Gold leaf inlaid Russians

[JimSupica]

Over the years, I've seen a number of Russians inlaid like the one I recently across:

This particular gun is rough, with some deep pitting where the gold leaf is gone. The decoration covers the usual location for the butt s/n. The number 1700 appears on the barrel, cylinder & latch. This is a rimfire model with the large triangular firing pin.

Questions I'd appreciate help with:

* I have the recollection that the others I've seen like this usually have Turkish attribution. Is that the case? Do they also show up in Russian contract guns?

* One grip panel has an ornate silver wire grip cover nailed over the original wood grip, and the other panel has the holes where such a cover was nailed on. Is this seen on the other gold decorated Russians? It almost looks more Mexican to me.

* Is "gold leaf inlay" a good term for this type of decoration?

* Anyone know more of the story behind these?

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

 

[JimSupica]

Over the years, I've seen a number of Russians inlaid like the one I recently across:

This particular gun is rough, with some deep pitting where the gold leaf is gone. The decoration covers the usual location for the butt s/n. The number 1700 appears on the barrel, cylinder & latch. This is a rimfire model with the large triangular firing pin.

Questions I'd appreciate help with:

* I have the recollection that the others I've seen like this usually have Turkish attribution. Is that the case? Do they also show up in Russian contract guns?

* One grip panel has an ornate silver wire grip cover nailed over the original wood grip, and the other panel has the holes where such a cover was nailed on. Is this seen on the other gold decorated Russians? It almost looks more Mexican to me.

* Is "gold leaf inlay" a good term for this type of decoration?

* Anyone know more of the story behind these?

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

 

[2152hq]

The gold inlay work is more commonly known as 'gold damascening' and is accomplished with extremely thin gold foil and wire. The wire would be better termed thread due to it's extreme small diameter. The gold is not inlayed into the steel but overlayed onto it. The surface of the steel is scored, usually in at least 3 different directions to throw up a series of burrs that become teeth by the criss cross pattern of the scoring. Once the areas to be overlayed are scored properly, the pattern is lightly drawn on that surface to follow, usually with a scriber. The gold is hammered (gently!) onto the scored surface following the pattern and is held there by those steel teeth. There may be some larger more common dovetailed inlays within some damascene work, but it is not common to see on most jobs. Once all the overlay is complete the gold is detailed by burnishing to smooth it and the surrounding scored steel. Details are added to the gold usually with punches, not with gravers, as the gold is so very thin. Once everything is complete, the gun is blued leaving the overlay a brilliant gold against the blued steel of the areas not covered. Other karets of gold and sometimes silver were also used but not as often as 24k yellow gold because they are not nearly as soft and much more difficult to use. Probably more info than you need..

 

[JimSupica]

Very helpful 2152, thanks! - Jim

 

[Pistol Toter]

Where did you find that, Jim? That is certianly an interesting artifact. Tell us more. P.T.

 

[JimSupica]

PT, it's in a very nice collection that I'm in the process of cataloging for the next Dispatch. The metal is in horrid shape except where covered with gold, but it must have been a beauty in it's day, with the gold against the bright blue background. I've seen some w/ the blue remaining, and they are quite striking.

Other folks (thanks EC & RJ) report that the work it's a style of decoration popular in the Balkans & Russia & Spain, and that some Russian examples have much better workmanship than this one.

 

[A10ACN]

Damascening was common on British double guns and rifles ordered or presented to the Maharajas in India also. These are regualarly seen with the gold worn off in numerous places. I've never read if they were decorated by the Brits or once they reached India. I've always been under the impression that they were decorated in India as most of the guns are marked with a retailer's name.