Fully engraved S47 found... Final Update.

[Heliman]

What started out as a disappointing day at the gunshow turned into a winner. I did my final walk around at the show a found a fully engraved S47, gold inlayed, with scrimshawed ivory grips and an inlayed silver wolf on the top strap. SN is 14315. It has a non-Micro aluminum rear sight, aluminum ejector rod housing, steel grip frame, and small lettering/numbers . It also has a nicely plumbed frame. The engraving was done in the 60's. Don't know the engraver. I am happy again! :D Some pics......

Happy Dave :!:

 

[radicalrod]

WOW, I would be happy TOO......that is nice....RR.

 

[mike722]

now that is nice....

 

[Doc4429]

Very nice!! Engraved and gold inlaid revolvers are difficult to find.

Bill

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Outstanding!!!
The Beauty and the Quality of Workmanship,,sure stands out on your NEW Baby!! :D :D
Thanks for sharing!
Terry

 

[Heliman]

Now that my excitement has died down a little, how does one place a value on this particular piece. I didn't get in to it cheap by no means, $1500. I don't know the engraver, because the original owner has passed just recently and was being sold from his collection with no provenance other than the revolver was engraved in the 60's. What are ivory grips worth? I would like to know, for insurance and investment reasons what his revolver would be worth. Any wild guesses or suggestions on appraising? Thanks!

Dave

 

[street]

If you only paid $1500 for that amount of engraving on an Old Model Transition Super Blackhawk, and got Ivory grips to boot. Then you got that gun Damn cheap!!! Great buy!!! Keep an eye on your front door as the Police will be there to take you to jail, as you stold that gun! :lol: "WOW!"

 

[BlackEagle]

Awesome gun! Super bargain too!

 

[krw]

If you bought a nice Super and commissioned that amount of engraving and inlay, then found a set of Ivories and paid for the scrimshaw you would have a 'chunk' tied up in the pistol! But it always goes back to something is worth what you can sell it for. I think you got a good deal but I don't think you can sell it for anywhere near what the cost would be to have this done. My 2 bits? krw

 

[contender]

A very nice gun!
To value it,,, I would investigate the expense of getting that work done currently. Then insure the gun for that amount plus 10%.
Example;
Gun; $600
Ivory grips with scrimshaw; $600-$800
Engraving; I have no clue but lets say at least $1000 not counting the cost of the gold,,,! (I'd contact engravers to get actual prices.)
Total the amounts,,, and then add 10%.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

That's the nicest "scratched up" gun I've ever seen.

Just . . . WOW!

:shock: :shock: :shock: :mrgreen: :shock: :shock: :shock:

 

[americal]

VERY NICE INDEED :!: 1960's engraving is neat,sure makes it more interesting to me for the work to have been done at that early date........... 8) 8)

 

[Robb Barnes]

Man Dave, what a nice find! Glad you found it to brighten up the show. Hope you are feeling okay as well,

Robb

 

[Heliman]

Man Dave, what a nice find! Glad you found it to brighten up the show. Hope you are feeling okay as well,

Robb

Robb, thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers. I actually feel pretty good right now......and a lot better after picking up this one. It was right in your back yard at the Albany Gun Show. :D

All the best,
Dave

 

[Robb Barnes]

That is what I get for road tripping with my son to Denver on Friday morning and flying back today!

 

[d findley]

That looks like a Bob Evans engraving job. I don't have a phone number but should not be hard to track down. He is still engraving.

 

[Heliman]

That looks like a Bob Evans engraving job. I don't have a phone number but should not be hard to track down. He is still engraving.

Don, thanks for the information. I contacted Mr. Evans and will drop by sometime this week and have him look at the revolver. I drive right by his house on the way home from work. :shock: Lucky me! :D

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Based upon the sheer volume of work, Ivory, gold and the acknowledged hardness of the Super gun, I will tell you that Evans may tell you his rate for a complete and finished gun of this format would exceed $8000..........Tell us what he advised after meeting with you, please. It is a very very great acquisition, and exceeds the one I bought from James DeMunck. Good for you. :wink: MIKE

 

[Don Garlitz]

I Belive that gun Might have been ingraved By FE Warren. Take the EJ Housing off and see if it is Signed & dated? Take a look at this single six.

Just Thinking????

 

[Heliman]

I removed the grip panels, cylinder, and ejector rod housing. No evidence of an engravers mark yet. Didn't look under the rear sight assembly yet. I have an appointment with Bob Evans Friday. Maybe he can shed a light.........

Dave

 

[Johnnu2]

Hawkeye28 is on the money for REAL i.e. not by machine engraving and real inlays of precious metals. And THAT is definitely REAL engraving. I believe that most of today's engravers use machines. My 2-cents; after having priced real engraving in the 1970's and 1980's. Absolutely beautiful work. John N.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

. . . and then there are those who use the etching process and call it "engraving".

:roll:

 

[Johnnu2]

We know who that is.............. :D

 

[flatgate]

Awesome find! I agree with Splitz.........

and, if the gun was indeed engraved by Mr. Evans then by all means round up a steel Ejector Housing and have him "finish the job" :D

No matter, in any case it is one of the finest engraved Rugers I've ever seen.

JMHO,

flatgate

 

[BADSBSNF81]

http://engravingforum.com/

Post your pics here. Someone might be able to help.

You might also try Jim Alaimo at http://nutmegsports.com/

 

[SteveRuger]

Wayne,
I may have one of his also! Ask Dave how & were he signs them.
Sorry Getting Old!

 

[Heliman]

Wayne,
I may have one of his also! Ask Bob how & were he signs them.

Did you mean Dave? I will ask him nonetheless and let you know.........

Dave

 

[Heliman]

Well, today I met with master gun engraver Mr. Bob Evans. What a nice guy he is! He is in his mid-80's and was at his engraving bench working on a Ruger #1 receiver. He was very interested in the SBH and offered some opinions and evaluations.

The engraving itself is common German scroll and was done with a hammer and chisel common to the 60's. It is not spectacular and not shoddy, just good hand enraving. In his opinion the gold inlay is exceptional. He was most enthused about the silver wolf inlay on the top strap. He thought the scrimshawed grips were very nice, but probably done separate of the revolver. As regards to a lack of engraver's signature he said that signing is a more recent practice, not that common in the 60's.

I asked him how much he would charge to do the work today. He said that since he is a part-timer nowadays, that he would charge approximately $10,000 for the work and would take him about 3 months @ 6 hours a day to accomplish. When asked what it should be insured for, he said a minimum of $10,000. He had an opinion on retail value, but I won't post it here. In his opinion, it could sell to the right person for quite a chunk!

As to the identity of the engraver, he said it probably could be narrowed down to about a dozen engravers active in the 60's. White and Agee came to his mind. He is going to do some further investigating as will I........

As to how he signs his work, it is generally on the side of the trigger guard adjacent to the trigger and would be viewed from the bottom. I saw several examples.

More to come........ Dave

 

[flatgate]

Image Added for Steve Ruger!

 

[Cholo]

What a great story about an incredible find! I'll never have a gun engraved, but if I saw that one it would be mine not yours. Keep us updated! You must be floating on a cloud right now; you deserve it...

PS: How does it shoot?

:wink: