Question: Who is Joseph Condon?

[mdengraver]

Hi Everyone, I own a 1885 colt SSA that Joe engraved, its a very elegant piece. Its always been a west coast gun as originally shipped to the Browning brothers in Utah from colt. Blued finish with gold inlays and scrolling all over, plus gold inlays of dice, card hands Ace and jack, Buffalo head, and horns. I would love to find out who this gun was for? as most of his work was celebrities. Does anyone have Joes log books or records?

Please post some pics!

 

[Crazy Horse]

Do any of you folks own a camera? ;~) Would love to see some close up shots.

 

[papart1]

very cool stuff here

 

[Roger Bleile]

As far as I have been able to determine, nobody knows the whereabouts of Condon's records. Since his shop was in a gun shop called The Sportsman's Den, his records may only show that any particular gun was logged in and out from The Sportsman's Den. The Sportsman's Den records may show who a gun was sold to. In fact since Condon's shop was in a gun shop, he may not have had his own FFL but worked under the shop's FFL.

As far as I know, The Sportsman's Den in Vegas is long gone. Whenever they closed out their business their records should have been sent to the ATF. Good luck getting any information from them.

 

[Rodger Connor]

Hopefully these pictures come through. It’s a Sako L461 in 17-222 O’Brien Magnum by Joseph Condon

 

[Rodger Connor]

I’ll add more pictures, the most beautiful engraving I’ve ever seen. I have examples of Angelo Bee, Kusmit, and Jose Baerten and this tops them all!

 

[Rodger Connor]

More views of Condon’s rifle

 

[Rodger Connor]

More of my Condon rifle

 

[Rodger Connor]

Still trying to send coyote tracks on underside of barrel

 

[Goldjockey]

Not surprised to learn Joe was Italian...

 

[Rodger Connor]

This is the other side, he even inlaid gold images on the scope caps. all gold images are the real deal, raised gold, gold wire, only the coyote tracks appear painted on.

 

[Brian Hochstrat]

A good illustration of how much engraving classes and information sharing has elevated the art of engraving in the past decade or so.

 

[dortega702]

I have something very rare from Joe Condon. From what I was told Joe Condon had engraved couple knives and I happen to have 2 of them. there was supposedly 4 total. The name "CONDON" is clearly engraved near the handle. I have 1 Damascus and 1 that was made from a chevy leaf spring.

 

[dortega702]

here's 2 rare engravings from Joe

 

[Goldjockey]

Name looks laser engraved rather than hand engraved. Beyond that, I don‘t see any engraving. Beautiful knives. is there engraving elsewhere?

 

[Frank P]

I’ll add more pictures, the most beautiful engraving I’ve ever seen. I have examples of Angelo Bee, Kusmit, and Jose Baerten and this tops them all! View attachment 45561 View attachment 45561 View attachment 45561 View attachment 45561 View attachment 45562 View attachment 45563 View attachment 45564 View attachment 45562 View attachment 45564

with all respect for Mr Condon, and no idea of the time he had to finish this job.... but your statement that this tops Mr Baerten s work, is really pulled by the hair, (BS) maybe time to get some glasses ;-)

 

[Wickedtactical]

I recently ran across a nicely engraved gun signed "CONDON". I have searched the net and found limited information. Understand this is the work of Joseph Condon, and that he was titled "engravers to the stars". Does anyone have first hand information on who is Joseph Condon? Thanks for any information and/or stories.

Yes I knew Joe Condon. Joseph Condon was a Master gun engraver and an accomplished magician. He lived in Las Vegas Nevada on Russell Road. He had a wife named Pat, two daughters Laurie and Laura, Three Sons Joe Jr Chris and Mark. I watched Joe Condon engrave many guns including my father's Winchester model 1912 shotgun collection.

 

[Rodger Connor]

with all respect for Mr Condon, and no idea of the time he had to finish this job.... but your statement that this tops Mr Baerten s work, is really pulled by the hair, (BS) maybe time to get some glasses ;-)

No, actually my vision is quite good. The specimen I have of Baerten’s is a Browning Superposed P2, 28 ga. It’s nice engraving in my opinion, but the Condon engraving is more appealing to me. It’s like picking up a gal in a bar....beauty is in the eye of the “beer” holder!

 

[dragonquest]

Yes I knew Joe Condon. Joseph Condon was a Master gun engraver and an accomplished magician. He lived in Las Vegas Nevada on Russell Road. He had a wife named Pat, two daughters Laurie and Laura, Three Sons Joe Jr Chris and Mark. I watched Joe Condon engrave many guns including my father's Winchester model 1912 shotgun collection.

Close, but no cigar. Joe’s sons were Mark, Chris, and Darren. He had another, Joe, jr. that he did not raise. Daughters were Cheryl and Lauren. Joe was my father’s brother. You did get his second wife’s name (Pat) right.

 

[JJ Roberts]

I never know who going to show up at my table at a gun show met some very interesting people over the years who became students or good friends. J.J.