Does anyone know of a gun engraver who signs his/her name: "J West"? I think he does great work and would like to know something about him.
Thanks.
H1

any pictures ? What type of gun is the engraving on ?

Here are two pics of the Model 12. I'm not the best photographer and close ups are especially tough. The flash makes it look lighter. Hope you can see them.

A tiny bit to go on. Look under President's Collection Knives.

http://militarycarryknives.com/Knives.htm

Post your pics and pose your question on the Winchester Forum of shotgunworld.com. Hopefully, Pauline Muerrle a former Winchester engraver, will respond with the info you're looking for.
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=60

Wow! Beautiful Model 12! You know a guy never knows where his guns have been. I certainly can't tell you who J. West is/was, but I have seen a Model 12 with that pattern on it here in Minnesota maybe 10 or 12 years ago. Same gun? Who knows.

As for J. West, you might try posting the inquiry to one of the following places on the internet.

FEGA.com (Firearms Engravers Guild of America)

Engraverscafe.com (There is also a forum on this site)

Engravingforum.com (The name says it all)

Hunter 1,

I usually answer the "who done it" questions on the three forums mentioned. Unfortunatly I am not familiar with any engraver named J.West other than on the Gerber link.

The pattern of engraving on your gun is factory 12-5. In the early years of my career I engraved many 12-5 patterns on model 12s including the one that won the 1978 Grand American Handicap in the hands of Jim Edwards (who says engraving doesn't make a gun shoot better). In the 1960s and 70s the 12-5 patterns kept bread on the tables of many occupational engravers.

Regards,
Roger

how bout J. Vest looks like his work mc

Here is what Pauline said about it:

"Nice engraving. I am not familiar with J. West but again a very nice job."
Pauline

Could be John Vest but the picture is too small for me to tell. If I could see a close up of just a few scrolls I would have a better chance of being able to tell. Vest was featured in my first book from 1980.

RB

What were the rules Roger? I've seen a number of 12-5s - ranging from really pretty to not-so-much. I always wondered about the pattern name too, since there's consistantly only 4 birds (ejector side)on the model 12's 12-5 engraving.

HG,
I think it was a "Grade 5" pattern based on being the fifth highest pattern, not on bird count.

I reckon you're 110% right Chuck - although grade2 and grade3 have, 2 and 3 birds, respectively.

Hey, I often call walking around with a gun and dog "hunting" even if I don't bag anything. Emphasis on "often".

I've scrutinized the signature with a magnifying glass and it sure looks like a very shallow "W" for the last name.

Who is J. Vest???

Thank you.

John Vest, engraver, stockmaker and perhaps metalsmith. He used to teach in the gunsmithing school, Susanville, CA if memory serves. A very nice fellow whom I haven't seen in some years.

RB, I would be happy to send you a photo on email if you think that would provide you a better perspective of the engraving. The signature is clearly visible in a good picture.

My guess is Jack West. Jack lives in oregon and makes plastic stocks for some trap guns. Before that he was in the adjustable comb business. He made stocks and did checkering earlier on. It seems I remember him playing with engraving in the 70's and early 80's. But quite as he felt it took to long to get the results he wanted and wasn't willing to do that as he had a family and a job. He is a great guy. Google him and give him a call. You may indeed have a rare and nice piece of work. On the other hand I may be wrong but its worth a shot.
Regards
John McClure

John Mc,
I did Google Mr West and have his phone number. I will call him. As I am also in Oregon and it would be so interesting if he did, in fact, engrave this gun.

Thanks for taking the time to provide this lead. I'll let you know.

Hunter 1,

The last I knew, John Vest was located in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

As to the signature, it could be either a V or W. Some engravers (like many Belgians) use a punch and it is easy to get a double strike that would make a V look like a W.

PM sent.

BTW, Chuck H is correct about the 12-5 simply being the fifth pattern. no relation to the number of animals.

Roger

Everyone needs to buy a copy of Mr.Bleile's book on 21st century engraving and be prepared to be "blown away." I just bought a copy and the standard for engravers has really risen in the last 30 years or so."Incredible" is a word that hardly describes some of the work shown.

Thanks for the endorsement Bob. It's always good to hear that one's work is appreciated.

Roger

Still searching for the engraver. Found two leads to possible master.

Appreciate all the help.