Extraordinary Engraved Pre-27 - with Provenance

RKmesa

RKmesa

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As many of you know, I have been collecting engraved Smith & Wessons for a long time. Over the years, I have seen many beautifully engraved guns, some of which I have been able to wrangle into my corral. I can say that this is one of the finest engraved S&W revolvers that I have ever seen. I love the realistic animal scenes, the scroll and the overall execution and layout of the gun. It shipped in August 1951 and the invoice says "FOR ERNEST LIND" At some point in its life, the gun was shipped to Germany, where it was beautifully engraved by Waffen-Bock engraving.

Ernie Lind was a famous exhibition shooter in the 1950s and 1960s - one of the last of his kind (in the Wild Bill Hickock tradition). He and his wife Dot toured the country putting on exhibitions in "His Internationally Famous Shooting Act from GUNTHUNDER HILL".

With that, enjoy the photos of the gun (and some Ernie Lind history)...

















Here is a photo of Dot Lind with the revolver...



And the cover of the GunThunder Hill flyer...



I have posted a few photos of this gun in other threads, but this is the first time that I created a dedicated thread and shared some of the story. I also took a TON of photos of this gun and find almost every angle to be photogenic.

As always, I'd love to hear your observations, thoughts and impressions.

Thanks for letting me share,
 
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Thank you, Sir, for sharing! I have only been a forum member for just under 9 years. In that time you have opened my eyes and mind, to some of the most stunning pieces of artistry and craftsmanship. I fell in love with S&W revolvers about 13 years ago. I based that fascination on their beauty and the fact that I believe they are marvels of engineering, created by true craftsmen of by gone era's. You continually take it up a notch! Displaying examples of world class quality and historic value. The provenance of your revolver is awesome and a credit to the remarkable individuals that made the firearms history. I'm sure their skill not only entertained, but inspired many. Congratulations on obtaining this one. It is truly a masterpiece! I particularly admire the detail to the bear and the beveled edges to the cylinder faces and flute corners. Besides the high polish to the steel, is there any other treatment to the bare metal, that has preserved it so well?
 
Exquisite revolver! The contrasting background really makes makes the engraving stand out nicely. Great Lind family provenance! Congratulations on adding it to your collection.
 
Richard, I only have one word for this firearm . . . WOW

Waffen-Bock did a truly over the top job on engraving of this one

The auction said Ernie made the grips, that is just awesome.

Ernie and Dot were well known for their bullet hole art. I See that stuff up for auction quite frequently
 
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flundertaker said:
I assume the stocks are ivory? So the gun has been fired or was Dot just posing with it?
Click to expand...

The grips are beautifully scrimshawed ivory and the gun has been shot. If you look closely at the photo of Dot Lind and the gun, you will notice that it had a different set of grips on it (a darker set), and a different front sight (looks like a Blanchard Red Ramp) at the time the photo was taken.:)

I also think if Dot fired the gun in that position, it would wreak havoc on her eardrums and she may even get some burns when the burning powder escapes the barrel cylinder gap. :eek:
 
mchom said:
Richard this gun is stunning!
Pardon my ignorance but what is the finish ?
It seems very unique but I’m not well versed regarding different styles of engraving.
Click to expand...

I'll take a stab at the finish, not that I know what it is, but I've heard the name---and it's the first thing that popped into my mind------french gray.(??)

I also don't know how it's done----??

Ralph Tremaine
 
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mchom said:
Pardon my ignorance but what is the finish? It seems very unique but I’m not well versed regarding different styles of engraving.
Click to expand...

Dino44 said:
...Besides the high polish to the steel, is there any other treatment to the bare metal, that has preserved it so well?
Click to expand...

rct269 said:
I'll take a stab at the finish, not that I know what it is, but I've heard the name---and it's the first thing that popped into my mind------french gray.(??)

I also don't know how it's done----??

Ralph Tremaine
Click to expand...

The finish on this gun is definitely nickel. It does have an antique nickel look to it - but then the finish is probably more than 70 years old. The contrast in the background and the flats is the engraving treatment doing its job - namely the background is muted and does not reflect much light - effectively creating a shadow, while the flat "mirrored" surface areas reflect a ton of light resulting in the contrast you see when looking at the gun. When handling the gun in person, the background darkens as you angle it just a little bit. Photographing it at a slight angle in a light box, the flats pop and the background shadows even more.
 
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lestert357 said:
Richard, I remember we briefly discussed this before, but can you give us a few words on the very interesting configuration…..pre-war ejector rod and barrel, correct?
Click to expand...

Terry:

The the gun does in fact have the larger pre-war extractor rod knob, and the corresponding cut out in the barrel shroud - something you can see well in this photo:



As to the "why" - I wish I knew... I do not recall seeing another post Transitional 357 Magnum with this configuration, with the exception of this "Sasha Siemel" 357 Magnum (SN S76977 - shipped in May 1950), which has the cutout in the barrel shroud, but does NOT have the pre-war larger knob.







Regardless of the why, I find this feature to be another unique and fun attribute of the Ernie Lind Magnum.:):cool:



lestert357 said:
Is the ramp base the plain or reflector style?
Click to expand...

The front sight base is just the regular base held on by the two standard pins (the rear one of which needs to be clocked about 15 minutes to align the engraving):rolleyes:...





... in all the photos that I took of this gun, I realize that I did not take a photo of the top of the front sight.:eek::rolleyes:
 
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