Spectacular Two-Tone Engraved Combat Masterpiece

[RKmesa]

I was lucky enough to pick up this 1958 shipped beauty from a fellow engraved S&W enthusiast at the Tulsa SWCA Symposium. It is a wonderful K-22 that shows off the skill of two talented engravers working in collaboration. Per Claus Willig, "This revolver is very typical for two engravers . My father [Emil Willig] was responsible for gold lines and the animals and Mr. [Gustav] Schildbach, another engraver working for Kurt Jäger Mainz, engraved the oak leaves."

A special example of oak leaves, scroll and gold that makes me smile every time I see it...














...oh, and the carved rosewood grips are pretty easy on the eyes as well...





I hope that you enjoy the photos. [lots of additional detail photos in various posts below]

Thanks for letting me share,

 

[LPD256]

Wow. Just wow. Very nice.

 

[M29since14]

When you said spectacular, you weren't kidding! That's really beautiful. Thanks for the pictures!

 

[quinn]

Stunning Richard. I guess as usual that a range report is out of the question?

 

[KalamazooKid]

Just incredible, what a piece of art! Thanks for sharing!

 

[weatherby]

Exquisite
Being a 22 obviously someone's rabbit and squirrel gun.

 

[22hipower]

And as always, terrific pictures. Sure wish I could take shots like those. Beautiful engraving, glad you were able to acquire it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Bullet Bob]

Is the front of the locking bolt engraved? I need new eyes.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

If that were in a museum it would be behind bulletproof glass.

Handsome falls short. Thanks for sharing.

 

[SS336]

That's absolutely fabulous! Interesting that two engravers worked on it.
It even has a faint turn line. Too cool.

 

[Krogen]

Oh my. . . . It's gorgeous. The detail in the gold inlays is amazing. I like that the stocks are also "engraved." Saying the stocks are merely "carved" falls short of describing their quality.

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Kansasgunner]

Fellas that gun is beautiful in Richard's photos, and seeing it in person it takes my breath away! Just another reason to join and participate in the Smith and Wesson Collectors Association for the opportunity to see guns of this quality outside of a museum at the annual Symposium.

 

[Green Frog]

In a recent thread we discussed the importance of correctly matching the anatomical features of an engraving to the living animals, either in static pose or in "mid-stride". Mr Willig succeeded admirably in both. Mr Schildbach's carving of the oak leaves is both tasteful on its own right and complements Mr Willig's work as well. This revolver defines "World Class"!

The Awed Green Frog

 

[Truckman]

The only word I can call to mind is "WOW!!"......Ben

 

[colt_saa]

Richard,
Congratulations on a fine addition

Like Kansasgunner, I was able to examine this fine revolver in person at the Tulsa Symposium.

I like the use of the French Gray finish on the cylinder and barrel creating a Pinto appearance

The gold inlays are masterfully done and the stocks are gorgeous

 

[mojave30cal]

Very nice scratched up S&W revolver Richard. I had to step
outside to catch my breath, and it's cold outside here in SW
Utah.

 

[CH4]

That is absolutely sublime...

 

[ameridaddy]

What a piece of work!
Any idea how many man-hours go into something like that?
It would take me months just to draw that on paper, never mind cut it into steel.

 

[Iggy]

I usually don't like pintos in guns or horses, but I think I could get used to that one.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[mk70ss]

Outstanding artistry.