Recent content by MikieDu

  1. MikieDu

    2019 Grandmasters

    Thanks folks - Sam and I are dedicated to producing the best GRS Grand Masters ever! For those who don't know, I am heavily invested in the Grand Masters Programs, having attended five myself....starting with Winston Churchill and Ron Smith. My skills as an engraver are a direct result of...
  2. MikieDu

    Announcement: NEW LED Diffused Ring Light. No more glare, distracting hotspots and streaks of light

    Thanks, Leonardo - please send purchase information
  3. MikieDu

    FEGA

    I agree - a few days at FEGA with fellow engravers is just what you need to start learning....nothing like it anywhere!
  4. MikieDu

    SCI 2019 Auction Rifle, "Elk Fight"

    I'm using a LEICA A60 with a GRS Acrobat Stand
  5. MikieDu

    SCI 2019 Auction Rifle, "Elk Fight"

    Five years ago John Bolliger and I initiated the Safari International Rifle Series Project with SCI #1, The African Continent. There have been three other great rifles produced and sold at SCI auctions since then. For 2019 John and I are producing the final gun of the Series - "The North...
  6. MikieDu

    The Robert E. Lee Colt

    Yes, the brass cut very clean, even though it was a bit brittle. I stripped the original silver off, then engraved, and then had the grip frame and trigger guard gold plated.
  7. MikieDu

    The Robert E. Lee Colt

    Ken Van Dyne (Jump Yankee Studio, Cincinnati, O)H) just finished the photography - here is a sample composition.
  8. MikieDu

    Question for those with experience.

    That looks to be a good Gen 1 candidate for engraving. It appears that it has already suffered through one or more overzealous polishings prior to plating...the corners and edges have been rounded and the screw holes are blurred. The edges between the frame, trigger guard and backstrap no...
  9. MikieDu

    Question for those with experience.

    Jerrwh: I placed my Colt 1851 Navy cylinder in my lathe to remove the stamped images - as you suggested, I only had to turn off about .010" to remove 95% of the marks. The remaining few marks were lost in my scrollwork and inlay. Heat treating to remove the color case should be no problem for...
  10. MikieDu

    Question for those with experience.

    Yes, all Colt SAA Revolvers (unless they are nickel plated) have case hardened frames...even most of the black powder series. The case must be removed for engraving and most gunsmiths can do that for you. It is a process of heating/annealing the frame followed by cleanup and polishing.
  11. MikieDu

    Question for those with experience.

    I agree with all the points Roger made above. I just finished a 2nd Generation Black Powder Model 61 - the Robert E. Lee was one of the most lavishly decorated Colts I have ever engraved. In regard to history and value, I try to stay away from1st Generation Colts. Those have intrinsic and...
  12. MikieDu

    The Robert E. Lee Colt

    I've been working on this Robert E.Lee Colt for some time now and it's coming together in its final form. The engraving work is finished and it will go out tomorrow for bluing and assembly by John Powers. These are shop photos of the gun loosely assembled to show some of the detail. The gun is...
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