2039

Engraved Gold Inlaid North American Big Game Special Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum Double Action Revolve

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:0.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 12,000.00 USD
Engraved Gold Inlaid North American Big Game Special Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum Double Action Revolve
This magnificent revolver is profusely embellished with masterful floral scroll and 24-karat relief gold inlays executed in sculpted relief, done by former S&W and Winchester Master Engraver Siegfried Rentschke and fitted with two piece carved and engraved ivory grips by Carl Bock. The revolver features full coverage of floral scroll engraving with feather pattern border embellishments. The barrel features flush 24-karat gold scroll motif inlays surrounding "SMITH & WESSON" on the left side and "S&W .357 MAGNUM" on the right side. The muzzle has two gold inlaid bands. The cylinder features gold inlaid wire bordering around the flutes and a band around the rear. The 24-karat relief inlays consist of the an American buffalo head on the left front upper portion of the frame, a cougar on the crane and a Grizzly bear below the cylinder release. The right side has a running White Tail deer on the side plate, a fox on the lower right side, a Bighorn Sheep on the upper front and a wolf directly below it. Flush gold inlaid scroll motifs decorate the frame sides with gold wire bordering. The scroll style is similar to and undoubtedly inspired by Rudolph J. Kornbrath. The target style, elephant ivory grips feature exquisite scroll and border engraving with a thumb rest cutout on the left panel with a scroll engraved panel and a relief carved Grizzly bear and foliage scene on the right panel. There is a decorative rosette surrounding the grip screw holes and silver S&W medallions. The revolver is accompanied by a letter from author and fire arms expert R.L. Wilson detailing the revolver and his estimate to duplicate such a revolver. Wilson concludes "The writer regards The North American Big Game Special as a major Smith & Wesson embellishment revolver" and "The North American Big Game Special Smith & Wesson is an important example of contemporary embellishment, worthy of the finest private or museum collection."
BBL: 5 inch solid rib
Stock:
Gauge: 357 magnum
Finish: blue/gold
Grips: ivory
Serial Number: 173182
Condition: Near new with only the slightest handling marks overall. The hole for the screw on the right grip panel is not threaded so the grip screw will not secure, otherwise the grips are excellent. A must for the serious Smith & Wesson collector.