Who engraved this gun?

I have a Smith&Wesson 44 Magnum dating to 1955 or 1956 that was heavily engraved after delivery. The information on who engraved it is scanty...there is no paper trail. One rumor has it that it was owned by a General who returned it to the S&W factory after purchase for engraving. But, as I understand it, S&W does not engrave over its logo, nor over other stamped info on the frame and on the barrel. This gun is heavily engraved....floral pattern and the heads of 4 different animals (two on each side). The S&W logo is engtaved over as well as other info stamped into the gun metal.

Most engravers sign their work somewhere on the gun... but I could find no initials or name anywhere. There is however an unusual design on the rib(?) ... please see the photo... this design had one collector give me the opinion that it may be the work of Alvin White. Another told me that it looked like the work of a European such as Josef Fuger.

If anyone can offer me opinions on who the engrave could be, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thomas Deak
4/17/2008 10:00:49 AM

Another photo:

Thomas Deak
4/17/2008 10:17:11 PM

Photo 3:

Thomas Deak
4/17/2008 10:19:33 PM

Photo 4:

Thomas Deak
4/17/2008 10:19:59 PM

Photo 5:

Thomas Deak
4/17/2008 10:20:23 PM

Photo 6:

Thomas Deak
4/17/2008 10:20:50 PM

Usually guns of this era were done in Japan or Korea and had this type of coverage however they weren't usually done this well. This job looks like a "schooled" engraver that did it but I don't think it was either Kornbrath or White. If I were to guess, I would think the "General" probably had it engraved somewhere in Europe. It could have been engraved at the factory but it was common for military personnel to get engraving done on personal firearms in other countries back then.

Rex Pedersen
4/18/2008 9:56:52 AM

Hi Rex and Thomas,
The gun looks well done with the general look of a gun done with H&C and a lot like the work done in post WW2 Japan.
But just a guess, of course.
A strange thing is the lack of shading cuts on the leaves.
The engraver knew what they were doing so this is even stranger.
Was it the way the customer wanted it?
Or was the gun not quite finished when it was picked up?
There are a few places that look like they could have stood a little recutting after the background punching.
Interesting piece. John.

John Barraclough
4/18/2008 1:41:04 PM