Weldon47
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Here's serial number one of the Colt Texas Ranger Commemorative series originally released in the late 1960's.
In 1968 when I was a little kid my dad went to work for Frank Hendricks in San Antonio. It was because Hendricks had the engraving contract on these Ranger guns that he had the pressing need for an extra engraver & so my dad was hired. Dad worked for Frank until the mid '70's when he left and set up his own shop. Later in 1979 I began my engraving apprenticeship under may dad's direction & subsequently we worked together for the next 26 years.
Back to the Colt: Of this series of 1000 specially serial numbered guns, the first 200 were delivered to Hendricks from Colt in the white prepped for engraving. Of that 200, my dad personally engraved 136.
Three grades of engraving were offered (listed as grade I, II or, III).
While grade I guns were intended to be completely custom, allowing the client maximum input into the design of the gun, grades II and III were offered with standard patterns of embellishment (grade III having the least amount of coverage and, grade II being more robust and therefore, the nicest standard offering).
The majority of the 200 were grades II & III with only a small number of grade I having been done.
Thanks to a great client I had the opportunity to select the embellishment on this most special piece choosing a style and amount of coverage that will definitely place it as a grade I and also remain true to the style and theme of engraving originally chosen for this special run of Colts!
Hope you enjoy,
Weldon
I've also attached two concept drawings Frank did in 1969 detailing the level of embellishment on grades II & III
In 1968 when I was a little kid my dad went to work for Frank Hendricks in San Antonio. It was because Hendricks had the engraving contract on these Ranger guns that he had the pressing need for an extra engraver & so my dad was hired. Dad worked for Frank until the mid '70's when he left and set up his own shop. Later in 1979 I began my engraving apprenticeship under may dad's direction & subsequently we worked together for the next 26 years.
Back to the Colt: Of this series of 1000 specially serial numbered guns, the first 200 were delivered to Hendricks from Colt in the white prepped for engraving. Of that 200, my dad personally engraved 136.
Three grades of engraving were offered (listed as grade I, II or, III).
While grade I guns were intended to be completely custom, allowing the client maximum input into the design of the gun, grades II and III were offered with standard patterns of embellishment (grade III having the least amount of coverage and, grade II being more robust and therefore, the nicest standard offering).
The majority of the 200 were grades II & III with only a small number of grade I having been done.
Thanks to a great client I had the opportunity to select the embellishment on this most special piece choosing a style and amount of coverage that will definitely place it as a grade I and also remain true to the style and theme of engraving originally chosen for this special run of Colts!
Hope you enjoy,
Weldon
I've also attached two concept drawings Frank did in 1969 detailing the level of embellishment on grades II & III