plus custom engraving. S179009, ordered through Rex Firearms in New York by Raymond Vanyek, Los Angeles, CA in October 1957. This 44 Magnum was engraved in Germany and shipped to Rex Firearms by S&W on December 27, 1957. It was invoiced to Rex Firearms at $720.00, which is the most expensive S&W I could find in the records from the 1950s and 1960s. It is also the most heavily inlaid factory engraved gun made post-WW II I have seen. It took over 120 hours to complete.

S179479, given to Walter Sanborn, S&W Assistant Sales Manager, on May 9, 1958 who had the gun engraved through Rex Firearms by Alvin White. Mr. White also carved and inlaid the stocks with scrimshawed ivory diamonds. The 44 Magnum was then returned to Mr. Sanborn.

N629187, prototype Model 629, custom engraved and inlaid with gold in 2001 by Wayne D' Angelo. S&W, following the purchase by Safe-T-Hammer was eliminating its engraving department (but, only for a short time) and when the S&WCA met in Springfield, MA in 2001, the company decided to auction their stock of engraved guns to S&WCA members via a sealed bid. I purchased this revolver directly from S&W and it was shipped to my dealer in September 2001. This Model 629 was also featured on S&W's engraving brochure.

Click on each photo for a much better look (photos by Paul Goodwin).

Bill