
|
I still have this 44 in my collection and have confirmed it was engraved by Russ Smith.
Bill
Last edited by Doc44; 10-17-2016 at 11:48 PM.
|
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-17-2016, 11:44 PM
|
|
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 19,336
Likes: 53,737
Liked 38,387 Times in 11,802 Posts
|
|
Oh, my, my, my... <sigh>
__________________
Oh well, what the hell.
|
10-17-2016, 11:54 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 18,773
Likes: 6,048
Liked 5,762 Times in 1,992 Posts
|
|
That revolver is beautiful beyond words and the engraving work is flawless.
|
10-19-2016, 04:53 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Marana, AZ
Posts: 628
Likes: 2,108
Liked 3,098 Times in 500 Posts
|
|
Exquisite!
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|
