geez, Phil, another basic 'Field Grade" for somebody to drag into a duck blind? ain't ya doing nuthin' fancy these days?
on a more serious note, would you mind posting a close-up of the serial number? it appears you've elevated- both visually & artistically- the flush-inlaid numerals by engraving fine shadow lines next to the gold. this is a subtly elegant refinement i've been doing and advocating for at least 25 years (and just so we're all clear, i didn't invent it by any means, nor am i the only engraver doing it!). it's a difficult trick to pull off well, but it adds so much to otherwise straightforward inlaid lettering. thanks, the whole project is exquisite!
That is a pure wonderment to behold. We know it will have a straight English stock and a Serial Number. The drawing is very helpful to us rank butchers to see what the concept is and how you planned your colors as well as other aspects of this work of your engraving artistry. Thank you for sharing more of your process. I see you signed your drawing. Picasso signed every doodle. Covers of phonebooks napkins etc. They are warehoused for future release as if too many unseen works hit the market at once they become worthless. Quit a plan on his part. Understand that Warhol, Quinn, Tony Curtis also have warehouses for work for slow release.
Since this goes to hardening after your work has started, when does the proofing take place. Do they fire the gun in the unhardened state while regulating the barrels and is that when the official proofing takes place. Many guns here in the colony come with three spent brass or in the case of doubles 3 empty shells with a target showing grouping. No official proof marks so to speak that I am aware of. Fine hand made rifles often have several targets measuring MOA and I believe Rigby California sends theirs to Great Britten for proofing to maintain that Old World status. Not sure what Connecticut Arms Manufacturing does with their several old time brands their remanufacturing. Trying to capitalize on the Old World traditions.
Love it. As Mitch said I like the inlaid serial numbers. Wish it wasn't against ATF regulations in the US. I can't wait to see the rest of tge firearm.
Love it. As Mitch said I like the inlaid serial numbers. Wish it wasn't against ATF regulations in the US. I can't wait to see the rest of tge firearm.
i've never heard anything about inlaid serial numbers being illegal in the USA. if anything, they're usually cut deeper and are thus more durable than non-inlaid lettering. in other words, the engraving is still fully intact, just filled in with another, more corrosion-resistant, metal. also, the serial # on a trigger guard tang would not be the official primary serial # on a gun (at least not in the States, anyway), as it is not on the frame or receiver. such an extra serial # would be strictly for ease of viewing/ID and in the case of efforts such as on this Purdey, mostly decorative.
That's it Phil tease a little more most of us can live with not having your talent but please spare a thought for us that have lost the will to live after viewing perfection.
I dont want to hijack the thread dealing with Phils great work. If the doesnt suffice maybe we should take this to another thread. The ATF guidelines and an open letter to firearms manufacturers states that " the serial number must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch and in a print size no smaller than 1/16 inch". It's hard to do a flush inlay .003 inch deep.
It is my opinion that discussions of the serial number and the ATF deserve a separate thread. Let us admire the engraving itself and discussions of technique relative to this work. I have a Mfg FFL and will start the new thread with an explanation much like that of Mitch's. I regularly and legally apply serial numbers to firearms. Roger