Which way do dogs Point?

[ED DELORGE]

I just received My new issue of sporting classic magazine, on page 152 and 153 are two Holland and Holland guns. One has a game sceen with Dr. Livingstone (I think) riding an ox, the other gun has two pointers engraved on it. Both sceens are pointing toward the shooter or the butt stock. When I was a beginner engraver (some would say I still am). I was taught that game sceens should always point down range or toward the muzzle end of the barrel. Is the rule I was taught 26 years ago uiniversal? What do you think?

Ed DeLorge

 

[FANCYGUN]

I always try to have my scenes and engraving flow go towards the front of the gun. Sometimes it works and sometimes ?????????????

 

[fegarex]

My thought is that they should point towards the muzzle if possible. It just looks more "natural". I've seen cases where this is the opposite and it works as well however. It really depends on the scene itself.

 

[Ray Cover]

Ed,

As with most things in life we cannot stamp design layout strategies with a rubber stamp and demand everyone do it the same way. IF the design worked well visually with the scene pointing toward the butt of the gun it was right. If it looked awkward it wasn't and vise versa. Always judge a layout job by how it looks not by someone else's predetermined "Right way to do it"

These predetermined "right way to do things" often come about because of our experience ( or lack of it). We do something and it turns out well or we see something done a certain way and it turned out well and we draw the conclusion that .... the way it was done was the proper way. Likely it was proper.

The problem comes into play when we assume that this is the ONLY proper way due to a lack of experiencing any other successful ways in our studies and travels.

Here is something to think about on this concept.

I think we can all agree the when a man flushes the toilet the water ALWAYS turns counterclockwise as it goes down the drain. I mean after all, Every time I have flushed a toilet for the 40 years I have been alive it has ALWAYS drained out of the bowl in a counterclockwise direction. Without exception!!!! Therefor, I am going to conclude that it is impossible for water to successfully drain clockwise out of a toilet when flushed.

Am I right in making the statement," Water cannot drain clockwise out of a drain"?

Ask Andrew Biggs or any of our other friends who live in the southern hemisphere. I am sure they will all agree that the water never goes down clockwise. I mean, after all, thats the WRONG direction.

See my point?

Ray

 

[SamW]

The scene action pointing towards the barrel is tradition, not mandatory. It is a tradition I try to stick to but everyone to his own. As for counterclockwise versus clockwise, it depends on the initial energy input. If the Coreolis parameter is the only or strongest input, then counterclockwise it will be in the Northern Hemisphere. If you stick your finger in and start it the otherwayround then...S

 

[Ray Cover]

Sam,

I'll have to try that next time I flush

 

[Ron Smith]

Reality dictates that dogs point in all directions and art isn't subject to opinions so much with the exceptions that have already been mentioned, and those willing to stay within those boundaries. Since firearms engraving reflects the reality of the hunt, I would say that it is entirely appropriate to have them going which ever way, and it makes the artistic value more relatable, as long as it catches your imagination and tweeks a powerful emotional response. I feel the impact of the work is what is important as much as tradition plays a very important roll. I think those who have contributed to this subject are approaching it from the artistic standpoint. But we have watched engraving transform in our minds and the cultures mind to an art form, and so let it be that. But at the same time, it might have a lot to do with the mind of your client, and the heighth of your reputation. Some can get away with it, some cannot, and the question is, do you have the ----- and force behind you to go out on that creative limb? If you don't, don't do it........and in that case, towards the front is the more acceptable way....Ron S

 

[ED DELORGE]

Hello Ron, you stated that so well, especially the part where you suggested that if you have enough chrisma
within to be able to persuade the customer that your creative work is wonderful. But woe to the guy whose customer comes back and says "another engraver said the game sceen should always be going down range" and wants you to file it all off and do it right. Wouldn't that be hell?

Ed

 

[Ron Smith]

It is certainly a good idea to check first Ed, and that is why I ended the conversation like I did, cause you are exactly right. Better to be safe rather than sorry, and that was exactly my point.....Right on, ride on, Ed.....
...Ron S

 

[FANCYGUN]

Guys..let me settle this once and for all......the dogs should ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS.....point towards where the bird is hiding.
Ta dah

 

[Ron Smith]

Ha Ha Ha, ....Ha ha Ha .......You got it Marty!!!..................er...uh....wait a minute!! It sounds like you are saying we don't know which end the bullet comes out of......wait a minute,...that's not funny!

 

[Abigail]

I always thought it was impolite to point at all.

 

[pierre]

hi, perhaps i have an answer for you , at school when i asked the question to my drawing teacher, he just simply said to me ' The animal that you hunt must escape from you (the hunter) so we always drawing the animal looking at the muzzle end.

 

[Dave London]

Fancy Gun
I want to hunt with you, allways go with the dog he/she is smarter than any of us .

 

[JJ Roberts]

Pierre,
I must agree with your teacher..picture two English Setters on the side plate of a double gun..one pointing forward..the other setter is standing on point, but with head turned back looking for guidance from his master. It is not easy to describe hunting with dogs unless you have been there, and watched them..work back and forth across a field..there is nothing like it. Keep up the good work.

Best Regards,
JJ Roberts
Manassas, VA

 

[John B.]

Watch out for that Ray Cover.
Here we are talking about pointing and flushing.
Did a little pun sneak in here Mr. Ray???
A little country humor here, eh!!! Ha, ha.
Best, John B.

 

[monk]

what's a flush toilet ? is that some kind of game bird ?

 

[FANCYGUN]

Not sure if you do want to hunt with me Dave. I give meaner looks than the dogs give you when you miss. Of course i never ever miss.......

 

[Ray Cover]

Sorry John,

Sometimes being locked up here in the cave just gets the best of me.

 

[Ron Smith]

You guys are a hoot!!!!!