If I'm going to try to judge something on a standard of BEAUTY, it must combine Form, Function and Fit. Fit means that it must be relatively ergonomic in order to be convenient for usage. Form and Function combine, ideally, and if the proportions can be made harmonious, then you can have a thing of beauty. Embellishment is like makeup on a woman; it takes very little to accent a truly beautiful woman. If she needs more, it's because you're trying to make up for some deficiency or other.
That said, there can also be some REALLY impressive embellishment, and I think we have seen a most impressive amount of that here. Some of the guns shown have been true works of art.
My own picks would have to be:
Blackpowder period muzzleloader: 1860 Colt Army
Cartridge revolver: Webley Mark VI
Cartridge SA pistol: 9mm Luger with 4-3/4" barrel (Yes, they did make some. NO, I don't own one! I make-do with a very minty 1916 P.'08.)
The Tokarev should be in the list for Form and Function at least; it falls down a little on Fit, at least for me. (I DO own one, Hungarian, and it's a LOT of fun!)
But that is strictly MY take on things.
Let's see some more pretty ones!
That said, there can also be some REALLY impressive embellishment, and I think we have seen a most impressive amount of that here. Some of the guns shown have been true works of art.
My own picks would have to be:
Blackpowder period muzzleloader: 1860 Colt Army
Cartridge revolver: Webley Mark VI
Cartridge SA pistol: 9mm Luger with 4-3/4" barrel (Yes, they did make some. NO, I don't own one! I make-do with a very minty 1916 P.'08.)
The Tokarev should be in the list for Form and Function at least; it falls down a little on Fit, at least for me. (I DO own one, Hungarian, and it's a LOT of fun!)
But that is strictly MY take on things.
Let's see some more pretty ones!
