44 magnum gold engraved HELP!
- Thread starter Kyle6547
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No idea who did the work, but that a lovely gun and the engraving looks really good to me.
Bee and White typically signed their work (based on what I've seen). Have you looked it over closely with a magnifying glass?
Bee and White typically signed their work (based on what I've seen). Have you looked it over closely with a magnifying glass?
I have several 44 Magnums engraved and inlaid by Alvin White. He normally inlaid a small gold or silver block in the grip frame with A A White Engvr debossed on it. I am confident the 44 was not engraved and inlaid by Mr. White. I am not sure how Angelo Bee signed his work.
I've seen that gun recently, just can't remember where at the moment. Not Bee, or White, I don't think but nice. Did you acquire it recently? RKmesa will remember it for sure and he'll be along to comment. Nice gun, very nice gun.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
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Bee signed most of his, definitely the one I have, with a tiny bee and ABEE.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
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As to the engraver, my guess would be Shiro Ogawa /REI Engraving. It looks to be a very nice gun.
Beautiful gun. The Cat reminds me of a T/C
I think so
I found his japenese website and this does appear to be VERY similiar
Katsuo.Iura - Japanese hand engraver - profile
I found his japenese website and this does appear to be VERY similiar
Katsuo.Iura - Japanese hand engraver - profile
I don't know who did the work, but you sure know how to make a GRAND entrance on a forum!!
It looks really nice to me, of course, I always love gold inlayed animals on revolvers. Thanks for sharing.
Larry
It looks really nice to me, of course, I always love gold inlayed animals on revolvers. Thanks for sharing.Larry
Not knowing anything about you pistol other than .44 mag and the serial number, I called S&W customer service and got a 1969-1972 date range. That would have been the time frame REI was in business as mentioned above.
Robert E. Izenstark (Bob) founded REI Engravers located in Park Forest IL. The company was in operation from 1968-1973. Bob Izenstark hired Japanese engravers including master engravers Shiro Ogawa and Hiroo Sugaya as well as their interns. Shiro Ogawa sometimes signed his work "Ogawa" but the others did not. One source says Ogawa was the head engraver and the others were not allowed to sign their work.
I see similarities between your pistol and known yet unsigned REI work. I have several S&W's that have engraving attributed to Hiroo Sugaya but they are unsigned as well.
I don't think Ogawa or Sugaya engraved your pistol, but it may have been one of the unknown interns under them.
I'm still waiting to see what RK thinks.
Robert E. Izenstark (Bob) founded REI Engravers located in Park Forest IL. The company was in operation from 1968-1973. Bob Izenstark hired Japanese engravers including master engravers Shiro Ogawa and Hiroo Sugaya as well as their interns. Shiro Ogawa sometimes signed his work "Ogawa" but the others did not. One source says Ogawa was the head engraver and the others were not allowed to sign their work.
I see similarities between your pistol and known yet unsigned REI work. I have several S&W's that have engraving attributed to Hiroo Sugaya but they are unsigned as well.
I don't think Ogawa or Sugaya engraved your pistol, but it may have been one of the unknown interns under them.
I'm still waiting to see what RK thinks.
I believe it probably is REI
I inherited this pistol from my grandpa who passed away. Along with many other cool guns that I am keeping…. This is the only one he never brought around and no one knew about
He did grow up in Chicago whenever he first moved here post WW2 from Germany
He was in Chicago for many years til coming to Indiana
I inherited this pistol from my grandpa who passed away. Along with many other cool guns that I am keeping…. This is the only one he never brought around and no one knew about
He did grow up in Chicago whenever he first moved here post WW2 from Germany
He was in Chicago for many years til coming to Indiana
The man to ask is Roger Bleile. He has helped me out on several. I'll PM you his email address.
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I'm not sure if I'm helping or misleading...
I know just enough about this to get myself in trouble.
Has the gun been offered for sale anywhere recently? I'm sure I've seen those inlays, or another gun very much like it, recently.
Jeff
SWCA #1547
Jeff
SWCA #1547
