"Wildflower" - an Engraved 357 Magnum

I'm usually not a big fan of engraved guns but I think that is one of the nicest I've seen. I would find a place in my safe anytime.
 
Who ever said "money can't buy happiness" was obviously not a collector of historical or exquisitely engraved firearms. I am certain, I'm not the only one that gets a huge smile and sense of euphoria when Richard shares his S&W masterpieces.
 
Very nice Richard.

I really like it when new designs and patterns are used and tastefully. It's very pleasing to the eye and not overstated.

Since this gun has been patterned around these grips do you intend to mark the back of these grips with a year and serial number of the gun?

Maybe 50-100 years from now someone might be happy to see that
 
I am in awe...but also a little puzzled. Is the fact that an action job was done, by a pro, an indication that you intend to shoot this work of art? Or that something otherwise perfect deserves the perfect action even if no mortal is ever allowed to caress the trigger? Inquiring minds want to know.
 
Thanks for posting Richard, always fun to see my grips on your exquisite revolvers, and thanks to all for the kind comments.
Birdseye is probably my favorite non walnut wood and it finishes well. Tim, I’ll be looking for you !
 
Ide love to know how or why you picked this particular gun to be engraved? Obviously a very nice pre 27 but what was its condition before all the work? Did you select it because it wasn’t otherwise remarkable and therefore all the work would be hugely additive or was the gun essentially unfired 99% and basically started with an immaculate blank canvas?
 
Buford57 said:
I am in awe...but also a little puzzled. Is the fact that an action job was done, by a pro, an indication that you intend to shoot this work of art? Or that something otherwise perfect deserves the perfect action even if no mortal is ever allowed to caress the trigger? Inquiring minds want to know.
Click to expand...

My somewhat less than expert opinion is the action job is simply a finishing touch---something that needed to be done because it could be done---and done by a world class craftsman-----just like the other world class craftsmen who've laid hands on this jewel!

As to the why of all this, "It only costs a little more to go first class!"

Ralph Tremaine
 
Usually, coverage that extensive strikes me as overdone and gaudy.

That one just looks classy...
 
Speaking of the credit given by Richard to the men and women employed by S&W in the early 1950's (Post #1), there is a photo essay in the 1954 issue of The Gun Digest (8th edition/ 60 photos with captions/plus 3 more of an introductory nature----ten pages in all)-----"Raw Steel to Smith & Wesson -------The Story of Revolver Making"-----more than interesting--and worth your while!!

Ralph Tremaine

And it starts off with an engraved and gold inlaid 357 Magnum by Rudolph Kornbrath. (Speaking of the same, I once stumbled upon a .22 Outdoorsman done by the same at a Louisville show----complete with his full set of the preliminary drawings. Speaking of "This is serious business, bring money!", the asking price was $125,000!!

I was tempted, but short on funds---no surprise there! The Boss Lady said "WHAT?!!---Are you nuts?" I told her "No----just dreaming.---it doesn't cost anything to dream." She told me to do it on my own time and my own dime!
 
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Retired W4 said:
That should be a good shooter. :rolleyes:
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Buford57 said:
I am in awe...but also a little puzzled. Is the fact that an action job was done, by a pro, an indication that you intend to shoot this work of art? Or that something otherwise perfect deserves the perfect action even if no mortal is ever allowed to caress the trigger? Inquiring minds want to know.
Click to expand...

Before I had it engraved it was a great shooter (and I am confident that it still would be a great shooter if I was so inclined to shoot it these days). It was one of the guns that I took shooting on a regular basis. All of the S&Ws that I shoot regularly have made the pilgrimage to Nelson Ford for his action job - they are just that much nicer to shoot when he works his magic on them (Nelson is also a good friend that shares a passion for cool S&Ws).

flundertaker said:
Ide love to know how or why you picked this particular gun to be engraved? Obviously a very nice pre 27 but what was its condition before all the work? Did you select it because it wasn’t otherwise remarkable and therefore all the work would be hugely additive or was the gun essentially unfired 99% and basically started with an immaculate blank canvas?
Click to expand...

There came a time when I did not have a gun out with an engraver in the process of being engraved. An itch started in my lower spine that could only be scratched by getting one of my guns scratched up. In looking through my collection, this 6.5"er jumped out as a gun that I thought would be a great candidate for engraving. It was is nice condition (but not too nice), had a 6.5" barrel (which is a length that I had never commissioned to be engraved) and I loved the front sight, with its exposed pins and the gold bead. Here are a few photos of the before (when it was a nice shooter-grade gun) and after (when it when it became a canvas for some talented artists).:)









Thank you to all for your comments and thoughts.
 
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