doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com interesting engravings

Back in the early 1990's I saw a copy of SS that had a cover article about a set of H&H guns that were being engraved with mythological beasts and gods.
I believe one gun was complete and they had the drawings for the others. I'd have to check but it was probably Grifnee's work. It's what sparked my interest in fine guns. Back then I was naive enough to think I may get one someday, but I can still hope..

That Grifnee engraved .375 is a little light for dragons. I'd go with either a .470 or something heavier.

That's an absolutely spectacular gun, even so.

Tinker, it's obvious that you are an engraver, are you a member of FEGA? I have had the pleasure of meeting Grifnee a couple of times at the joint Guild show in Reno. Have admired his work for a long time but that particular theme of the H&H could be considered one of the best of this era. There are several others with archaic themes by Grifnee in Best of H&H book that I enjoy. Particularly a 20 ga. O/U with this style in relief.
Are you aquainted with Monte Mandarino's work?
Let's see some of your work?
(Noticed you caught the French gun on the double gun side.)
(Rem40, be sure to hang on tight to the .470!)

Tinker,
I believe the Grifnee engraved Holland is Grifnee's take on an earlier Holland theme. It is purported that Holland commissioned possibly Kell or one of their other engravers at the turn of the century to come up with a theme not using animal life for their muslim clientele ( Nizams and Nawabs) who objected to animal life being "recreated" on their firearms. Evidently mythical life forms were ok. I have seen a number of Holland rifles engraved by various artists with this theme. Here is one done in the 30's in the Kell studios.

There is a Gun Digest article (I apologize, but I can't remember the year/issue) on a dragon-themed H&H engraving pattern. The photos were spectacular. I believe it might have been done in tandem with a .600 or .700 Nitro Express DR which H&H built. I'd offer to try to find the article, but every time I go looking for something in the Gun Digest library I end up losing half a day because I keep finding things I want to read. That used to be one heck of an annual, particularly during the years John Amber edited it.

I remember an article on the .700 Nitro H&H. I believe it was in an Guns&Ammo Annual....."The Gargoyles of Bruton Street" er sumpin like that.

Mr H-

I am not yet a member of any guild or firearms/engraving organization.
Out of respect for the fine craftsmen doing some of the work seen around here, I’ll refrain from calling myself an engraver in the context of this thread.

Let’s just say I’m on the way and enthusiastically enjoying the ride.

Until I feel I have a somewhat concerted element of style to offer, I'll be keeping my steel work to myself unless I‘m specifically looking for direct toutelage.
I still have some of the copper practice plates from my first class, and I think I have an example of one of the critters off the gun in the photos above. We did simple lift/reproduce exercises and I thought one of the little monsters would be fun. I’ll dig it up and post it here to the thread.

Getting the necessary Govt clearance to do gun engraving here in Downtown Oakland will be tricky if at all possible. That's where I'll focus my efforts anyway, and with persistence and luck I might actually end up with the proper class of FFL needed to run according to legal standards.

Until then most of my time-in-metalcraft is focused on keeping the mortgage paid and the overhead covered for the family. That's quite a scramble these days! Still, I'm getting closer to the once-a-day at the graver's block that the old men suggest I strive for while I'm getting my style and skills sorted.



Cheers
Tinker

Tinker, I highly recommend a visit to the Firearms Engravers and Gunmakers Exhibition in Reno next Jan. A short piece from Oakland.
Best,
Steve

TINKER ----- If I can be of any help, please feel free to call/email at any time. Best regards, Ken

PM-

Is that H&H here in California?
That quilt looks familiar, possibly seen it along with some old 'paradox' and bore-rifles?


Ken-

Thanks for the reminder, I miss the Saturday morning phone-calls.
Since then my family has grown a bit, and now my daughter and her little brother will soon be turning 4 and 2 years old at the end of next month!
Time flies. Still I get time to scratch tin. I really want to get into a focused brit scroll exercise regiment, and I've been spending more time with steel instead of copper practice plates.



Cheers
Tinker