Ivory, Gold, Engraving, 357, WOW!

[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.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Richard,
A gun carved that nicely deserves some special grips that expose the whole carving. I've seen some uniquely colored giraffe bone grips that I believe would set off the beauty in that engraving. They are aged to an orange tea color and luster polished with no checking. Round top service grips in that color would look spectacular on that gun, IMO.

 

[M29since14]

It's a blonde vs. brunette question. I'd guess I'd stay with the magnas since guns of that era did not have service stocks, but whatever you end up with, it's a beautiful piece of work. I'd love to have a Combat Magnum done up like that some day. Very nice! Thanks for showing us.

 

[rct269]

A bit of pro and con in the last two posts----------------

On the one hand the engraving deserves to be seen. I can't argue with that. Seems likely the artist wouldn't either.

On the other hand we have the question of originality of the era. I reckon I could argue with that---if I could find the words.

Then we should perhaps consider the shooter's point of view: You're going to get your knuckles rapped shooting that thing with Magna's----and you're going to get them rapped worse with service grips----might even drop it. The answer therefore is to put some fancy target grips on it---and cover up more of the artist's work. I wonder how that turkey would fly?!!

It seems likely there are no paintings of merit which are partially covered by the picture frame---none where the framer lived at any rate.(!!)

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Joe Kent]

A fantastic work of art! For my thoughts on stocks, I like those that are on it. I also would not object to having them carved as well. It however needs to please the owner and the owner only. As I said in the beginning, Fantastic work of Art! All my very best, Joe.

 

[iskra]

Passé nowadays to quote such as John Keats. But viewing the spectacular art objects here... immortal words so well put! "A thing of beauty is a joy forever…"
Definitely…
My take

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Handsome, handsome, handsome!

Knocked another one out of the park, Richard and Phil.

Service stocks.

 

[Kurusu]

@ P. Quig.

Respect!

Kurusu doffs his hat and takes a humble bow.

 

[BillyMagg]

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?

and I thought those were high dollar "AJAX", LOL, don't you dare leave those ivory Magna's off that chick! unless you have a set of "mother of pearls", you know girls love their pearls!

 

[lestert357]

Richard, my vote is for checkered ivory service grips with medallions with Tyler T grip adapter and get Quig to engrave and blue the adapter too.

 

[DevilDog72]

That, Sir, is an amazing piece of art....... well.... how soon can we get a range report......hmmmmmm. (sk)