Help with Engraver's identity

[Daugier]

I've got a K-38 Combat Masterpiece manufactured in 1950, and probably engraved shortly thereafter. The engraving is quite good, and the only hint I can find that might lead to the engraver's identity is an inlaid gold star (at least I think it's a star) just under the hammer. Does anyone have any information of who the engraver might have been? Thanks very much!

 

[handejector]

NO clue, but I'm bettin he trained in Germany.

 

[Kansasgunner]

Handsome revolver!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Daugier]

I can see why Mr. Jarrett thinks it might have a German background...I also have a M&P 1905 beautifully engraved and signed by Kurt Jager, and has a similar feeling.

 

[opoefc]

Definately not S&W factory work, probably German from the style. The star inlay probably has some significance as a clue to the engraver.

 

[2152hq]

Nice looking engraving job.
I don't think the gold work is a 'star'.
I thought it was a Lynx, Bobcat (or similar) head silhouette,,3/4 view looking to the rt.

Unless it's just the lighting in the pic, it could be that the mark was added after the steel engraving and bluing were originally done.

A sport trophy type of mark perhaps not unlike many put on rifles.
Popular in Europe on hunting rifles, small 'pins' with the gamehead likeness inserted into the stock.

Maybe there was some detail at one time on it. But if 24k, that'd wear away with little handling especially right there with the your thumb dragging over it when cocking the hammer.

The steel enraving is very nice. A combination of scroll, Belgian style leaf w/it's scroll type folds and curled finials and then plain foliage leaf like a Grape Leaf.
The SidePlate engraving pattern has only one starting point for the entire right side of the frame. That at the upper left corner of the frame.
From there the pattern splays out and grows in all directions, intertwining and overlapping it's way to the front of the frame.

Any factory roll die marked side plate medallion (if there was one) and markings at the extreme front of the frame were removed to provide for more uninterupted engraving space.
Stuff like that is just in the way!

 

[bigmoose]

An absolutely stunning revolver. Interesting how the "38 S &W Special" rollmark isn't bordered, the scroll just runs right through like it's not there. Very cool. Thanks for posting those photos.

 

[22hipower]

I think we saw that one sell in the last few days on GB did we not? If it is the one I think it is, pretty sure it is, RKmesa looked it over and may have some ideas as to who did the work or at least where it was done. That was a pretty good buy I think. Enjoy it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[RKmesa]

I've got a K-38 Combat Masterpiece manufactured in 1950, and probably engraved shortly thereafter. The engraving is quite good, and the only hint I can find that might lead to the engraver's identity is an inlaid gold star (at least I think it's a star) just under the hammer. Does anyone have any information of who the engraver might have been? Thanks very much!

Beautiful Combat Masterpiece. I would agree with Lee and others that there is a German feel to the engraving. I am not sure what the gold mark on the knuckle represents and I have no thoughts on the individual engraver. We'd love to see some more photos along with some photos of your gun that was engraved in Kurt Jaeger's shop (many of which were engraved by the Willigs - some of my favorite engravers).

 

[H Richard]

Just a gut feeling, it may have been done in Germany for a 1 star General stationed there and brought back. Just a subtle indication of rank.

Nice looking revolver, wish it had been mine.

 

[bdGreen]

The 'star' looks like a wolf's head to me.

A high res macro image could be more telling.

bdGreen

 

[rct269]

A wolf, huh? I saw a cat's head/face----a Bobcat's to be exact. Then again, I'm partial to cats.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Daugier]

Additional Pictures

Here are some additional pictures. I'll add a few of my Kurt Jager engraved M&P 1905 in a separate post.

 

[Daugier]

Kurt Jager Engraving

Here are a few pictures of my M&P 1905 engraved by Kurt Jager for comparison. Thanks!