My first engraved revolver, .44 Hand Ejector Military Model of 1950

[bamabiker]

I'll second what he ^^^said.

 

[7.62match]

Like gdogs said you stole it. I like the stocks it came with but the ivories are outstanding on it.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Awesome find! Another vote here on the ivories. Congrats on that fine gun!

 

[RKmesa]

Great gun - Congrats! I would caution you that engraved guns are addictive and that 44 holds a fairly high dose of addictivity that will probably carry over to your next few purchases. I too love the ivories on that one.

Thanks for sharing all the great photos.

 

[CH4]

That’s a sweet piece! I don’t chase engraved guns, but for $1300 and in 44 spl, I’d would have been all over it!

Congratulations!

 

[murphydog]

Great find! I may have been near it, but gave up looking on GA years ago after some highly negative experiences in which the site management was worse than useless. Enjoy!

 

[A10]

What a great gun, and what an amazing price! I too found those PC Magnas to have been an odd choice to be on the gun, but the Ivories are perfect!

Of course, now you need an engraved Model 58!

 

[raljr1]

Awesome....and a steal ..

 

[2152hq]

Alfonse Kontout was a freelase engraver as far as I remember.
He was already quite well established though low key when I was getting started. That was in the early 70's.

He probably did some outsourced work for Winchester, lots of engravers did back then.

Nice revolver for sure and a great price!.

His engraved firearms show up on the auctions once in a while especially engraved Winchester L/A's.

I think there's a pic of one of his pieces (Winchester rifle of course) in the freelanse engravers section toward the back of RLWilsons 'Winchester Engraving' book. That's from the mid 70's.

 

[SouthNarc]

Alfonse Kontout was a freelase engraver as far as I remember.
He was already quite well established though low key when I was getting started. That was in the early 70's.

He probably did some outsourced work for Winchester, lots of engravers did back then.

Nice revolver for sure and a great price!.

His engraved firearms show up on the auctions once in a while especially engraved Winchester L/A's.

I think there's a pic of one of his pieces (Winchester rifle of course) in the freelanse engravers section toward the back of RLWilsons 'Winchester Engraving' book. That's from the mid 70's.

Thank you sir I appreciate that information!

 

[Gun Relics]

Great buy, beautiful gun!

 

[SouthNarc]

Shipped February 1954 according to Dr. Jinks.

 

[bob1956]

Nice find, bought a few guns from that collection. He had a lot of guns!

 

[bruce5781]

Cool. I saw your post over on FB, where we had a short discussion on the size of Stretch's collection.
Regards,
Bruce

Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk

 

[boykinlp]

Craig, you got a definite GEM for a “lump of coal” price! I, too, think ditching the grips that came on it for the Ivory is a perfect decision. I wonder how long it had been listed on GA, with pretty good pictures, before you called? Usually, the only way something like this happens, is the pictures the seller shows are terrible, and the buyer takes a chance. If you keep this up, you’ll be right up there with Richard soon! Great pickup, and thanks for sharing.
Larry

 

[Dino44]

SouthNarc, my first engraved gun was also done by MR Alfonce Kontout.
Here is link Engraved 640 Centennial

I purchased it when I saw that the engraver was from my hometown. I went to grammar school and high school with kids that were likely his grandchildren. I searched the internet for information about him but only found a few photos. One being your revolver. There was not much other history out there. I did find his obituary and after reading it I asked my dad if he knew him as they were both in the construction industry. He did recall knowing him. Here is an excerpt:

He was a self-employed general contractor. After his retirement, Mr. Kontout worked as a firearms engraver and skrimshander. He did artistic engraving and was featured in the area newspaper. He was a charter member of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America. Mr. Kontout was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the Carpenters Union and was foreman and superintendent of the union. He was a member of the Oakville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7330. His hobbies included hunting and fishing. Mr. Kontout passed in 2001 at the age of 84.

 

[SouthNarc]

Craig, you got a definite GEM for a “lump of coal” price! I, too, think ditching the grips that came on it for the Ivory is a perfect decision. I wonder how long it had been listed on GA, with pretty good pictures, before you called? Usually, the only way something like this happens, is the pictures the seller shows are terrible, and the buyer takes a chance. If you keep this up, you’ll be right up there with Richard soon! Great pickup, and thanks for sharing.
Larry

I have a LOOOOOONG way to go to catch up with Richard!

Next lifetime maybe!

 

[SouthNarc]

SouthNarc, my first engraved gun was also done by MR Alfonce Kontout.
Here is link Engraved 640 Centennial

I purchased it when I saw that the engraver was from my hometown. I went to grammar school and high school with kids that were likely his grandchildren. I searched the internet for information about him but only found a few photos. One being your revolver. There was not much other history out there. I did find his obituary and after reading it I asked my dad if he knew him as they were both in the construction industry. He did recall knowing him. Here is an excerpt:

He was a self-employed general contractor. After his retirement, Mr. Kontout worked as a firearms engraver and skrimshander. He did artistic engraving and was featured in the area newspaper. He was a charter member of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America. Mr. Kontout was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the Carpenters Union and was foreman and superintendent of the union. He was a member of the Oakville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7330. His hobbies included hunting and fishing. Mr. Kontout passed in 2001 at the age of 84.

Sir thank you so much I really appreciate it! As you noted information on Mr. Kontout is razor thin so it’s nice to have some more background on this talented man.

 

[Dino44]

Sir thank you so much I really appreciate it! As you noted information on Mr. Kontout is razor thin so it’s nice to have some more background on this talented man.

You are very welcome, Sir.

The town of Watertown of which Oakville is a part of has a history museum and the VFW hall is still active. I also know exactly where the family home is. I am going to make some inquiries to see if I can come up with other interesting details. I will let you know what I find.

 

[Kinman]

After taking a good look at all of the pictures again for the second time I have to say that I am envious, that is truly a beautiful job. I particularly like the way the engraver left the area where the bolt stop makes its unavoidable mark over time, nice touch. Little things...