My Engraved 1955 Masterpiece

[SCCarmy]

I will take some pics with the grips removed tonight or tomorrow. As far as the cosmoline goes, I did not notice any on the grips, it is on the inside of the barrel and in the cylinder. I talked to my dad tonight and he is going to send me a bunch of my uncles documents for me to go through. There might be some information in them. He did find a reciept for a target 38 with a 6.5 oz trigger pull which I also have. It isn't engraved but is a really nice pice as well. I also have his Colt Gov 1911 which is also tricked out. If I have time I will try to post some pics of those as well (if yall wanna see them).

 

[RKmesa]

This is my first post here and the second time I have ever posted this piece. If anyone thinks they can pinpoint the engraver, I would love to know who you think it is.

My Thoughts:

1. Welcome to the forum.
2. Beautiful revolver!!!
3. In spite of the small left side roll mark, I would say that this gun is not factory engraved. However, with the small left side roll mark, I would not be a bit surprised if it was shipped in the white to the destination in anticipation that it would be engraved.
4. I don't think it is Alvin White. I have seen a bunch of his works (have collected photos of more than 50 specific works) and I own a couple of AA White engraved guns. I have never seen him "flatten" the side plate screw heads. The engraving pattern is not consistent with any of his work that I have observed, particularly in the cylinder flutes (he had a very distinct way of engraving the flutes). Although the animal gold inlays are very nice, AAW was a master of the inlays and the details in his animal inlays are and were a step above what you would see from almost anyone else. Examples:







5. I have seen several carved stocks like that, and I also do not believe those are AAW's, even though they are beautifully carved. Here are a couple of photos of what are believed to be AAW carved stocks:





6. On the flip side, the scroll work on your gun is outstanding and much nicer than what I typically see on an AAW gun. It is more consistent with what was done in Germany (perhaps Emil or Claus Willig - although the animal inlays are a bit course for either of them). Also, you almost never see full coverage on a cylinder with that fine a scroll (I love it).

7. I also see hints of a Japanese engraver named Ogawa.

Once again, beautiful revolver.

Thanks for sharing,

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

Great gun. Whoever did the work did an amazing job.

 

[StakeOut]

From the Smith and Wesson Website

 

[OldChief]

I have no idea who did the engraving but when I was stationed in Japan the first time (57-61) a lot of guys had their firearms engraved and inlayed there. At that time the work was really reasonable and the engravers did some beautiful work. I had the floor plate, trigger guard and scope rings done on a 03-A3 I had made into a sporting rifle. Wish I still had it, let it go sometime in the mid 60s. The only thing I remember now is that mine was done in Tachikawa.

 

[paragain]

No expert on engraving but the flattening of the screw heads is a very European thing. Perhaps you should look there for the master who made this beauty.
Just my opinion.

 

[Doc44]

I agree with RK. I would lean toward an engraver in Europe. The small logo "suggests" the revolver may have been prepared for engraving and possibly shipped in the white to the artist. Regardless, a factory letter on a revolver such as this a must in my opinion.

Bill

 

[SCCarmy]

Good morning everyone,

Exceptional posts last night!! I truly appreciate everyone's comments and the wealth of information that is coming through.

RKmesa, I have to really tip my hat to you for the pics and the well thought out comments. I completely understand why you are thinking the way you are and have had a couple other people in the other forum say that they think it may be an oriental engraver. I looked up Ogawa and one picture I found looked like my gun could have been a hat trick as it was so similar to the other two. I will check out the other engravers you mentioned in your post and compare their work. If only I had been a month sooner, I could have sent in for the letter and gotten more information. Ohhh well I guess it will remain somewhat of a mystery until I can get a factory letter.

I did not get a chance to take the photos last night with the grips off and have a Cub Scout Arrow of Light Ceremony to do tonight, so it might be Thursday night before I can get those pics taken and uploaded. I will also try and take some photos of his 38 target pistol and his tricked out 1911. I shot the 1911 last weekend and it is AWESOME!! I think if someone farted the gun would go off. I was popping a manikin head at 100 feet and hit it every time. I haven't shot the 38 yet; however with a 6.5 oz trigger pull, it has to be equally as amazing as the 1911.

