UPDATED Another old scratched up N Frame ...

[model3sw]

[QUOTE
....
( it was a 55 hours job )

I would have thought more like 55 days or weeks. What an incredible piece of work![/QUOTE]

I suppose that at the hands of a Master Engraver, 55 hours would do it but I'd have thought about 100 hours of work.

Under 40x magnification, there is not one flaw, not one stopped and started line.

Although my craftsmanship is limited to vintage and antique auto restoration, I am so amazed at his work.

Absolutely the finest I've ever seen. IMHO either as fine or finer than a Kornbrath engraved S&W I've examined of Gary Garbrecht's collection. Although, I say a tie or equal in the long guns and special commissions I'd put Kornbrath and Willig at a dead heat in a comparison for their best works.

This was one of Gary's Kornbrath's: *EXTRAORDINARILY RARE KORNBRATH ENGRAVED SMITH & WESSON .44 HAND EJECTOR 3RD MODEL DA REVOLVER.

 

[model3sw]

Some professional pictures of the Willig engraved, compliments of fellow member and friend, Mark Calzaretta ....

 

[boykinlp]

Just Revised with professional photos by Mark Calzaretta. Stocks with Gold inlays, too ...

The new pictures are fantastic!! The only thing I would do is take the key, to the wooden case, and put it in a different compartment from the gun!

 

[RKmesa]

Some professional pictures of the Willig engraved, compliments of fellow member and friend, Mark Calzaretta ....

Love the new photos!!! Some very nice work by Mark.

 

[model3sw]

Love the new photos!!! Some very nice work by Mark.

He's the best. He once gifted me a few of his special prints from his Playboy magazine days. Printed on polished aluminum media instead of photo paper.

Still not decided which photos get me more excited, the Playboy photos or the S&W photos.

 

[model3sw]

>>> Bump for reference in another, related post.

 

[Model39]

Since We Are Showing Off Engraved "N" Frames

!958 Pre-Model 27 Engraved (Shown Before).

 

[handejector]

Finally-
Some Barbecue BEAR GUNS!!!!!

Those are beauties, guys.

 

[rgm36]

I have to admit that envy is crouching at my door.

With all the bad financial setbacks I've had in my life, I have never had the funds for such beauties.

All I can do is "stop" looking at them so I don't get sad.

Congratulations - true craftsmanship, wondrous creativity and pure beauty.

 

[shouldazagged]

It's amazing to me that creating that magnificent piece of art took only fifty-five hours.

 

[RKmesa]

It's amazing to me that creating that magnificent piece of art took only fifty-five hours.

...plus an amazing talent...plus 50 years of experience with a hammer and chisel...

 

[model3sw]

I have to admit that envy is crouching at my door.

With all the bad financial setbacks I've had in my life, I have never had the funds for such beauties.

All I can do is "stop" looking at them so I don't get sad.

Congratulations - true craftsmanship, wondrous creativity and pure beauty.

Don't be envious. Years back I had more loose cash then I knew what to do with. To stay OUT of trouble, I invested in my old S&W hobby. Now, I have to pick and choose carefully.

I was, by no means, a "broke-ster" however, when Gary Garbrecht (RIP) was alive, he'd out spend me 10 to 1. He was genuinely a regular, down-to-earth, guy. He never made me feel as though I was a welfare child and I admired his collection as much as it were my own. When he ran out of Registered Magnums to buy, I showed him some Model 3s. Gary, singlehandedly, created the first world's shortage of Model 3s and drove the prices through the roof. God, I wish he were still here.

That's what this forum does for us, it allows us all to share in each other achievements and accomplishments ... and ... newly found old treasures.

 

[model3sw]

...plus an amazing talent...plus 50 years of experience with a hammer and chisel...

Richard, just upping this post for a friend who asked. Best Regards, Sal Raimondi, Sr. S&WCA LM#1300.

 

[lestert357]

Another Willig Engraved Example.....

I would like to add one to this thread.......this one was done by the Willigs (Claus and his father Emil) in the late 1950's as confirmed by the recent email response I received from Claus Willig:

"Hi Mr Lester. Your S&W is engraved for sure in our shop, before the 1960s. At that time (1955) I started recording all my engravings. In your case my father did the scenes and I did the goldlines and the English. It is always a great pleasure to see early jobs so many years later again.
Sincerely Claus Willig"

Claus Willig was approximately 20 years old when he engraved this piece. Thanks to RKmesa for the email contact information for Mr. Willig. I plan on doing a separate thread for this piece once I have all of the background information I want plus some better photos. Click on the photos for a closer look.

Photo Credit Morphy Auctions

 

[CptCurl]

Glad to see a revival of this thread. I missed it when first presented. Beautiful work!

Curl

 

[RKmesa]

I would like to add one to this thread.......this one was done by the Willigs (Claus and his father Emil) in the late 1950's ...

Terry:

What a beauty!!! Thanks for sharing. I look forward to seeing the thread when you have finished your research.

 

[Indynick]

The mirror photo is very cool.

 

[model3sw]

Christmas bump !