We have just seen quality---with a CAPITAL Q!!
Ralph Tremaine
Ralph Tremaine
The right-hand stock has an odd curve, it matches the stocks on the other gun someone posted pictures of. On that era revolver, the right-hand stock almost matched the speedloader cut of the left side if the roll stamp was on the right, but was a convex curve if the stamp was obverse. Did the engraver have that stock re-cut to match his engraving border or to allow for more space to engrave?
And, there is no S&W seal roll stamp on either side. I believe on that era revolver it was a small stamp beneath the thumb latch on the left side, and there are some nice spirals where it would otherwise be. Did he eliminate the roll stamp by engraving through it, or I wonder if the gun was ordered without the roll stamp. I notice the L-frame pictures above show the roll stamp in place and engraved around it.
I don't know what it is about my eyes/brain combination that's seemingly drawn to imperfections (specifically "elbows" or "corners" in arcs, or varying thickness of a line), and maybe I'm no different than anybody else; but I spot such little glitches almost immediately---without consciously looking for them---and it seems like I spot them in almost any work. It struck me I didn't see any such the first time around looking at this piece, and I went back for seconds---even thirds and fourths------deliberately looking for any.
I don't qualify as a fan of engraved guns, but I most certainly appreciate the display of the mind boggling talent of the artists----never mind the occasional little boo-boos----it ain't like they can erase them, and start over.
This artist stands alone---on this piece anyway, with a display of absolute perfection; at least in the eyes of this observer.
Ralph Tremaine
Thanks for all the comments and likes. Here are a few more photos of some of the details...
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If you look closely, you can see the engraver's signature bordering the edge of the grips ("Engr. By A. Tuscano"). A classy way to let everyone know who engraved this gun. I am very glad that he signed his work.
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The engraving is over the top and I am a 41 mag collector, but what I would like to know is please tell me your method of posting pics of this quality. Not the camera, but how?
I use Photobucket, a web hosting site...