This 4 inch pre model 29 four screw is Class A engraved, animal scenes both sides, 1956-57 serial numbered, has the last two serial number digits "hand stamped" after the first four, with the dark blue box. A.A.White/Eng is marked clearly on the frame. The stocks are "Cokes" with no other engraving on them. There's no factory letter (yet).

I've seen Doc44's pictures of engraved guns. These are indeed works of art.

Will a "letter" get me details such as factory engraved when AAW was working for them in the 50's versus done by him at his company, who ordered it done in the first place, engraving details, etc?

There's a gunbroker AAW with a good photo of an AAW letter dated 1985. Did he really engrave this late in his career? This would mean 30+ years as a master engraver.

I still can't believe I'm touching a real AAW.

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ars1...Congratulations on acquiring a great S&W. The factory letter on your 44 Magnum will say something about AAW if S&W sent the gun to him for engraving. If the 44 was purchased through regular channels as a plain gun and then sent to AAW for engraving by the owner, the letter will not say anything about AAW.

I have several 44 Magnums engraved and inlaid with gold by AAW. Three are connected to him through S&W's records and one is not. The one that is not makes no mention of AAW in the letter.

A picture or two of your AAW gun would be appreciated.

Bill

In the later years , White had his own company for awhile and various engravers worked for him, so guns from that shop may not have been personally engraved by Whiite. Unfortunately, as I recall , the notorious gun swindler and felon, R.L.Wilson, was connected to that firm, which did not help the shop's image & reputation.

Your gun was done may years before that and Al White was certainly in the top two or three engravers in the US in the 50s.
Ed

Photos added

Wow, that one's just stunning.

-S

Very Nice!

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Super engraved 44 Magnum!!! AAW's animal work in gold is the best. His grizzly and mountain lion are some of his favorite animals and he was a master at inlaying them.

Bill

I am speechless and those that know me know that doesnt happen often

On many of the guns that Alvin engraved during the same time period, he also carved magnificent custom stocks, usually with diamond pattern ivory inlays around the screw escutcheons. Ed #15

Very impressive work! Thanks for sharing that with us.

Jerry

My exact feelings.

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

I will get a factory letter. This gun came to me via the internet auctions. A real sleeper even though correctly identified. I asked the auction house on the "consignee" and was told this was a one-off and not other guns consigned by that individual. I can only assume the original owner didn't have decendents that could appreciate it. This was very evident when I got the gun "DIRTY". Why would anyone "spin it" let alone shoot it. It wasn't bad, but I could just see a couple "nephews" getting hold of old Uncle's real pretty gun and shooting it.

I did clean this gun "delicately" with Cleanzoil, clean white rags, and nylon bristle brush. No wire brush will ever touch this gun. I didn't remove the cylinder and don't see any reason to touch the chiseled screw.

Having never owned anything like this, what' the recommended treatment to store this gun?

Outrage that somebody had the audacity to shoot the gun...

That's exactly why I could never be a serious collector (even if I could afford such luxuries... which I can't). If I can't shoot it then I don't want it regardless of what it looks like.

I'm such a... peasant!

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No life story has happy end.

According to my AA White Inc catalogue from 1973 they employed over 2 dozen craftsmen at the time.
RL Wilson was VP & MD at the time.
Congratulations on obtaining such a beautiful revolver. I would love to see, handle and shoot it.

I prefer Renaissance Wax for protection of the exterior, and Corrosion X in the barrel & chambers. Since I can't afford engraved guns, I don't know how the wax takes to the deep relief of the engraving, as you have to rub it out to keep it from turning white in the deep cuts. I use well washed cotton T Shirt material for buffing.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Another excuse to look at that stunning gun! I had forgotten about it, so seeing the thread again today was a pleasant reminder.

I know this is an "old" thread, but I really love this Alvin White gun...and it deserves another run to the top.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan