Roger Bleile
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Yesterday, I was informed of the death of author and historian, R. L. "Larry" Wilson, on Saturday evening, December 10. This news hit me like a thunderbolt. In fact I had to digest it for a day before I could write this notice.
For those in the gun engraving and collecting world, Larry needs no introduction. He was undoubtedly the most prolific author of firearms related books in history. His significance to gun engravers is that his books form the foundation of our individual libraries. Personally, my book shelves are filled with Wilson books, the first of which was L. D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver. His beautifully illustrated volumes include several books on Colt and Winchester engraving.
Aside from Larry's books directly referencing gun engraving, all of his books featured a heavy assortment of engraved guns, knives, and accessories. When you hear someone refer to a particular gun as an engraver's "canvas," it is a reference to his widely read book Steel Canvas.
It is my personal opinion that Larry's literary work is directly responsible for much of the work that American gun engravers have today due to his widespread and tireless promotion of the need for collectors and shooters to have engraved guns as as part of their battery.
I have known Larry for many years. When my first book was published in 1980, I had some concern that Larry might feel that I was "poaching" in his territory. On the contrary, Larry was very complimentary and encouraging. In fact, for my second book, Larry was invited to contribute a chapter on American engraving that eloquently enhanced that edition.
I could go for many paragraphs about Larry Wilson's contributions and importance to the world of hand engraving but I will close for now by saying that it is hard for me to accept that there will be no more Wilson books forthcoming.
Requiescat in pace, Larry Wilson.
For those in the gun engraving and collecting world, Larry needs no introduction. He was undoubtedly the most prolific author of firearms related books in history. His significance to gun engravers is that his books form the foundation of our individual libraries. Personally, my book shelves are filled with Wilson books, the first of which was L. D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver. His beautifully illustrated volumes include several books on Colt and Winchester engraving.
Aside from Larry's books directly referencing gun engraving, all of his books featured a heavy assortment of engraved guns, knives, and accessories. When you hear someone refer to a particular gun as an engraver's "canvas," it is a reference to his widely read book Steel Canvas.
It is my personal opinion that Larry's literary work is directly responsible for much of the work that American gun engravers have today due to his widespread and tireless promotion of the need for collectors and shooters to have engraved guns as as part of their battery.
I have known Larry for many years. When my first book was published in 1980, I had some concern that Larry might feel that I was "poaching" in his territory. On the contrary, Larry was very complimentary and encouraging. In fact, for my second book, Larry was invited to contribute a chapter on American engraving that eloquently enhanced that edition.
I could go for many paragraphs about Larry Wilson's contributions and importance to the world of hand engraving but I will close for now by saying that it is hard for me to accept that there will be no more Wilson books forthcoming.
Requiescat in pace, Larry Wilson.
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