Factory "Acid-Etched Engraved" 38 Dbl. Action Top-Break

[Masterpiece]

I thought I'd bring this "Unique" Revolver to all the Early S&W Top-Break Collectors attention!! I collected S&W Top-Break Revolvers for many,many years & have probably had 200-300 pass through my hands over the years,but I never seen or ever heard any mention in the S&W Community regarding a "Factory" Acid-Etched Engraved Revolver of any Model until now!! The Revolver I'm mentioning is posted on GB right now. I'm sure some of you "Must" have seen it by now & I would have expected to see some sort of post related to it,but have not,so I thought I'd bring it to everyone's attention. It is a Nickel-Plated 3rd Model 38 Dbl.Action Top-Break w/ Factory Documented "Acid-Etched Engraving"!! Roy's letter states it was shipped to Meachem Arms Co. St. Louis,Mo. November 20,1889. It's in "Very High" Condition,but not quite perfect. This Style of Engraving is very similar to what is seen on Sword Blades & I'm wondering if this work could possibly be attributed to Harry Jarvis who started working for S&W somewhere near this time period. I've never heard any mention as to his age when he started at S&W,but working for Ames Sword Co. would certainly have given him the knowledge to do something like this. I know in the past Bill Cross (Doc 44) has mentioned Harry was working for S&W at the very beginning of the 20th century & since Jarvis was known to work for the Ames Sword Co. previous to being employed by S&W that possibly he had something to do with this work being done. Now this is just speculation on my part,but since his early work history is somewhat unknown I'd thought I'd make mention of it. It might be worth stopping by to take a quick peek because it is quite a unique piece. Hopefully this will spark some feedback because I'm anxious to see if anyone else may have any knowledge relating to an Early Factory S&W Revolvers with this style of engraving.

 

[opoefc]

Harry Jarvis started at S&W in 1905 and worked there 53 yrs. until 1958. My guess would be that in 1889 Jarvis was not doing etchings at S&W, unless he was avoiding the child labor laws and working under an assumed name! Ed.

 

[Oyeboteb]

I am having trouble seeing the images.


Also, not finding it on the GB...

Link?

 

[Masterpiece]

Thanks Ed,
It was just a shot in the dark that it may be attributed to him. He looks to be pretty old in all the photos I've ever seen of him when working at S&W. I forget exactly where I read it,but he did work for the Ames Sword Co. early on so he must have been pretty young when he worked there. I would have to think it would be a fine addition to any Early Top-Break Collection as I've never heard of this type of Acid Etching that Roy has "Lettered" as Original Factory applied. Hope someone from here is able to acquire it. It's very unique!!

 

[wordsmith]

The pattern is either Gustave Young or his son, Oscar. The photos aren't clear enough for me to say which with certainty.


David

 

[Masterpiece]

Hi Dave,
I thought of the Young's also,but I've never seen or heard of any examples of this style of work from them. In any case,it's definitely something that I'm sure there were very few produced. You're right about the photos,but from experience it's really difficult to get good photos without the glare you get when photographing Nickeled Firearms. Especially when trying to capture the effect of this etching which isn't very deep into the surface!!

 

[twaits]

Wow that gun is really beautiful. Also notice there is a star before the serial number. Doesn't that mean it went back to the factory for repair or refinish at some point?
For anyone wanting to see it just go to Gunbroker and type "acid etched" in the search engine. It's the only listing that comes up.
I'm going to watch this one.

Just noticed he's also got a nice early top break .38 with the straight cut sideplate. It's at $250 with no reserve.

 

[Masterpiece]

Twaits,
I saw the star as well & it is a different design than any I've seen in the past!! It is not the Normal Refinish or Repair Star that is generally seen & also is encircled which is another oddity. Hopefully we'll hear from some more of the members shortly regarding this.

 

[opoefc]

That star stamp is not the S&W mark of a reworked/refinshed gun. Having once done a bit of gun etching myself, I can tell you the work was not done by an amateur. David compares it to the style of one of the Young's and that is quite possible. If the etcher used a gun engraved by them as a pattern source, it would have been a quick & easy way to recreate the Young style by etching and not engraving. At the time this was done ( circa 1888 ) there were probably more journeyman etchers working than engravers, as etched glassware, etc. was very popular. Ed.

 

[wordsmith]

This gun doesn't look refinished to me, and.... I'll bet if Roy saw it, he'd say it was done by one of the Young's.

DC

 

[frankynohankypanky]

Hi Masterpiece,

PM sent,

Best Wishes, Frank.

 

[Masterpiece]

Everyone Concerned,
If you take a minute to check this out there is a photo of Roy's Letter stating this Revolver left the Factory as "Nickel-Plated" & "Acid-Etched"!! I am wondering if the Odd-Ball Star Stamping on the Butt is some sort of mark of the "Etcher" because I see no evidence that this Revolver has been refinished whatsoever. I've seen Sand-Blast "Etched" Engraved S&W Revolvers in this same time period,but I've never seen one with this Acid-Etched Engraving. It would have to have been done by someone that was very skilled in this type of art form because being Nickel-Plated over it after the Etching. I would also think this had to be done "In-House" or Roy wouldn't have stated that it left the factory in it's present form. He's generally not that forgiving when it comes to lettering something like this. I also looked at quite a few of the Young Family Engraved Revolvers of the period & if it related in any way to them I would say the pattern on the Cylinder & Top Strap of the Barrel "Very" closely resembles Oscar Young's work. I have never seen any of Gustave's work with this style or pattern.

 

[Local Hand]

Thank you, gentlemen, for your interest. I apologize for the quality of the photos but nickel is very tricky to work with as you know. I will try to post a few better shots to the listing later. I'm also pleased to have attracted the attention af such knowledgeable collectors. If there is anything else you would like to know please feel free to ask.

Regards,


Doug

 

[twaits]

Thank you, gentlemen, for your interest. I apologize for the quality of the photos but nickel is very tricky to work with as you know. I will try to post a few better shots to the listing later. I'm also pleased to have attracted the attention af such knowledgeable collectors. If there is anything else you would like to know please feel free to ask.

Regards,


Doug

Doug,

How did you happen into such an interesting piece? (If you don't mind me asking)

 

[Local Hand]

I found this on Gunbroker back in '06. It was described as sword etched and the photos were not very good so I took a chance on it. I didn't really know what I had until Roy's letter came and then I tried to do a little research on it. Could only find one mention of an acid etched S&W and no pictures in the literature so I have been enjoying it for 5 years and now am getting out of most of the antique smiths and letting some one else have a turn.

 

[TACC1]

I must be going blind...

I cannot find the listing, after going thru revolvers and Relics.
If anyone would give me a clue to this G-B listing, I'd really appreciate it.
TACC1

 

[TACC1]

There It IS!!

Thans masterpiece, for bring this out. That is a really fine
firearm, and the engraving brings its own high class to it.
At the price it's at right now, someone will get their Christmas a little early.
TACC1
My thanks to the member who stopped to help the blind guy.

 

[TACC1]

I see the seller has a couple of nice .38 DA's for auction, too.
Double my thanks for sharing. TACC1

 

[Masterpiece]

I see he has posted some "Much" clearer photos without the glare you get when trying to photograph Nickeled Firearms!! The "Etching" stands right out there now. Good Job!!

 

[twaits]

It's up to almost $575 with 4 days left. This one is going to go pretty high. It would be a jewel to have in anyones S&W collection.