American Arms

[wowilson]

Hello, here's a pistol that I just showed at the FEGA convention in Las Vegas. It is an American Arms, swivel breech derringer in .32 and .22 over and under. I have included some before pics so you could see the condition it was in when I bought it. Not too bad for something 150 years old but when i saw those flat sides I knew I had to engrave it. So, lots of elbow grease later here is the final product.
The style is my version of what I have seen on some Pedretti engraved shotguns. I combined that with an "Participating" Border and added some shadowing to try and get a little depth. This is a style I have been developing for a few years and was proud to show it on my table this year.
Weldon Lister did the nickel plating and MD Grips made my custom stag grips.
This was a fun project, and I am on the hunt for another one of these pistols, so that I can try it again. Thank you for looking.

 

[oniemarc]

It is truly a thing of beauty....but I am a sucker for Derringers. Actually love the patina in the picture when you just got the gun too.

And erm...once again, congrats on the Master certificate, well earned with work like this.

Marc

 

[SamW]

Excellent...and congrats on the Master status. I assume that is electroless nickel plating?

I have used that a number of times and find it an excellent finish for fine engraving!

 

[wowilson]

It is truly a thing of beauty....but I am a sucker for Derringers. Actually love the patina in the picture when you just got the gun too.

And erm...once again, congrats on the Master certificate, well earned with work like this.

Marc

Thanks Marc! This one will patina again. The barrels tried to rust while I was working on them. Had to keep them slathered in oil.

 

[wowilson]

Excellent...and congrats on the Master status. I assume that is electroless nickel plating?

I have used that a number of times and find it an excellent finish for fine engraving!

Thank you, Sam! You were definitely missed at the show. I personally heard four or five people say so. Regarding the nickel, I really don't know. It didn't even occur to me to ask how he did it. I guess I assumed that it was done with solutions and anodes and all that, but I could certainly be wrong. I will look into it. I can say that Weldon did an awesome job and I think it suits the work nicely.

 

[John B.]

Very nicely done, some really fine ribbon work.
And the nickel plating tied it all together..

 

[oniemarc]

Thanks Marc! This one will patina again. The barrels tried to rust while I was working on them. Had to keep them slathered in oil.

That would be a real shame...no solutions for the rusting?

 

[wowilson]

Very nicely done, some really fine ribbon work.
And the nickel plating tied it all together..

Thank so much, John. You were missed too. I had been looking forward to picking your brain on a few things.

 

[wowilson]

That would be a real shame...no solutions for the rusting?

Rust never sleeps. I don't know how this nickel will hold up, but I assume it will last and look good for a long time, particularly because the gun will not see use of any kind.

 

[monk]

a true beauty to my eye.

 

[wowilson]

a true beauty to my eye.

Thank a lot!

 

[AJB]

Beautiful engraving!

This is a link to tests of rust prevention products that might be of interest: https://www.shootersforum.com/threads/results-of-gun-care-product-evaluation.91566/

 

[thughes]

Awesome Wade, and congrats!

Todd

 

[wowilson]

Awesome Wade, and congrats!

Todd

Thanks, bud.