Steve,

Thanks for those pictures of the Kornbrath engraved guns that Ed mentioned. Not only was the engraving done by a professional engraver, I expect that the grips (ivory?) were also. Note that the heads show real 3 dimension with contour to the muzzle. Apparently some of the W&K customers had special requests that they honored.

Ed,

Although you dont specify just who the San Antonio hotelier was, I would make a bet that it was the Minger family. The Minger Hotel is still there next to the Alamo as it has been since 1859. A visit to their bar should be on the must do list if you are visiting SA. One of my close friends dated a Minger daughter in college and I've always felt that he let that one slip through his fingers.

Bob