Engraved, Silver Plated 44 DA

[Oldmanwesson]

I just got this 44 DA First Model in 44 Russian. It is silver plated and engraved in a style which I would not call the "New York School". The scrolls are more like vines, and lack the roundness of typical Nimschke work, imo. The engraving is done against a background of fine hash marks, not punch-dot. The factory letter states that it was shipped in 1883 to MW Robinson. It was apparently marked for "export", but there is no other information in respect of configuration or finish. It does not bear any foreign proofs, which was sometimes required for imported guns in some countries. The silver is about 50%, some tarnishing, and some bare spots. A fine specimen, but more information would be awesome. Has anyone ever been able to get shipping / sales information from Robinson? Any input is appreciated.

 

[deadin]

As far as is known the M.W.Robinson records have never surfaced.

 

[2152hq]

The background to the engraving is actually punch work. It's not the usual
hollow punch dot background often seen. In this case the engraver used a very sharp pointed punch or one with a very slightly blunted point.

Sometimes the very point is blunted slightly to cover a wider area with each tap. It will also present a different look to the coverage as well.

The very slightly larger 'point' makes the tedious work of background with a single point tool go a little faster,,but not much!

Other ways are to tecture pattern the point of the punch are to tap the blunted point onto grit paper, or a fine cut file.
The puts that tecture on the point of the punch and though that small, it can make a big different in the look of the work.

That tecture work to the punch is done before the punch is heat treated and drawn back of course.
Hardly anybody makes their own punches of any sort for engraving anymore. Amazon can supply a lot.
But they are missing out on part of the trade I feel by not doing things like that.

So much for the wandering posting...

 

[Oldmanwesson]

The background to the engraving is actually punch work. It's not the usual
hollow punch dot background often seen. In this case the engraver used a very sharp pointed punch or one with a very slightly blunted point.

Sometimes the very point is blunted slightly to cover a wider area with each tap. It will also present a different look to the coverage as well.

The very slightly larger 'point' makes the tedious work of background with a single point tool go a little faster,,but not much!

Other ways are to tecture pattern the point of the punch are to tap the blunted point onto grit paper, or a fine cut file.
The puts that tecture on the point of the punch and though that small, it can make a big different in the look of the work.

That tecture work to the punch is done before the punch is heat treated and drawn back of course.
Hardly anybody makes their own punches of any sort for engraving anymore. Amazon can supply a lot.
But they are missing out on part of the trade I feel by not doing things like that.

So much for the wandering posting...

Wow. Thanks for the lesson. Very interesting. I watched an engraver work on a piece once. Incredible skill.