Bling, Bling - The Other Engraved Model 41... An Italian One

[RKmesa]

In a recent thread, I posted photos of a beautiful blued engraved Model 41 with gold inlays. Here is a link to that thread:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...ved-gold-inlaid-model-41-a.html#post141783482

In that thread, I also posted that I had purchased another beautifully engraved Model 41. This one was engraved by the master engraver Gianfranco Pedersoli, and the engraving is full coverage and in so fine a detail that it takes a magnifying glass to truly appreciate. It also has been carried and some of the gold wash finish has rubbed off, in a not so unpleasant way...

Per Roy Jinks, it shipped in Feb 1972 and per the records he was reviewing, he thought that there was something special about it (I probably need to letter it). Anyway, here are some photos. I hope that you enjoy it.






























His signature, and a photo of the gun on top of a book dedicated to Gianfranco Pedersoli:





As always, I welcome your thoughts, comments, observations or questions.

Thanks for letting me share,

 

[KSK]

Great looking Model 41, Richard. The Pedersoli engraving is incredibly detailed and well laid out. It makes a nice pair with your other one.
-Karl

 

[wagwan]

Wow! Just Wow! That's beautiful work. Thanks for posting the pictures.

Who the heck carries an M41? Especially that one!

 

[444 Magnum]

That's beautiful engraving, Richard. I like the way Pedersoli broke up the tight scrolls and even changed direction to give relief to the pattern. Expertly done.

 

[Krogen]

I like it! I love the little details that show up in your photographs. I don't think I've ever seen an engraved magazine floorplate. Your photos are gorgeous! Your gun is well suited to the the golden sunrise occurring at this moment.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

How many hours did that beauty take? Wow!

 

[sophie]

Absolutely a masterpiece of engraving. Never have I seen the engraving so fine and fully covered. I see what you mean about needing a magnifying glass to fully appreciate the engraving. Even the rear sight and magazine base. Beautiful.

 

[Ruger 13]

Very nice lookin pistola!

 

[cougar015]

Richard, As usual, you do not disappoint. Your guns are always magnificent and your photo lay out and quality of pictures is second to none. Thanks for sharing.

 

[sceva]

Just WOW, Even the sights are engraved

 

[ladder13]

My thoughts? WOW Richard.

 

[SS336]

Just WOW, Even the sights are engraved

I know, how are you supposed to keep the front sight in hard focus when the rear sight is so beautifully engraved.

 

[Baxter6551]

Amazing !!!! What fine craftsmanship.

 

[Walter Rego]

Outstanding ! Not only the sights were engraved but even the safety lever.
The blued parts look like they may have been given a fire blue treatment, especially the trigger. Correct ? They sure look great against the gold.

Hard to tell from the photo, but did Pedersoli also engrave the tip of the cocking indicator too ?

 

[RKmesa]

The blued parts look like they may have been given a fire blue treatment, especially the trigger. Correct ? They sure look great against the gold.

You are correct on both counts. The blued parts are fire blued and yes they really do pop against the gold background.

Hard to tell from the photo, but did Pedersoli also engrave the tip of the cocking indicator too ?

With the attention to detail that Pedersoli gave this gun, an engraved cocking indicator head would not have surprised me. But looking at it fairly closely, it does not appear to be engraved...

 

[reddogs]

Amazing the tight engraving. Don't have to worry about anyone coping that one.

 

[Krogen]

I went back and spent more time with your photos. Your 41 just makes me smile. I'm about to go plug my laptop into my big desktop monitor and take and even closer look.

I am wondering about something. There's a single letter P on the frame adjacent to the magazine floorplate. It seems logical that it represents the engraver's last name. But what is the rationale for placing the single letter in that place when the engraver's full name is elsewhere?

 

[RKmesa]

I am wondering about something. There's a single letter P on the frame adjacent to the magazine floorplate. It seems logical that it represents the engraver's last name. But what is the rationale for placing the single letter in that place when the engraver's full name is elsewhere?

Good question. I believe that "P" is a fitter's mark or an inspector's mark, as there is the same "P" on all three of my Model 41s...

Some quick iPhone photos of the my other two for comparison:





...but when I first saw the P, my thoughts were the same as yours...

 

[sipowicz]

Wow. Beautiful! But you said it was carried! Who in their right mind would carry that? Liberace?

 

[kev74]

Beautiful pistol!

Its kind of neat to see something that nice that's been used like its supposed to be.