Outstanding German Engraved/Inlaid 3.5" Pre-27

[RKmesa]

A few months ago, I became aware of an interesting engraved 3.5" .357 Magnum. It was German engraved, had importer marks on it and wore grips with a distinct/unique "Southwest flair". I knew as soon as I saw it, that it needed to come to AZ. Here are a few photos of what it looked like when it got it home and polished up a bit.





..and some close-ups of the unique grips...





One of our wonderful forum and SWCA members who lives in Germany graciously did some sleuthing and confirmed with the engraver that "Fritz Oberdorfer did the work". He called Fritz, and sent him photos, whereupon Fritz "confirmed engraving the Revolver around 1980." - a huge THANK YOU to Paul!!!

Although I do like the unique silver and turquoise grips, I also fit a set of KD's elk grips to the gun...





I think that they turned out quite nice.

Here are a few more detail photos, where you can see how the engraver artfully incorporated the import marks, inlaid a climbing leopard, and inlaid the initials of the person who commissioned the engraving ("MG") into the beautiful German scroll.























As always, I welcome and value any thoughts or observations that you may have about this gun.

Thanks for letting me share,

 

[clang444]

It looks like it has a British Nitro Proof stamp on it. Did it come from England?

 

[Nightowl]

Richard: You sure are the master at finding and acquiring engraved beauties!! I wouldn't be surprised if your safe was engraved!

 

[Chuck24]

Beautiful gun, I must say I like the grips you put on much better

 

[M29since14]

That's really extraordinary. Thanks for showing us that one. I don't want to say anything bad about the ornate stocks but I do like your elk stocks better. Sometimes "more is less."

 

[lestert357]

Many probably feel the total effect is too busy with the silver and turquoise grips, but I would leave them on the gun if it was mine. Another masterpiece either way! P. S. If you don't want the silver and turquoise grips send them to the Old Dominion!

 

[KSK]

Congratulations, Richard. Another nicely engraved Pre 27 for your collection! Is the inlay metal Silver?

 

[bengal fan]

Absolutely stunning!
I'm normally a stag fan, but those don't look right to me on that amazing gun. I'd leave the original grips on it.
Either way, congratulations on an amazing gun!!

 

[Mblhopo]

I think a gun that nice should have a set of carved Ivory, or a set of vintage amber Samber Stags, or better yet Stags from the black forest in Germany would be nice. Black forest Stag is really nice.{but that's just me}..........................................M*

 

[Shrike6]

That is truly worthy of the term "Masterpiece".
I love Southwestern jewelery like the stocks. Just not on that engraved beauty. Obviously meant something to the original owner. Would be interesting to find out the backstory on this gun with the unique stocks.

 

[rct269]

------------gives a whole new meaning to "full coverage"---and then some!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[bigwheelzip]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Those original grips are real eye-catchers.


Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

 

[smitholdtimer]

Absolutely Outstanding, Richard!

I'd say that the original Grips that were on your new Artistacially Perfect example are more appropriate but it's a matter of opinion. The only thing that may be missisng is a Silver insert in the front sight. Very Nice either way!

 

[RKmesa]

It looks like it has a British Nitro Proof stamp on it. Did it come from England?

I don't know where the proof marks are from, but my understanding is that it resided in a German collection before making its way back to the US.

I was hoping that someone could definitively tell me about the proof marks - origin and timing of when they would have been applied.

There are marks at the apex of each of the cylinder flutes, one on the left side of the frame in front of the cylinder, and then a bunch of proofing testing info on the underside of the barrel lug. Here are the best photos I have of the marks:





Any identification help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Each time you post a new acquisition I think, "It can't get any better than that."

Then you trump your previous stunner with a better one. This one will be hard to top.

Another voice for the original grips. They're strikingly handsome.

Add:

Here's a list that might help with the Birmingham British proofs:

British Proofs

The photo is an example of what I might have expected on a German export.

 

[margethatcher]

My vote would be for simple aged ivory. But that's just one mans opinion.

 

[quinn]

Beautiful gun, but like some others, I find those grips truly inspirational!

 

[SFIDEC]

Absolutely Gorgeous!!!
Thanks for sharing
Ray

 

[LPD256]

Love, love, love the gun. The original grips would be awesome on a SOuthwest inspired engraved gun. Something from Mexico, Santa Fe or Sedona. They were awesome on this gun as well. I have 5-6 pairs of Ken's grips. I'm a big fan there also.

 

[RKmesa]

Here's a list that might help with the Birmingham British proofs:

British Proofs

Bob:

Thank you for the chart (I linked the image in your quoted post). So it looks like British Birmingham Proof House marks from 1954 - 1989 (but before it was engraved in 1980ish). The stamping on the bottom of the barrel shroud mostly makes sense to me... This what it looks like (after the Birmingham proof mark):

.357 MAGNUM | .250/2400
15.5 GRs HERCULES
161 '' BULLET

I am pretty solid on the caliber, the grains of powder and the bullet weight. But I do not know what the .250 over the 2400 means? Can anyone help me out?

Thanks,