Need opinion on work on 1911 slide

[Buickman58]

Hello,
Picked up a gun that the frame was destroyed from the courts(a crying shame). I am making a BBQ gun out of it, but was trying to see what thoughts all have on the quality of the work. Do you all think the artist was more/less skilled? What era would you guess the work was done. The slide is 1918, parts from the gun WW1-WW2. Unfortunately no marks I can find on the work. Nickel platted, gold plated. Also many hours would you think it would take on this? Thanks to all in advance for your thoughts.

 

[monk]

better fotos will likely get you better answers

 

[Buickman58]

Hello Monk, thank you for the reply. Here are a few closer pictures. Finished on a stainless frame that was not original to the gun.

 

[Buickman58]

One artist work which I have come across is Santiago Leis of Florida which the small parts look similar. I am not sure if this is one the right track…

 

[monk]

did you do this ? never heard of a "barbecue gun" what is that ? as for the work several scroll spins are a bit squashed. shading could be much better.

 

[monk]

did you do this ? never heard of a "barbecue gun" what is that ? as for the work several scroll spins are a bit squashed. shading could be much better.

 

[Buickman58]

Hello Monk,
Thank you for the reply. I made the frame for the gun and fitted it from the engraved parts of a destroyed one. The original frame I would guess had been engraved. A bbq gun is a fancy side piece to wear at parties and such, one to stand out from your normal carry gun.

 

[John B.]

Much better photos, thank you. Some errors in design and cutting.
In some places there are large scrolls emanating from small scrolls.
Also too much use of outside work to fill major areas of the design.
In many places the the size of the outside work has big leaves, much larger than the leaves inside the scroll.
This shows lack of design thought, and an effort to just quickly fill the space with something.

 

[Buickman58]

Hello John,
Thank you for the response and appreciate the thoughts on the piece. Would you think the level of the person was moderate then? Or would this fall into a newer artist?

 

[John B.]

To me it looks like something done quickly, without much time being spent to fully develop a design.
If a contract job, it looks like a lot of engraving coverage was requested at a low price.
I believe it was either hand drawn or just cut on the "fly." No transfers made and used in laying it out.
Along the rounded top of the slide the "matching", opposed paired scrolls and elements don't match.
Most of the cutting is not bad but the design and layout was careless.