Would anyone know an engraver with the initials "P.A.H."? I recently bought an Ithaca Model 37 engraved with a similar no.1 pattern of the early 1970's offered by Ithaca. I am trying to determine if the gun was factory engraved or privately engraved. The Ithaca co. has recently started doing business once again but doesn't trace the history of guns by serial numbers like the previous Ithaca co.. Any info anyone has would be appreciated.

Robert Sziemkiewicz
12/4/2006 9:49:49 PM

Hi,
I knew an engraver named Paul Harris. I'm not sure he is the engraver you are inquiring about but the initials are pretty close (not sure about the middle initial). The Paul Harris I knew was from around San Antonio Texas and was in that locale for some time. His dad was a Baptist pastor & was the principal at the private school I attended. Pauls dad Buford Harris became aquainted with my dad & would visit him when he (my dad) worked with Frank Hendricks inthe late '60's. Pauls father became interested in engraving and learned the art at Hendricks' shop in San Antonio (with the help of Frank & my dad). Paul (somewhat older than I am) must have learned initially from his dad & then from Hendricks as well. This would have been in the early to mid '70's. I know that Paul Harris did quite a bit of work for Kleinguenther in the early days when it was operated by Mr. Kleinguenther in Seguin (before KDF). I do not know where Paul Harris is now but I believe he moved away from the San Antonio area some time back. I did a google search & found nothing.
Weldon

Weldon Lister
12/5/2006 12:11:59 PM

Hello Weldon,
Thank you for the response. It is a start. I am not an expert in evaluating engraving, but I am quite happy the engraving on this gun. If it was your old friend Paul, he did an excellent job. Possible over time I will find and post a response if I do.
Thanks once again,
Robert

Robert Sziemkiewicz
12/5/2006 6:15:21 PM