Ivory, Gold, Engraving, 357, WOW!

[RKmesa]

Many of you followed a thread that I started, where I chronicled Phil Quigley's engraving of one of my pre-27s (In Process... A Pre-27 357 Engraved Masterpiece in the Making [UPDATED 12/22]). A few weeks ago, I received the final product and I could not be happier. Here are a few detailed photos from a recent shoot (photo shoot that is...):

Thanks for letting me share,

 

[Iggy]

That's purtier than a black Appy colt with a full blanket and dollar spots.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[29aholic]

That's about as nice as they come. Hopefully in my next life I'll be able to afford to have him engrave a gun for me.

Just to razz on you a bit Richard, but the grips could fit better in the horn area

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Now that's what I call a great barbecue gun!!!!! WOW!!!

 

[Bullseye 2620]

I'll take it. PM to follow.

 

[les.b]

Richard, as one of the many who have been following this project from your earliest posts, thanks for sharing a wonderful up creation with all of us. It has been a real education to watch the videos and study the detailed photos as this project took form.

Awesome!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[jsfricks]

That....is a beauty Richard!

 

[usm1rifle]

That is truly the work of a master. Congrats on the successful project!

 

[steelslaver]

AMAZING, can't say anything that covers it.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

A masterpiece of a masterpiece it just doesn't get any better well if it were mine it would be better but well you get the gist .

 

[tlay]

I would ask for my money back!! He scratched it all up!1 Nice!!!

 

[keith44spl]

That is Outstanding !


.

 

[DWFAN]

I'm impressed with the built in turn line on the cylinder.. Beveled and serrated it's cut into the cylinder in the direction of rotation. I don't believe I've seen that kind of cut before. Won't have to worry about rotation leaving a mark. Fancy and functional. Nice.

DW

 

[KSK]

Richard, your gun turned out looking incredible! Congratulations.

 

[Model39]

Pre-Model 27 5 Screw Done In 1990

I have a similar engraved revolver I had done in 1990. (BEEN SHOWN MANY TIMES BEFROE).

 

[RKmesa]

I have a similar engraved revolver I had done in 1990. (BEEN SHOWN MANY TIMES BEFORE).

...and I love it every time you post it!

 

[cadmike]

That's a beautiful piece of artwork. Worthy of being proudly displayed in your home, like an expensive painting.

I notice that even the thumb piece has engraving on it. Thank you for letting us have a look.

 

[oneounceload]

Very nice! How long does it take to have someone do that much detail work?

 

[Kurusu]

To the OP

It is easy to go overboard with a fancy gun.

But yours, sir, is a monument to good taste.

 

[P.Quig]

I am so very pleased that so many folks like this completed project. I tried to do things a little different with this one , both by cutting all the background back and the little track line in the bolt path to hopefully avoid any future bolt marks. It is a pleasure to work with clients like RKMESA to create unique beautiful guns. These do take time and often clients don't like waiting and I understand that. RK and I have anther one in process that if I can get the damn thing blued correctly will show well ( iv'e blued it twice and it's not right. One more polish and reblue should do it. Again thank you to all who have enjoyed this one.

 

[RKmesa]

...I notice that even the thumb piece has engraving on it.

When the gun was completed and blued, the thumb piece looked a little plain compared to the rest of the gun, so I asked Phil what he thought about engraving it. He took it back and the next day I received this photo:

A week or so later the blued piece came back to me.

You'll note, if you look closely, that one of the photos in my 1st post shows the thumb piece before it was engraved. I liked that photo and forgot to re shoot it after I reinstalled the thumb piece...

Just one of many small touches that add a lot to the completed project.

 

[1Aspenhill]

Great gun and would be the centerpiece of any collection-since it is Christmas feel free to put it under my tree!��

 

[montezumaz]

Richard, you couldn't have received a nicer Christmas present!

 

[Troystat]

Wow, that turned out wonderfully, I am glad you where able to commission such a wonderful piece of art. Truly one of the nicest engraved S&W that I have ever seen. The engraving that would hide any turn lines is really a wonderful touch.

 

[Nightowl]

Absolutely beautiful! Kinda takes it outa the shooter category, doesn't it?

 

[RKmesa]

...How long does it take to have someone do that much detail work?

I'm not sure exactly how many hours it takes to do the actual engraving (I'm sure that P.Quig could give you an estimate), but if you're pursuing a project like this with a talented artist, plan on at least 6 months and probably closer to a year for the work to get done. The anticipation is an integral part of the process and if the artist sends you progress photos, it is also part of the fun. In the process of engraving several guns, I have come to know Phil as a friend as well as a talented artist.

Thanks Phil for sharing your talent and everyone else for your comments and likes.

 

[RKmesa]

I still am torn on the grips. I love the ivory magnas and think that they are beautiful, but they hide some of the great engraving...

Here are comparative photos with and without the grips (before the thumb piece was engraved).

What do you think, do I need to get some "service" size grips so that I can show off all the engraving, or do the ivory magnas do the job even though they cover some of the engraving?

 

[paplinker]

What a finely done gun. I too really like the work done on the cylinder and around the turnline area.

During the long process of engraving and sharing his work with you were there or can there be any significant changes done?

Reason i ask is i am curious when people get custom work done is most of it an artists own expression or the general direction a customer asks for. Hope i worded this right.

 

[RKmesa]

...During the long process of engraving and sharing his work with you were there or can there be any significant changes done?...

... That depends on what "significant" means. Once he has made the cuts, he cannot unmake them. On this gun we discussed the concept up front and I gave a general of what I wanted and then gave him creative license. After he finished the frame we consulted further on the placement of the gold on the cylinder and barrel and the amount of engraving coverage on the barrel.

The real answer to your question is that if you really want something, you need to come to that agreement up front.

Some engravers will sketch out on paper a really detailed engraving prior to engraving it. It is also really helpful to the engraver if you have some photos of examples of what you are looking for and your idea of what you want. Phil and I have often worked with a lot of photos prior to starting an engraving project. It is a lot of fun.

 

[OldSarge21]

Beautiful gun. Howzit shoot? Just kidding. I hope you display it under glass to keep drool off it.