Does Anyone Recognize the Engraver of this 29-2?

[22hipower]

Earlier this year I bought this engraved 29-2. At the time it was believed to be factory engraved although there was no letter or other provenance with it. The letter arrived this week and confirmed it as Class A factory engraved but, as is usually the case, did not identify the engraver. It has a rather unique engraving pattern, particularly on the cylinder, which is seen on a number of other factory engraved guns, more N frames but on K and Js too. A couple collectors here have examples with the same pattern and one or more are shown in the Kennelly book of engraved S&Ws but without attribution to the engraver. This one shipped on July 15, 1982 which, I think, was after S&W stopped using Italian contract engravers. It may be Paul Piquette's work. Just wondering if anyone here has an example with the same engraving pattern with a letter or other provenance as to the engraver. Or a guess as to who likely engraved it.

 

[AC Man]

I can't answer your question but that looks amazing,. I have a model 57 no dash 41 mag box papers tools marked factory engraved but still have no clue who engraved it. Maybe a letter?

 

[22hipower]

I can't answer your question but that looks amazing,. I have a model 57 no dash 41 mag box papers tools marked factory engraved but still have no clue who engraved it. Maybe a letter?

Letter's occasionally identify the engraver, but rarely. I have two letters that do, none of the rest though. Sometimes owners have communicated with engravers that might have done the work and occasionally the engraver will confirm it and provide an "engravers letter of authenticity." I have a few of those too. Sometimes the engraver signs his/her work and that helps a lot of course but S&W discouraged that and few factory engraved guns are signed. Which is what I'm hoping will happen by posting the pictures; someone will recognize the style and have some form of provenance for one they own/owned confirming the engraver. Long shot maybe but I wanted to post the pictures after getting the letter anyway.

 

[KSK]

Jeff, I believe your 29-2 is an Italian contract engraved example. I too have seen this engraving pattern on several S&W's from the same time period. That is my best guess. You may want to email Mr. Piquette and ask his opinion. It is a very nice looking 29-2.
-Karl

 

[shawn mccarver]

Does not look like any other Paul Piquette S&W I have ever seen. But, there are several members here who will weigh in on it and I would trust them more than me!

 

[Doc44]

I believe your 29-2 an Italian contract-engraved revolver. I have seen several Model 629s shipped in 1982 with a similar pattern.

Bill

 

[22hipower]

Jeff, I believe your 29-2 is an Italian contract engraved example. I too have seen this engraving pattern on several S&W's from the same time period. That is my best guess. You may want to email Mr. Piquette and ask his opinion. It is a very nice looking 29-2.
-Karl

I thought, but can't remember why, that S&W had stopped using the Italian contract engravers by mid 1982 but perhaps I dreamed that up. The side plate does look comparable to examples I assume are Italian contract engraved but I thought the cylinder engraving was quite different from the usual Italian technique. There's another exactly like it, except in nickel, in the Kennelly book, which I don't have with me. At the time it was owned by Rad29 but he didn't have any information on the engraver either other than that it was factory.

 

[22hipower]

I believe your 29-2 an Italian contract-engraved revolver. I have seen several Model 629s shipped in 1982 with a similar pattern.

Bill

Thanks Bill, do you know when S&W stopped using the Italian contractors?