Something Special - an Engraved Chief

[RKmesa]

A while back I picked up this Chiefs Special. It shipped in April 1965 to HH Harris in Chicago as a plain gun. Sometime later in its life it was engraved. Some documentation that I received with the gun attributes the engraving to Daniel Love, a FEGA Master Engraver of Arthur, IA. As always, I welcome your thoughts and questions.













Thanks for letting me share.

 

[usm1rifle]

That thing is terrible! Send it to me for disposal...

 

[H Richard]

Very nice. That's a keeper.

 

[ameridaddy]

That beauty looks like something a department might give to a long-serving sheriff or chief for a retirement gift. The rest of the story might be interesting.

 

[Retired W4]

The little oval on the bottom of the trigger guard is perfect for someone's initials.

 

[Onomea]

Very nice! Dan Love engraved my dearly (and foolishly) departed Hamilton Bowen 38/44 .45 Colt conversion.

I remember Dan telling me that something unique about his style was that he did not, after making his engraving cuts, further polish or smooth them out. He's a true artist!

 

[RKmesa]

Very nice! Dan Love engraved my dearly (and foolishly) departed Hamilton Bowen 38/44 .45 Colt conversion.

I remember Dan telling me that something unique about his style was that he did not, after making his engraving cuts, further polish or smooth them out. He's a true artist!View attachment 772563

How could you have ever given that one up is beyond me... It is a beauty that I have stared at often as it sits atop the "workshop" tab of Bowen's website...

https://bowenclassicarms.com/workshop.html

I would love to have a Bowen modified gun and that 45 pushes all the right buttons.

 

[Jerry in SC]

How could you have ever given that one up is beyond me... It is a beauty that I have stared at often as it sits atop the "workshop" tab of Bowen's website...

https://bowenclassicarms.com/workshop.html

I would love to have a Bowen modified gun and that 45 pushes all the right buttons.

Hamilton’s a great talent. He’s retiring this year and stopped taking new work June 1.

 

[Norton 750]

Top shelf. As I gracefully age (I tell myself) it becomes increasingly apparent that the chink in my Cultural Armor is the lack of an engraved sidearm for weddings, wakes, BBQ's and the like. I get by with a nickel plated S&W 36 in a Milt Sparks Holster...or do I? Older I get, the less appropriate this seems. I need a fancy sidearm!!!

 

[tlawler]

Everyone should have an engraved Chiefs!

RK, yours is exquisite!

 

[45NUTT]

Wow, someone really scratched that thing all to hell. Send it over & I'll clean it up a little.

Stunning OP!!

 

[Dino44]

A masterpiece for sure. I am astounded by the level of skill displayed by the master engravers. I can particularly identify with the bird and fish detail. I spent 18 seasons salmon fishing in Washington's Straights of Juan de Fuca. The eagles would perch in the trees waiting for us to toss carcasses on the beach. They were fearless and would swoop down to enjoy a meal. Many times, just mere feet away. Thank you, Richard, for sharing another magnificent member of your collection.

 

[flundertaker]

Ivory for the win!

 

[roundels]

Beauty. You should let me rent to own.

 

[kennyb]

Thats a beaut! I love em too !

 

[22hipower]

Richard, you keep coming up with treasures. I especially like the eagle behind the trigger on this one.

 

[Onomea]

How could you have ever given that one up is beyond me...

Well, ya see it was like this: The gun attracted an admirer who pursued me for several years wanting to buy it. I knew I had much more in it than any rational person would ever pay for it. Customizing guns, as we all know from our reading here, means we'll never get our money back, right?

So, one day I thought to scare the fellow off by quoting him a bit more than I had in it. (Don't recall exactly but about $5.5K.) To my astonishment, the guy went for it. A deal is a deal, so I couldn't back out...

There's a lesson in there, I'm sure!

Very much enjoy seeing your engraved collection, RK. You have a wonderful collection!

 

[RKmesa]

The little oval on the bottom of the trigger guard is perfect for someone's initials.

I agree. Perfect place to personalize it as a presentation to someone.

 

[A10]

I agree. Perfect place to personalize it as a presentation to someone.

My initials are RLF....I'm sure they would fit perfectly!

What a spectacular Chief's Special!

 

[zwartepiet]

Outstanding chief Richard! Really great piece

It appears the barrel and cylinder have had a slightly different treatment than the frame…..almost a color case hardening? Could you elaborate on that when you’re able?

Thanks for sharing it!