Looking for engraver recommendations

[teletech]

I know the almost floral scrollwork is by far the dominant style but I'm actually thinking something more arts&crafts style for an early 1900s Hand Ejector.
I know many engravers will work in many styles but I'd love to find somebody actually excited about it.
Fear not, the HE under consideration is NOT in a condition where I'm devaluing a rare or collectable artifact.

 

[Onomea]

I think you should buy some books on firearms engraving, and check out engraver forums, and explore the topic thoroughly before making a decision.

Some guys do it by hand, other guys use engraving machines. Maybe you care or maybe you don't, but it's worth understanding the difference.

There's a lot going on with engraving.

I had a 38/44 Bowen conversion engraved, but studied up a lot before making my decision. I found the research entertaining. Wound up selling the gun after a few years to a guy who wanted it more than I did — at the time! — but the entire process was a lot of fun.

This is the gun, engraved by Dan Love, as shown on Bowen's website:

 

[delcrossv]

PM RKmesa (Richard). He has a lot of guns engraved and knows a lot of engravers.

 

[johngross]

I'm actually thinking something more arts&crafts style for an early 1900s Hand Ejector.

I wish I could help, but can you share an example of "arts&crafts style" engraving on a gun? Because I'm envisioning...

 

[Toyman]

John K Pease did this gun for me . He is on Facebook.

 

[JJEH]

Browse around here; Firearm Engravers Guild Home Page

Or go straight to Kevin Johnson, Leonard Francolini LLC, Firearms Engraving or Jim White Engraving

Hope this helps.

 

[rbrbrb6]

Here is another engraved gun on Hamilton's website. I had him send it to Brian Powley for the engraving before he did the final finish work.

 

[teletech]

I wish I could help, but can you share an example of "arts&crafts style" engraving on a gun? Because I'm envisioning...

Think Frank Lloyd Wright.

 

[teletech]

I think you should buy some books on firearms engraving, and check out engraver forums, and explore the topic thoroughly before making a decision.

Some guys do it by hand, other guys use engraving machines. Maybe you care or maybe you don't, but it's worth understanding the difference.

There's a lot going on with engraving.

I had a 38/44 Bowen conversion engraved, but studied up a lot before making my decision. I found the research entertaining. Wound up selling the gun after a few years to a guy who wanted it more than I did — at the time! — but the entire process was a lot of fun.

This is the gun, engraved by Dan Love, as shown on Bowen's website:

I know there's a lot to unpack in my request, I didn't know I'd get so much feedback and so quickly. I actually have an old Gorton pantograph engraver and have done some of my own work with that, and while it has it's uses I suspect a chunk of what I have in mind would be better done by hand.
I sort of had hoped to leave it more or less up to the mind and hand of the artist, but I'm sure you are right and I'll wind up going down the rabbit hole of research.

Lovely work Dan did for you there.

 

[Onomea]

I'm intrigued by your "think Frank Lloyd Wright" comment... Was looking to see if I could find any Wright-inspired engraving examples, but a quick peruse of Google Images did not turn up any. Maybe look for Wright designs that appeal to you, and then show them to several engravers who you think might suit. Discussions with them might lead to where you want to go..

If executed, it would be an unusual choice, I think. Unique.

 

[Justin T]

In 1929/1930, the master engraver for FN, Felix Funken, engraved a set of auto 5 shotguns for the Liege World's Fair in Belgium.

The guns were engraved in a very atypical style that was associated with the Arts and Crafts movement in vogue at the time. Here's a link with a few pictures of one of the shotguns (displayed in the white, as originally done). 1929 16g A5 - Heavily Engraved by Felix Funken | Browning Owners

And some more pictures posted by the then owner at the time: Browning Fan | Flickr

The end result is something that is a departure from the norm. It's not for everybody, but Funken's work is outstanding as always. It features dragonflies, water plants, swans, lily pads, and other details. He did these for art's sake-not to make another catalog entry.

