Colt western art single action

[Weldon47]

Here is a Colt I just finished. This project has taken quite a while to complete but I believe the results are worth the effort involved. The client gave me carte blanche so, I came up with western art as the theme and within that genre specifically, Indians, horses & buffaloes. For inspiration I used paintings and sculptures by Remington, Russell, Henry Merwin Schrady (late 19th & early 20th century) and additionally, Frank McCarty, now deceased. The late Frank Hendricks was also an influence on the right panel scene depicting Remington's "The Buffalo Hunt" (though I reversed the image to better fit the area). McCarty's version of the buffalo hunt is on the left panel. (As I say, these works and artists were the inspiration for the project, not necessarily material to directly copy from.)
To perform the work I made use of the following techniques: Inlay, overlay, (both raised & flush) scroll engraving, sculpted steel scroll work and yes, steel inlay (where I filled the screw holes on the left side of the frame and got rid of some writing on the barrel. Felt like there was enough there already!) I used 24k gold, 14k yellow gold, 14k rose gold, sliver and copper (the Indians lance on the right panel scene is copper). The spear point on the ejector rod housing and the horse on the loading gate are both 14 rose gold.
The finish is a carefully applied French grey which I believe shows the engraving off considerably better than blue. (Although gold against blue always looks very elegant!)

This is what happens when you give me "carte blanche"!!!

hope you enjoy,

Weldon

I am already considering a companion gun! (Wow, I am nuts!!!)

 

[bitmaker]

You guys are amazing!
Jim

 

[mcrapo]

Weldon

It is a absolutely beautiful work of art you have created. I love it!!! The owner should be ecstatic with it.

I have a few of questions/requests if you don't mind.
1 - Did you have any problems with the copper inlay when you did the French Greying?
2 - Who did the French Greying for you? or did you do it? If you did it, can you please give a detailed explanation on how you did it.
3 - Would you please post a photo of the back strap and top view? I would love to see them.
4 - Inlaying the steel in the lettering, did you do it for each letter or cut through all the letters in a line and inlay that?

Thank you so much for posting it. I hope to do work that looks this good one day. But it will take a long time to get that good.

Mike

 

[Steve223]

Weldon that is outstanding,beautiful work!!! I would give my eye teeath and intrest in h#@ to own that one!! Thanks for sharin and is it all right if i put these pics in my colliction?

 

[Peter E]

Definitely has the WOW factor.

Well done Weldon...hmmm seems like your name was chosen wisely!

Peter

 

[Doc Mark]

Weldon,

All I can say is WOW!!!!! Fabulous design and execution! This is the type of work that I hold as my ultimate goal. A wheel gun done with grace and consumate skill. Love the French Grey, what technique did you use? As much as I enjoy scrimshaw, I like the pristine ivory grips without embellishment. Thanks for showing us this great work.

Mark

 

[Brian Hochstrat]

Weldon, Very cool, I really like the sculpted vine work and I would agree with Doc Mark the plain ivory handles gives a clean, classic look and allows your eye to focus on the engraving.

How did the 14k rose feel to inlay? I have inlayed 18k rose and it was fine, but if the 14k is'nt much different it may be a better way to go. I like the stronger color you achieved with it. Brian

 

[Ray Cover]

Dang Weldon that's impressive!

Down right inspiring.

Ray

 

[KCSteve]

Boy, this place sure keeps the bar set pretty high!

 

[Weldon47]

Thanks guys!

Brian,
The 14k rose hardens up pretty fast so you only get a couple of whacks to set it. If it's not done by then you'll have to anneal & try again. Doing it on a compound curve can be really irritating (if you know what I mean!!)

Weldon

 

[ron p. nott]

Weldon .. hey I like that , great work and style also good theme . those Colts are great to work on .. ron p.

 

[joseph engraver]

One day soon you will join the ranks of the very bald.congratulations.consider giving your self a raise when a new project comes along.You deserve it.

 

[Weldon47]

Thank you for the kind words, Joseph. I literally lost more than a few hairs on this commission!

Weldon

 

[Mike Cirelli]

Weldon excellent work. I almost missed this one, that would have been a shame for me. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Andrew Biggs]

Weldon

That's a stunner. I just love looking at your work and the way you combine sculpting with engraving and inlays. Words alone can't describe how beautiful that peice is. 20 out of 10!!!!!

Cheers
Andrew

 

[fegarex]

Fantastic Weldon.
Or is that Well done, Weldon?
Bringing it out to Emporia???

 

[Weldon47]

Thanks guys!

I'll be delivering it on the way to Emporia this weekend so unfortunately I won't have it with me (unless the client lets me bring it which is doubtful!!).

Weldon

 

[John B.]

Love it, Weldon.
Just great.
Best, John B.

 

[ron p. nott]

Weldon .. the more I look at this colt the more I see how great of a job that you did . I do hope you are going to be in reno in Jan. for the show and try to bring the Colt with you .. Ron p

 

[ddushane]

Weldon, I find myself going back & back to check it out, Beautiful work man! I've got a friend wanting me to engrave a gun but looking at yours scares the crap out of me. I don't want to let him down. You do inspire me! Thanks for sharing your work as always, Dwayne