Cimarron 45 Colt Single-Action

[jussbad]

I have been out of the Cowboy gun scene for over 20 years now. I was hoping some of y'all can assist on an approximate value of this Cimarron Stainless 45 Colt. It is enraved by Master Engraver and in the Guild - Mark V Swanson out of Prescott AZ. The grips are not real ivory. Thanks.
Update Response from the Engraver:
I use the GRS pneumatic graver system, but I also employ hammer/ chisel or hand push as needed for whatever I’m doing.
It is all considered “hand engraving”by FEGA … Firearms Engravers Guild.
I am a FEGA “ Certified Master”.
The end result is the same, only the way the graver is driven through the steel is different, everything is still guided by hand.
The patterns are all hand drawn by me too.

Gary,
Wow, 20 years ago!
Thanks for sending the pictures, it's fun to see these old projects come around again. I never actually got to see these in their finished form as they came to me " in the white" , were engraved and then sent back to Frontier Classics for finishing.

This pattern we called the "3 Scroll" pattern for obvious reasons.
Today the price for the engraving only would be in the $2000 neighborhood.

 

[Johnnu2]

Appears to be "machine engraved". Is it such?
Obviously makes a big difference in value.
J.

 

[jussbad]

This is hand engraved. I'm not sure if the engraver uses air chisel (not sure what it's called) or hammer/chisel.

 

[thedogdidit]

And now for the bad news.
Because it was defaced in such a manner, it is essentially worthless.
I will do you a favor and PM you my address so that I can dispose of it for you.....out of the kindness of my heart. Because I am so benevolent, I will even cover the shipping. You are so very welcome.
But seriously though, WOW! Gorgeous piece ya have there buddy.

 

[Johnnu2]

This is hand engraved. I'm not sure if the engraver uses air chisel (not sure what it's called) or hammer/chisel.

Could be this GraverMeister machine:
https://grs.com/product/gravermeister/
To my untrained eye, it doesn't appear to be old school hammer & cutting 'chisels'.
J.

 

[Cholo]

To my untrained eye, it doesn't appear to be old school hammer & cutting 'chisels'.

Though I'm no expert, either, that can't possibly be machine engraving, and the fact that jussbad said who the master engraver was.

The beauty in hand engraving it that it's not perfect. You have to really look closely to see the human factor. When it's perfectly done by machine, to me it looks downright distasteful to the point of distraction. Ugh!

 

[hittman]

http://fega.com/memberwebpages/masterdetail.asp?recidparam=840

Maybe contact Mr. Swanson?

 

[pyth0n]

This is what I found about M. Swanson. It seems to me he does hand engraving, but nothing here mentions his method.

https://www.facebook.com/mark.swanson.3572/

https://www.bing.com/copilotsearch?q=master+engraver+mark+swanson&FORM=CSSCOP

https://live.amoskeagauction.com/lo...l-Single-Action-Army-Revolver-by-Mark-Swanson

 

[Randyzzz]

All I can add is-
That is an absolutely gorgeous revolver! I keep telling myself “someday”.

 

[jussbad]

All I can add is-
That is an absolutely gorgeous revolver! I keep telling myself “someday”.

This could be your day!

 

[jussbad]

http://fega.com/memberwebpages/masterdetail.asp?recidparam=840

Maybe contact Mr. Swanson?

Have done that - awaiting response.

 

[Randyzzz]

This could be your day!

As in “someday I’ll have a gun engraved”. Not that I wouldn’t love to have the OP’s gun, but that would send me down a whole other wormhole of “accumulating”. I’ve got a 1963 Single Six that Linda couldn’t find a record of it leaving the mothership, and therefore couldn’t letter. I’m thinking if I’m going to scratch one up, that would be the one. Someday.

 

[Yaworski]

I’ve got a 1963 Single Six that Linda couldn’t find a record of it leaving the mothership, and therefore couldn’t letter.

Having a gun with no records might be valuable in of itself.

 

[Randyzzz]

Having a gun with no records might be valuable in of itself.

I wondered about that myself. I do have a letter from Linda explaining that she can’t send a letter…

However, unless Ruger gets back in the game and starts issuing letters again, everything from 1/2026 will not have letters…

 

[jussbad]

Update in original post - response from Master Engraver Mr. Swanson.

 

[Johnnu2]

Could be this GraverMeister machine:
https://grs.com/product/gravermeister/
To my untrained eye, it doesn't appear to be old school hammer & cutting 'chisels'.
J.

YUP, he confirmed that this is, indeed, the machine he used.....That being said, his artistry is very beautiful...

J.

 

[GFlory]

Are you going to put that up for auction?

 

[jussbad]

Are you going to put that up for auction?

No plans for auction but you might see it in the future for sale here on the Forum. Thanks.