Engraved Highway Patrolman

[RKmesa]

In May 2013, this Highway Patrolman sold in auction [Edited to note that additional photos were added in post 17 below] :

Photo source: *Smith & Wesson Custom Engraved Model 28 Double Action Revolver with Texas Ranger Provenance | Cowan's Auction House: The Midwest's Most Trusted Auction House / Antiques / Fine Art / Art Appraisals

Does anyone here on the forum own this gun? And if so, I would love to see some more photos... heck, who am I fooling - I'd love to add that one to my collection...

 

[22hipower]

You're not the only one who might like to find that one. The ad says satin nickel but it looks a little like french gray to me. Either way, looks great!

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[rubiranch]

... heck, who am I fooling - I'd love to add that one to my collection...

I'm surprised that you didn't.

 

[LPD256]

I'm waiting for someone to say "If you find it will you shoot it?"

 

[RKmesa]

I'm surprised that you didn't.

Kenny:

If I'd have seen it in 2013, I would currently be posting a whole series of photos so that the rest of us could enjoy all of the talented art work. Since it is an HP and does not have a checkered rib or top strap, and given the full coverage on the right side, I would expect that the top strap and rib have also been fully engraved.

So, in addition to photos of the left side, I would also very much enjoy some photos of the top, the trigger guard, the yoke face and the knuckle. I also would love to search the whole gun with a magnifier looking for any indication of who the talented artist was that engraved the gun.

Another feature of the engraving - it looks like the background has been cut away (deep relief) and blackened leaving a very prominent and distinct scroll. It kind of reminds me of this 22 Combat Masterpiece:

 

[CH4]

Silly me, I just assumed it was already part of your collection

 

[Llance]

I am not a fan of engraved firearms except for the roll stamping done on standard units. And I don't really like it there either.

That being said, that is one beautifull firearm. In fact I might be willing to sell the farm to own that one. (likely I'd have too) I can't explain why this revovler appeals to me but it does.

 

[RKmesa]

You're not the only one who might like to find that one. The ad says satin nickel but it looks a little like french gray to me. Either way, looks great!

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I agree - it looks like French gray to me as well. And I also agree that it would be a nice "modern" addition to your collection of pre-war French grayed engraved revolvers. in addition, it is a Texas Ranger gun and in spite of my interest for it to come to AZ, it probably would feel more comfortable living in Texas!

 

[xray97]

Don't own that one but I have this one.

 

[2152hq]

I'd hazzard a guess that the grips that are on it were not the grips that were on it when the engraver was given the gun to engrave it.

The engraving pattern disappears underneath the ear of the grip. Something you just don't do when you are given the gun and the grips that are to be displayed/placed on it when the project is done.

The grip edge determins a border or edge of the visible metal that the engraving meets.

This engraving layout goes underneath the grip panel. Either there were other grips on the gun when the engraving was layed out, or no grip(s) were furnished with the gun.

Sometimes, and very infrequently, the customer sometimes desires that the pattern combines lines and scrolls within the pattern that allows two different styles of grips to be placed over the same engraving layout w/o any interruption in the smooth flow of the pattern when viewed with either set in place.
This is very difficult to do and have it look right.
Making the two different grip 'borders' run smoothly together in the same pattern is difficult to say the least.

Alvin White did this occasionaly on some projects. The end results were better on some than others.

The top strap and the bbl rib look like they are engraved with simple repetitive leaf pattern. A standard engraving leaf design where the leaves all fall in the same direction and are shaped the same & spaced evenly.
Repetitive shading accents the long row of leaves and makes for a nice border effect.
Very common in German/Austrian style engraving and also so called American scroll.
But the latter usually isn't as detailed nor done with as many different cuts to each figure. So it doesn't take on as much of a stylish look as that of the European style cutting.

Great looking piece of work.

 

[Doc44]

Another engraved Highway Patrolman has serial number N1 (unless the one posted above is it). I saw it in Tulsa many years ago. It has a similar finish.

Bill

 

[zwartepiet]

I also would love to search the whole gun with a magnifier looking for any indication of who the talented artist was that engraved the gun.

Another feature of the engraving - it looks like the background has been cut away (deep relief) and blackened leaving a very prominent and distinct scroll. It kind of reminds me of this 22 Combat Masterpiece:

That is a very good looking M28!

Richard, do you know who the engraver of your 22 CM was?

Thanks, Mark

 

[RKmesa]

Richard, do you know who the engraver of your 22 CM was?

Mark: I wish I did know... but I have been unable to find any engraver "signature marks" on the gun, despite my going over it again and again with a magnifying glass. That is too bad, because I really like the engraving. I think that the general consensus is that it is done in a European style, but no one has a definitive take on who the specific engraver was that did the work.

 

[zwartepiet]

Interesting…..definitely work to be proud of!

 

[jdlii]

"French Gray." I never knew what that style was called but, remember walking into a "new" gun shop when I was in under grad school and seeing about a dozen S&W revolvers with that type of engraving.

They were out of my budget at that time and certainly would be now. Were these engraved by S&W or by contract engravers for S&W?

 

[Doc44]

I have never seen a factory engraved revolver (by an in house or contract engraver) finished in French Gray.

Bill

 

[RKmesa]

I did not find the gun...BUT I did find a few more photos of it out there on Guns International (linked below):

source: "Smith & Wesson Custom Engraved 28-2 .357 Magnum (PR35767)

It really is a beautiful piece!!!

 

[Gary Hogstrom]

I am purity sure that is not in my safe. Ha, ha, ha, if I had that I would need a whole new safe.

 

[Llance]

I don't want to brag so I won't, but just so you'all know it aint hiding out in the dungeon either.

 

[RKmesa]

I don't want to brag so I won't, but just so you'all know it ain't hiding out in the dungeon either.

I am assuming that that means that you're the lucky one that owns that beauty. If so, congrats that is certainly brag-worthy. I'm glad that it is owned by a fellow forum member.