The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: crusader rabbit on March 29, 2013, 02:08:57 PM
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So just after the first of the year I started Jones-ing for something new in the fire arms arena. Trouble is, I have much of what I want, and the stuff I don't have and still lust after is out of my financial reach.
In trying to figure out what I wanted to do, I visited one of my local purveyors of weaponry and saw a fine example of an engraved wheel gun. That captured my attention.
After a bit of research, I discovered we have a master engraver working locally. The guy's name is Ken Smith, and he has a website at www.KenSmithEngraving.com where you can see examples of his work.
Now, before we go on I need to state categorically that I have no fiduciary or financial relationship with Mr. Smith. If anyone decides to contact him, it's okay to mention Crusader Rabbit, but I receive no benefit as a result. So, here are a few shots of Ken working on my Rossi .357 mag, model 971 in stainless steel.
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/CaptDave2010/th_100_0951_zps29de6581.jpg?t=1364581721)
Ken working on my .357
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/CaptDave2010/th_100_0965_zps6fefb426.jpg?t=1364581892)
The right side.
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/CaptDave2010/th_100_0964_zpsb09e2142.jpg?t=1364581868)
The left side.
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/CaptDave2010/th_100_0961_zps6c507fe1.jpg?t=1364582009)
Closer look at the cylinder.
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/CaptDave2010/th_100_0960_zps3cb4636a.jpg?t=1364581797)
The trigger guard and under barrel.
Photos aren't all that great, but the work is superb. Ken is one of the few engravers authorized by Colt to do their work. Check out his website. There's a lot of information and background on this guy. And yes, he can address engraving by mail,but the gun has to be sent in at least two separate packages so they come as parts, not a gun.
It takes time to get something like this completed. I took my gun in around the second week of January and I just got it back today. But, the man is an artist and art can't be rushed. And this Rabbit is quite satisfied with the result. Itwas well sworth the wait.
FWIW,
Crusader Rabbit
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Nice! I wish the photos were better.
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Very nice..... if it looks that good in the small photos, it must be fantastic in person.
One of these days, I'm gonna come down there and have a look at it. ;) :D
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Well, now you have something for the Party Gun thread :D
Very nice...
need bigger pics though...they don't expand when clicked...
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What is the pricing like ?
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What is the pricing like ?
Stuff ain't cheap, Tom. His price list suggests 100% engraving for around $1800. However, he seems willing to depart rather substantially from his posted prices.
These shots are on PhotoBucket and I think I just figured out how to share a bigger size.
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/CaptDave2010/100_0959_zpsbc992c88.jpg)
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/CaptDave2010/100_0960_zps3cb4636a.jpg)
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/CaptDave2010/100_0965_zps6fefb426.jpg)
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/CaptDave2010/100_0962_zpscbdab9d2.jpg)
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beautiful! Now you need a fancy holster to show it off.
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Very good work.
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Yeah, a click over to the "Leather Shop" forum is definitely indicated.
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Ohh, that IS good work, CR........ Definitely need a good tooled leather piece to go with that.
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Very nice work! This is becoming a lost art. Fewer and fewer young people in this country are taking it up. They still have several apprentices in Europe where it is practiced and in demand more.
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Very nice work! This is becoming a lost art. Fewer and fewer young people in this country are taking it up. They still have several apprentices in Europe where it is practiced and in demand more.
You're certainly right on the mark regarding the "lost art" aspect of this. Ken is 68 and he has no apprentice with whom to share his accumulated wisdom and technique. When Ken is gone, one of the true masters in a decreasing population of engravers will be gone. And there are not many youngsters coming along to take up the profession. Ken says he has no intention of retiring and has told his wife that he expects to die at his work station--but not at any time soon.
Ken's technique is interesting to watch, and I feel quite honored to have seen him working on my gun. He starts by giving the metal a light coating of "patch grease" from a can that looks like it could be a saddle soap tin. He has worn the middle of the material out to about a two inch diameter, but he claims to have had that same can for more than 30 years, so that's not a major expense. Anyway, after he coats the metal, he draws the image or scroll design (usually in an American Scroll style) onto it with a sharp pencil. Then he begins cutting with a carbide tipped cutter in what amounts to a miniature, air powered jack hammer. He controls the speed and power with a foot control that looks like what you'd see with a sewing machine.
After the design is cut, Ken goes back with a differently tipped bit to do the stippling or shading which makes the design really pop. Each stipple is an individually made divot and requires exact placement. There may be hundreds or even thousands of these little accent points in a larger piece.
Ken says he has been blessed with the ability to copy essentially any piece of artwork and engrave it onto metal. I've seen him do "The End of the Trail" (with the Indian on horseback holding his spear at his side) scene on a lever gun. It was simply beautiful. The other side of the gun had a beautifully engraved rattlesnake, ready to strike.
As to the need for a fancy holster, I think that's a given. I just have to collect my pennies until I can afford one worthy of this beautiful gun. And, I'm afraid that's going to be a while of collecting. But, I have another birthday coming up in less than a year. Maybe I can talk Bunny into gatting me something nice.
Crusader Rabbit