I did have another conversation with my dad last night and he said that he does not remember my uncle ever going anywhere other than Germany; however that isn't the end of the story and I will have to really dig to track his travel history. Hopefully the documents I get from my dad will shed some light on his travels.

Chief,

If there is one thing I have learned, if it has to do with guns, KEEP it Unfortunately I am not the deciding agent on this revolver or the 38 target. I am doing all the work but my dad makes the final decision on what we are going to do. I think I might just try and buy him and my brothers out and keep it for myself. LOL the problem is I don't think I am going to have enough money for the buy out. We will see how it turns out. The 1911 is mine no matter what though

On a side note, I wanted to ask a question. Many people post their SN like this 123XXX; Is there a problem with posting a full SN?

Hope you all have a great day,

 

[H Richard]

You can still request a letter, but not until after June 1, when the Historical letters will be completed through the S&W Historical Foundation. Roy will still be doing then but with an assistant. New request forms with the new address will be prepared and loaded into our downloads, and ( I assume) the S&W factory website.

Many people XX out the last couple numbers of their S/N when they post as there is always the (hopefully remote) possibility some nefarious individual will copy it down and try and make a claim it was stolen from them, or some other ruse. I feel it is a very remote possibility, and personally never heard of it being done.

 

[SCCarmy]

It sucks having to wait an additional month. Thank you for the info on the SN and I thought the same thing; but wanted to get everyone else's take on it. That would be some ****! I would have to hunt them down!

 

[bigmoose]

The purple hue to the barrel and cylinder in certain lighting of your photos suggest to me that it was blued somewhere other than the factory.
Very cool revolver, nonetheless.

 

[Camster]

I was initially thinking Alvin White,but the critters(his are better executed,imo) and grips suggest that it wasn't him.I'll vote for aftermarket.
Sensational and a treasure,in any case.

 

[Jebus35745]

That is one beautiful gun. Who ever engraved it is very talented, Larry

 

[DGT]

I was admiring your revolver and then realized it is a 5 screw Model 1955 which is perhaps my favorite revolver. Now I am really jealous.

 

[SCCarmy]

Letter from S&W but still confused

Hello everyone,

I did get the letter back from S&W the other day and they said that it was one of 4 guns donated to Jessie Harpe in Tampa, FL by S&W 20 January 1958 to be awarded at the 1958 Mid-Winter National Championships. They said that it was not a factory engraving; however that should not detract at all from the value as it is truly a piece of art.

I am a little confused though. I was looking at another thread that shows that the guns donated by S&W in 1958 for this competition were engraved. Here is the thread and a picture from the thread.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...target-45-pictures-1958-trophy-gun-added.html



Love to hear your thoughts on this.

Thank you,

 

[Ron M.]

This gun is a museum piece, and should be shared by all! If you will send me your name and address, I will pay shipping and handling for this revolver to me. I will personally display it in my private museum and send you a picture of the plaque with your name on it....JUST KIDDING. Got the idea from a Nigerian banker asking to help cash a check...nice gun!

 

[29aholic]

That does explain the small left side logo, as the trophy guns were usually engraved like the one in 29-1's thread.

 

[handejector]

Wunderbar!
Beautiful gun.
I see lots of Germanic influence. I don't see any Japanese.
I suspect the Factory Trophy inscription was simply cut away by the engraver. The relief around the gold inlays appears to be rather deep.
Note also the lack of the 4 line address where the dog is located.

 

[Doc44]

Possibly engraved by Kurt Jaeger or Claus Willig. Both are German engravers and do excellent work. Send photos to the Firearms Engravers Guild of America and ask them for an opinion.

Bill

 

[2152hq]

Shiro Ogawa was European trained in engraving and his style refected it.
The woodland scene background style cut on the op's revolver is certainly of Germanic/Austrian style,,the scroll work also. It could point to someone like Ogawa,,who didn't sign all his pieces. His artwork was his signiture so he said. He would place a small mark or signiture in the engraving if requested and he felt he could comply.
Sugaya is another that cut in the Germanic style.

If the gun had been done in the Kurt Jeager shop in Germany, it would have been proudly marked as such,,no matter who did the work for them. Only a couple of his better name cutters like Clause Willig got to put their own name as well on the work done for the shop.

Great looking revolver who ever did the work and a fine piece of family history to cherish.
Congrats!