Fine American Engraved Shotgun

longranger · July 8, 2010, 08:30 AM

I have for a long time admired finely engraved guns,have been learning engraving over the past 4 years.It will be some time before I reach this mans level.A fine study in English scrolls and exquisite bulino and gold inlay,the Eagle is unbelievable.We have some of the finest engravers in the world in our own backyard,they will compete with any of the Italian,German or French engravers,it is anything but a lost art,enjoy.
It has been said that engravers are the only artist that emcompass' the "heart,head and hands" few if any art forms require such dedication.

http://www.igraver.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7798

zippy13 · July 8, 2010, 11:27 AM

I'm amazed by the portrait work of some engravers. The one of Ryder is fantastic.

BigJimP · July 8, 2010, 12:14 PM

Very nicely done ....

It was a pleasure to see some of the work ...and I agree, the Eagle is very well done.

Waterengineer · July 8, 2010, 12:18 PM

Stunning. What else to say.....nothing.

ScottRiqui · July 8, 2010, 12:25 PM

Not to take away from the artist's work (which is absolutely amazing), but am I the only one who's not a fan of photo-realistic portraiture and hunting/wildlife scenes on engraved guns?

Maybe it's the difference in resolution/fidelity between the scrollwork and the photo-realistic portions of the engraving, but I would have loved that shotgun just as much (if not more) without the portrait.

oneounceload · July 8, 2010, 01:45 PM

Typically, the "photo-realistic" work is done by the Bulino method, whereby the artist uses a tool called a bulino to make indentations in the metal. A detailed work can encompass over a million strikes with the tool. Like case coloring, however, they can also wear down and fade over time........but they sure are pretty.............look up Spielberg's Fabbris with the Jurassic Park engravings......

BigJimP · July 8, 2010, 02:24 PM

For what its worth / I wouldn't want a portrait either ......

kodiakbeer · July 8, 2010, 02:34 PM

Beautiful work, but the eagles and dragons and portraits take it from the realm of art into the realm of... gaudy. There's a reason Da Vinci didn't add a screaming eagle into the background of the Mona Lisa.

zippy13 · July 8, 2010, 07:47 PM

I wouldn't want a portrait, either; but, I'm awed by the craftsmanship. Makes me wonder if these guys are making plates for counterfeiting money in their spare time.

PJR · July 9, 2010, 06:23 AM

There are many fine engravers in the United States. The man who did this gun is not one of them. Phil Coggan is Welsh and lives in Wales.

The gun is British too.

July 8, 2010, 08:30 AM	#1
longranger Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2008 Location: Buffalo WY Posts: 1,056	Fine American Engraved Shotgun I have for a long time admired finely engraved guns,have been learning engraving over the past 4 years.It will be some time before I reach this mans level.A fine study in English scrolls and exquisite bulino and gold inlay,the Eagle is unbelievable.We have some of the finest engravers in the world in our own backyard,they will compete with any of the Italian,German or French engravers,it is anything but a lost art,enjoy. It has been said that engravers are the only artist that emcompass' the "heart,head and hands" few if any art forms require such dedication. http://www.igraver.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7798

July 8, 2010, 12:25 PM	#5
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	Not to take away from the artist's work (which is absolutely amazing), but am I the only one who's not a fan of photo-realistic portraiture and hunting/wildlife scenes on engraved guns? Maybe it's the difference in resolution/fidelity between the scrollwork and the photo-realistic portions of the engraving, but I would have loved that shotgun just as much (if not more) without the portrait. Last edited by ScottRiqui; July 8, 2010 at 02:10 PM.

July 8, 2010, 11:27 AM	#2
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	I'm amazed by the portrait work of some engravers. The one of Ryder is fantastic.

July 8, 2010, 12:14 PM	#3
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Very nicely done .... It was a pleasure to see some of the work ...and I agree, the Eagle is very well done.

July 8, 2010, 12:18 PM	#4
Waterengineer Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Location: Aurora, CO and Palm Beach, FL Posts: 863	Stunning. What else to say.....nothing.

July 8, 2010, 01:45 PM	#6
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Typically, the "photo-realistic" work is done by the Bulino method, whereby the artist uses a tool called a bulino to make indentations in the metal. A detailed work can encompass over a million strikes with the tool. Like case coloring, however, they can also wear down and fade over time........but they sure are pretty.............look up Spielberg's Fabbris with the Jurassic Park engravings......

July 8, 2010, 02:24 PM	#7
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	For what its worth / I wouldn't want a portrait either ......

July 8, 2010, 02:34 PM	#8
kodiakbeer Junior member Join Date: April 10, 2010 Location: Kodiak, Alaska Posts: 791	Beautiful work, but the eagles and dragons and portraits take it from the realm of art into the realm of... gaudy. There's a reason Da Vinci didn't add a screaming eagle into the background of the Mona Lisa.

July 8, 2010, 07:47 PM	#9
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	I wouldn't want a portrait, either; but, I'm awed by the craftsmanship. Makes me wonder if these guys are making plates for counterfeiting money in their spare time.

July 9, 2010, 06:23 AM	#10
PJR Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2000 Posts: 1,127	There are many fine engravers in the United States. The man who did this gun is not one of them. Phil Coggan is Welsh and lives in Wales. The gun is British too.