Alvin A White - engraver

[Souffaloufagous]

Hi!

I saw an old thread about AAW engraved revolvers, and am starting up a new one to get some fresh conversation going!

I'm a family member (granddaughter) who is curious of any pictures to share or favorite pieces they have. If you know of any of his work in upcoming auctions, please let me know via Private Message. I unfortunately missed a big auction in 2019 and was greatly saddened to miss the chance to bring some of those important pieces back into the family.

Forgive if this is the wrong place to post! I also started a similar thread on the colt forum as well.


He did keep engraving after the 70s. Even into the 80s, he still was always dedicated to his art and did some basic painting, engraving, scuplting, etc, as a therapeutic way to help maintain motor skills after his stroke, but the pieces were more personal and not meant to be up for sale/clientele.

Bonus pic of a gift he gave me when I was little, an engraved whale tooth.

 

[Truckman]

Welcome to you, what a great first post!......Ben

 

[22hipower]

I don't have any of his work but sure wish I did. I'm sure there are some here who do. Welcome to the Forum.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, Sarah!

 

[bamabiker]

Welcome to the forum and I believe I speak for a lot of members when I say your grandfather's work is incredible.

 

[Doc44]

The 44 Magnum was engraved and inlaid with gold and silver by Alvin White in October 1956. The work was commissioned by Smith & Wesson as the revolver was to be presented to the President of Rex Firearms in New York. Per notes from Mr. White, he considers this work the most elaborate he ever completed on a S&W firearm. He also engraved and inlaid the stocks with ivory diamonds. Click on the photo for a better look.

The second photo is of .357 Combat Magnum, K260003, the first production revolver completed by S&W on December 15, 1955. It was engraved and inlaid with gold and silver by Alvin White in 1961/62. The work was commissioned by S&W as the revolver was to be presented to President John F. Kennedy. Unfortunately, the presentation was never made this revolver was in private collection for over fifty years until I acquired it about twelve years ago. The ivory stocks were carved by Mr. White and are unique. Click on the photo for a better look.

The stocks on the two Magnums demonstrate Mr. White was a Master Engraver using metal, wood, and ivory.

Bill

 

[RKmesa]

Sarah:

Welcome to the forum. There are many of us here on the forum who cherish the work that your grandfather did. Here are some photos of a few in my collection...

Registered Magnum:









This one was featured in his catalog...



Combat Magnum:









A couple of Colt Single Actions:



























AAW was a very talented craftsman that left a legacy of beautifully engraved firearms.

 

[mikepriwer]

Here is a picture of the butt ffor the short-barrel Combat Magnum posted above.

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[Green Frog]

Welcome to the S&W Forum, Ms Sarah. I've never owned any of your grandfather's work, but regard it as the standard by which all other engraving may be judged (and usually comes up short!) His was both technically and artistically just about as close to perfection as we'll ever see.
Good luck with your quest.
Green Frog

 

[RKmesa]

Not only was AAW a great engraver, he was talented carver and his ivory work was some of the finest. I really like the grips on that SAA above. Here are some closer-ups:.

 

[hardknocks]

A white

Hello all
My brother in law was fortunate enough to be under the tutelage of Alvin White (one of the few) he is a master engraver and a interesting guy.
The examples shown here are above impressive, you must be proud of your Grandpa.
Regards
Mike

 

[boykinlp]

Hi!

I saw an old thread about AAW engraved revolvers, and am starting up a new one to get some fresh conversation going!

I'm a family member (granddaughter) who is curious of any pictures to share or favorite pieces they have. If you know of any of his work in upcoming auctions, please let me know via Private Message. I unfortunately missed the big RockIsland auction in 2019 and was greatly saddened to miss the chance to bring some of those important pieces back into the family.

Forgive if this is the wrong place to post! I also started a similar thread on the colt forum as well.


He did keep engraving after the 70s. Even into the 80s, he still was always dedicated to his art and did some basic painting, engraving, scuplting, etc, as a therapeutic way to help maintain motor skills after his stroke, but the pieces were more personal and not meant to be up for sale/clientele.

Bonus pic of a gift he gave me when I was little, an engraved whale tooth.

Sarah, I have been a member here for a good while and whenever I see a post that has your grandfather's name, and there have been quite a few, I always know it will be "drool worthy"! I believe you will be pleased. Owning a gun that has gone through his master hands would be a bucket list item for me for sure!
Larry

 

[Imissedagain]

Pics below are from "the art of engraving" by James B Meek.

 

[Souffaloufagous]

OMGGGGGGGG! Thank you all for your wonderful photos and warm welcome.

I am happy to report that I acquired last week an early rifle he made when he was a teenager- it will be coming home in the upcoming weeks.

 

[Souffaloufagous]

The 44 Magnum was engraved and inlaid with gold and silver by Alvin White in October 1956. The work was commissioned by Smith & Wesson as the revolver was to be presented to the President of Rex Firearms in New York. Per notes from Mr. White, he considers this work the most elaborate he ever completed on a S&W firearm. He also engraved and inlaid the stocks with ivory diamonds. Click on the photo for a better look.

The second photo is of .357 Combat Magnum, K260003, the first production revolver completed by S&W on December 15, 1955. It was engraved and inlaid with gold and silver by Alvin White in 1961/62. The work was commissioned by S&W as the revolver was to be presented to President John F. Kennedy. Unfortunately, the presentation was never made this revolver was in private collection for over fifty years until I acquired it about twelve years ago. The ivory stocks were carved by Mr. White and are unique. Click on the photo for a better look.

The stocks on the two Magnums demonstrate Mr. White was a Master Engraver using metal, wood, and ivory.

Bill

His ivory work always stunned me, but I am BLOWN away by both the a) intricate wood engraving and b) the way he captured the tiger in gold inlay.

Fun story! He used to work at a college ring making factory. Once upon a time, he walked around with sticky tac on his shoes to gather up gold shavings to make such inlays on his earlier works. LOL. He was a riot until the end.

 

[Souffaloufagous]

Sarah:

Welcome to the forum. There are many of us here on the forum who cherish the work that your grandfather did. Here are some photos of a few in my collection...

Registered Magnum:









This one was featured in his catalog...



Combat Magnum:









A couple of Colt Single Actions:



























AAW was a very talented craftsman that left a legacy of beautifully engraved firearms.

stunning stunning STUNNING. Ugh. His eagles were the best IMHO, pretty apparent since they are one of the more frequent animals to grace his works. Obviously he never hunted eagles, but for other creatures like foxes, deer, etc, he did hunt animals and when skinning,would pay attention to the anatomy to better represent them in his carvings.

Dang. These are stunning. We have no revolvers left in the family, only a handful of flintlocks. Would love to see pieces like these in person some day. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Souffaloufagous]

Hello all
My brother in law was fortunate enough to be under the tutelage of Alvin White (one of the few) he is a master engraver and a interesting guy.
The examples shown here are above impressive, you must be proud of your Grandpa.
Regards
Mike

OMG I will PM you !

 

[Truckman]

He used to work at a college ring making factory. Once upon a time, he walked around with sticky tac on his shoes to gather up gold shavings to make such inlays on his earlier works. LOL. He was a riot until the end.

A true innovator (not to mention opportunist)......Ben

 

[Souffaloufagous]

Sharing some pics of my mom's coach rifle!

Not a S&W obviously, but thought i'd share a more personal piece...

 

[Frieda's Boss]

Sharing some pics of my mom's coach rifle!

Not a S&W obviously, but thought i'd share a more personal piece...

Love it! Thanks for sharing with us. We LOVE pics around here, S&W or not. Please feel free to share any more pics you have in this thread!