Mike Dubber
Elite Cafe Member
I finished another major part of them 2022 Safari International 50th Anniversary Auction Rifle. This John Bolliger Custom was fitted with a steel butt plate that presented lots of room for scrolls and figures. Following the American Game Animal theme we decided on a Rocky Mountain Bighorn for placement in the center frame.
If you've ever engraved one of these creatures before you'll understand the complexities of making it look life-like. Just one click off perfect and the eyes go crossed - and worse yet, and mouth ends up with a silly grin! So, I came close at least - the rifle maker said if that had happened we could have simply placed cigarette in the corner of his mouth - would have distracted attention from the grin!
If you've ever engraved one of these creatures before you'll understand the complexities of making it look life-like. Just one click off perfect and the eyes go crossed - and worse yet, and mouth ends up with a silly grin! So, I came close at least - the rifle maker said if that had happened we could have simply placed cigarette in the corner of his mouth - would have distracted attention from the grin!