Gun Engraving

[canvasback]

If you’re going to shoot trap or any clays games, you’ll want a heavier gun to absorb recoil. 7 1/2 pounds. 28” or 30” barrels. You’ll want a post 1925 gun (modern powders) with original 2 3/4” chambers. If you really want a SxS and that’s your intended use, I’d look for a classic American 12 gauge. A Fox Sterlingworth, Fox A Grade or Ithaca NID come to mind. Sturdy, well built guns. I use a Remington 1894 B Grade but that’s an earlier gun I had restocked. You should find those guns for under $1000.

I’m recommending those because the well made English and Continental guns you are likely to find will most likely be in the lighter side and you’ll tire of shooting them at the range. Too much recoil. Keep watching the EE. Good guns show up. They just aren’t there the moment you decide you want one.

 

[sillymike]

Don't know about other people, but for me at least, "interesting" stuff pretty much always came by because of word-of-mouth.
- Talk with someone, who knows someone who might have what you're looking for.

Sometime (at least in my case) buying said firearm can be a somewhat interesting "adventure".
- The current owner will put you through a "interview" process, to get to know you and your intended use for the gun your interested in... they want to make sure you're interested in the firearm for other reason than to "flip" it.
- I have gentlemen's agreement that should I decide to part with it later on, it should first be offered to so and so.
- It can sometime be a lengthy process. As in, talk to a friend "if you're ever thinking of selling this or that, let me know"... to a decade later, getting a call on a Tuesday night "Hey Mike, still interested in that, I think I'm ready to let you have it..."
- Sometime I got (what I thought) way-too-good of a deal. Sometime I know I paid too much... But hey, there are some thing that you know you can't put price on.

 

[canvasback]

Don't know about other people, but for me at least, "interesting" stuff pretty much always came by because of word-of-mouth.
- Talk with someone, who knows someone who might have what you're looking for.

Sometime (at least in my case) buying said firearm can be a somewhat interesting "adventure".
- The current owner will put you through a "interview" process, to get to know you and your intended use for the gun your interested in... they want to make sure you're interested in the firearm for other reason than to "flip" it.
- I have gentlemen's agreement that should I decide to part with it later on, it should first be offered to so and so.
- It can sometime be a lengthy process. As in, talk to a friend "if you're ever thinking of selling this or that, let me know"... to a decade later, getting a call on a Tuesday night "Hey Mike, still interested in that, I think I'm ready to let you have it..."
- Sometime I got (what I thought) way-too-good of a deal. Sometime I know I paid too much... But hey, there are some thing that you know you can't put price on.

This is exactly how I find guns. I didn’t know it when I started buying SxS but I was forming a network of like minded people. It’s developed over the last 15 years to the point that I’m rarely “looking” for a gun. If anything I’m trying to avoid them. Lol.

Additionally by far and away the best “deals” I’ve made have been guns that people alerted me to. But it can seem like a slow process.

 

[sillymike]

Nothing fancy, but recently had the opportunity to spend some time chasing grouse with an older friend's Francotte
- The finish certainly looks like it has seen better days, and the checkering, well... still better than what I would do (I guess)

 

[Pinfire]

Nothing fancy, but recently had the opportunity to spend some time chasing grouse with an older friend's Francotte
- The finish certainly looks like it has seen better days, and the checkering, well... still better than what I would do (I guess)[/IMG]

Perfect gun for the task. And I'd rather look at a small amount of hand engraving than a laser drawing, any day.

 

[sillymike]

I think this tread needs a bump
- Nice engraving and a interesting black-horn triggerguard...

 

[canvasback]

Thanks for bumping this fun thread SM. I just went through the whole thing. A lot of nice looking engraving posted. Going to have a look around and see what else I’ve got to add to the pile.

 

[ParksPipes]

I think this tread needs a bump
- Nice engraving and a interesting black-horn triggerguard...

That’s beautiful!
What make is it?
I’m guessing something German....
The horn trigger guard is awesome too, though I imagine it must be more susceptible to wear
I don’t care I want one!

 

[skwerl]

Xlnt idea Mike , love these old classics

 

[sillymike]

That’s beautiful!
What make is it?
I’m guessing something German....
The horn trigger guard is awesome too, though I imagine it must be more susceptible to wear
I don’t care I want one!

It was only listed as being German, and the brand as Prima
- I'd guess a Prima Fluss Stahl

Listed at £995, which is about $1,500 Cdn...

 

[Pinfire]

Fine engraving is a real delight. The more you look at it, the more details you pick up, and the more technique is revealed. It is not just about filling in empty space for the sake of it, or at least it shouldn't be.

I had hoped this thread would have become a sticky, as a primer to understanding engraving styles and the evolution of designs as guns themselves evolved, and to attract more contributions of examples. With this thread bumped up again, maybe it will. Here to help it along a bit more is engraving, this time on a 12-bore pin-fire game gun by William and James Kavanagh of Dublin, Ireland, made around 1865:

 

[sillymike]

Beautiful piece!
- I'm always amazed to see 150 years old screws, still unmolested...

Until I stumbled upon the Prima (a few post ahead) I always assumed that the use of horn in shotgun was limited to butplate and tips... I guess not. If you look around, there are a few trigger-guards and even levers

COLLATH TWO BARREL SET, COURTESY OF MR. FREDRIK FRANZÉN IN SWEDEN

 

[canvasback]

Horn trigger guards are relatively common on German and Austrian guns. Even hammerless. One of the benefits of horn is it isn't nearly as cold as steel. In Canada, that's not a bad thing. But conversely typically less room for gloved fingers. But that's a problem with all double trigger guns.

 

[maple leaf]

Thank-you for so many beautiful pictures. All amazing works if art!

 

[Ashcroft]

Here is one that will surprise many. A Frank Malin 12 gauge best boxlock, made in Melbourne Ontario ( near London of course). Malin brought in a team of talented gunmakers from Britain and produced best quality only guns made to order, mostly sidelocks. They were in business in Ontario for less than five years in the late 70’s, early 80’s and produced less than 200 guns in total before going bankrupt, moving to the US where they produced a few more before fading away. A very controversial individual, Malin’s best guns were BEST guns and will stand proudly with any competitors.
Made in 1980, this gun is one of very few Malin boxlocks. Leather cased with original en suite engraved accessories I consider this to be a Canadian masterpiece. Engraved by Ron Collings with his own one of a kind design, Mr Collings moved south and had a famed career in the US and is now retired in California.

 

[canvasback]

Wow, that's quite a gun Ashcroft. I can definitely say I have not seen a Frank Malin boxlock before.

 

[Falconflyer]

An absolutely stunning gun Ashcroft!

 

[Londonshooter]

Should be a sticky!

Nice stuff, gentlemen!
My Merkel 147SE 12 gauge:

 

[dilly]

I love German relief engraving…and horn trigger guards….

Very nice

 

[saskbooknut]

The Frank Malin story is worth further research, for those who are not familiar with the story. A Google search will give some not very laudatory details.
He was convicted of fraud for taking deposits on guns that were never delivered.
While some Malin guns are of high quality, there are some guns, made with Spanish parts, that don't make the grade.