Arts and Crafts isn't only about straight/angular lines or "mission style" furniture, although that does form a small part of it. It's about how the things we design and create blend in harmony with and compliment nature.

FLW's house designs usually are set in areas that create harmony with the homes themselves. The structures are usually surrounded by lush natural decor and water features. Greene and Greene-designed homes are very much the same.

Much of the arts and crafts furniture and decor made during the period has nature/wildlife themes and added in this spirit. The guy that invented the Morris chair-he sold a line of wall coverings that featured water lilies, or rose trellises, and other things that would have gone well with any piece of stickley furniture you can dream up. Same with the stained glass of the period.

Anyway, the Funken shotgun is what i wanted to put out there using a possible "arts and crafts" theme.

And for those who think Funken was a hack, here's some of his more conventional stuff: Nouvelle page 0

 

[teletech]

I'm intrigued by your "think Frank Lloyd Wright" comment... Was looking to see if I could find any Wright-inspired engraving examples, but a quick peruse of Google Images did not turn up any. Maybe look for Wright designs that appeal to you, and then show them to several engravers who you think might suit. Discussions with them might lead to where you want to go..

If executed, it would be an unusual choice, I think. Unique.

He did design work for not only the house but the furniture, textiles and even silverware in his buildings. Here's a writeup of his work for the Imperial Hotel:
Frank Lloyd Wright

 

[teletech]

Arts and Crafts isn't only about straight/angular lines or "mission style" furniture, although that does form a small part of it. It's about how the things we design and create blend in harmony with and compliment nature.

FLW's house designs usually are set in areas that create harmony with the homes themselves. The structures are usually surrounded by lush natural decor and water features. Greene and Greene-designed homes are very much the same.

Much of the arts and crafts furniture and decor made during the period has nature/wildlife themes and added in this spirit. The guy that invented the Morris chair-he sold a line of wall coverings that featured water lilies, or rose trellises, and other things that would have gone well with any piece of stickley furniture you can dream up. Same with the stained glass of the period.

Anyway, the Funken shotgun is what i wanted to put out there using a possible "arts and crafts" theme.

Indeed, Arts and Crafts does have a lot of nature scenes and elements incorporated. I was thinking more of the straight lines aspect of it in this case, partly since a vintage S&W has meaningful curves all of it's own and with any luck when I'm using said items I'm out in nature. Good call on the stained glass since it's the glass and textiles that most closely resemble what I had in mind. Looks like I need to survey the silverware produced by Tiffany (&co.) during the very early 1900s as well.

 

[Onomea]

He did design work for not only the house but the furniture, textiles and even silverware in his buildings. Here's a writeup of his work for the Imperial Hotel:
Frank Lloyd Wright

The Imperial Hotel was rebuilt in the late 1960s, but remains one of Tokyo's premier hotels. The bar from the original, Wright designed hotel, was faithfully moved/reproduced into the second floor/mezzanine of the current Imperial. Many is the after work hour I spent there. My office, for 15 years, was in the Imperial Hotel Tower.

Lotta memories.

 

[2152hq]

I don't understand what 'Arts & Crafts' style is, but you may want to look at the 'Fantasy Gun Engraving' style.
It's been popular on high dollar European shotguns and rifles for about the last 25yrs.
One shop in Italy, Creative Arts has kind of brought this style (if it is that) to the attention of many. A few of their many Engravers seem to specialize in some quite remarkable designs. Manrico Torcoli's name comes to mind quickly.

Though some of their work is standard wild life and historical scene taken to another level, others take the development and inclusion of all sorts of subject material into a scene. One scene may cover the entire side of a frame and lockplates at times.

Do a search for 'Fantasy Gun Engraving'
Manrico Torcoli engraver
Creative Arts Engraving

I'm sure you'll get lots of pictures and info.

Maybe it's not even what you're looking for, not even in the ball park.
But the work is beautifully done and worth the time viewing.

 

[Joe Kent]

Onomea, Your HD by Hamilton and Dan has cost me a lot of money! Still knocks it out of the park for me today! All my very best my Friend, Joe.