Opinions On Engraving

[Dean Weber]

I must admit I am fairly terrible at determining "who the engraver was". But I thought for fun and my education, I would put up a few D grade examples for comments. I have studied TPS and posts here on the forum and I am just guessing. I am sure that is what makes it fun. I understand there is likely no definitive evidence. I will also post Dean Romig's reference guide. What are your guesses?

Subject 1- Pics 1&2 - 1917 (ser 175xxx) DHE 20 ga, 26 inch, 2 1/2 chamber, 0 frame
Subject 2 - Pics 3&4 - 1924 (ser 208xxx) DHE 12 ga, 30 inch, 2 5/8 chamber, 1.5 frame
Subject 3 - Pics 5&6 - Rem (ser 239xxx) DHE 16 ga, 30 inch, 2 3/4 chamber, 1 frame
Subject 4 - Pics 6&7 - Rem (ser 240xxx) DHE 16 ga, 26 inch vent, 2 3/4 chamber, 1 frame

#1
https://i.imgur.com/N0hgSXF.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/VSQClI1.jpg
#2
https://i.imgur.com/QfH0kgl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/O53QEsT.jpg
#3
https://i.imgur.com/pKMFG8O.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/RafO22M.jpg
#4
https://i.imgur.com/EdVTAUp.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/q7ZGkRv.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IEBQqsz.jpg

[Kerilynn Viccione]

I just want to say that it is because of posts like this that my family will be neglected for an unspecified period of time this weekend- that's on you Mr. Weber! :coffee:
These are amazing, as is the prompt-
Kerilynn

[Dean Weber]

I just want to say that it is because of posts like this that my family will be neglected for an unspecified period of time this weekend- that's on you Mr. Weber! :coffee:
These are amazing, as is the prompt-
Kerilynn

All in the name of some fun.......dsw

[Reggie Bishop]

Beautiful examples! Very nice !

[Randy G Roberts]

Very nice examples Dean. Very good photography also by the way. Personally I like subject number 3. The engraving is a little more sparse and not as busy as the typical D grade which makes the dogs stand out to my eye. I think the dogs on subject number 3 are much more lifelike than the other guns. According to the table one would expect that was a Runge engraved gun. Very very nice. Thanks for posting. I'm certain we would enjoy hearing more about these beautiful guns. Yep that's a hint. :)

[Dean Romig]

I definitely believe #3 was engraved by Runge and I believe #2 is the work of Frederick Anschutz ( we don’t see that engraving style after 1930 - the year Anschutz died) and I believe #1 is the work of William Gough.

#4 has me stumped. I’ve seen that engraving before and we even see it’s replicaton on a small number of Repros too. It was engraved during Runge’s tenure as chief engraver for Remington but it is not Runge’s work. Probably done by a very accomplished engraver working under Runge. Possibly Charles Forest...?

That’s just my take guys...





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[Dean Weber]

Deleted

[Dean Weber]

Hey Dean! Thanks for commenting. I know you have taken great interest in this subject. #1 is a 1917 gun. Although I would like to think it is a W.Gough engraving, it is later than records would indicate he was engraving. 6 years seems like a long time for a left over part or something of that nature.

I agree with you on 2/3.

#4 is something I have not seen stylistic similarities of previously. I also think 4 is someone accomplished based upon the floor plate.

[Dean Romig]

I base my opinion of #2 being the work of F. Anschutz on two facts - the first being that we no longer see the engraving style depicted in the dogs he engraved after the death of Anschutz in 1930 - the second being the fact that in The Parker Story his dogs are described as being “decidedly male.” Not all dogs by this engraver are ‘decidedly male’ but a predominance of them are... ergo my opinion.

As for #1 being the work of William Gough, until I learn Gough’s date of death I’ll hold my opinion. We know that W. Gough did contract work for other gunmakers and Parker Bros. may not have kept him on as chief engraver if he was working for others... Again JMHO.





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[Dean Weber]

Dean,
You made a point I had not considered......W. Gough potentially doing contract work after his official tenure. Appreciate you pointing that out. The date is why I didn't consider it.
Best!

[Dean Romig]

I want to add that I really like Runge's engraving and find that his dogs are especially lovely and almost true to life... with one exception. The off-side foreleg on just about all of his dogs is a tad anatomically incorrect in its placement. It almost looks more like a 'kickstand' than a correct leg... Again JMHO :corn:


Having critiqued the leg positioning of Runge's dogs, here's one engraver who did work for Meriden Firearms and honestly?..... this guy didn't have a clue about a dog's anatomy... :rotf:

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[Craig Larter]

My favorite is your example #1 I own a CHE 12ga #3 frame done by the same hand serial number 173441. Interesting that it may be a W. Gough. I call this gun my Grade C+++.

[Dean Weber]

Craig, the C's are my favorites in terms of engraving. For me, they have just the right contrast of engraving and elegance without being gaudy. Yours is a fine example, especially with the damascus barrels.

[Dean Weber]

I want to add that I really like Runge's engraving and find that his dogs are especially lovely and almost true to life... with one exception. The off-side foreleg on just about all of his dogs is a tad anatomically incorrect in its placement. It almost looks more like a 'kickstand' than a correct leg... Again JMHO :corn:


Having critiqued the leg positioning of Runge's dogs, here's one engraver who did work for Meriden Firearms and honestly?..... this guy didn't have a clue about a dog's anatomy... :rotf:

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:) very humorous and yet very true......maybe he or she was a cartoonist?

[Dean Weber]

Very nice examples Dean. Very good photography also by the way. Personally I like subject number 3. The engraving is a little more sparse and not as busy as the typical D grade which makes the dogs stand out to my eye. I think the dogs on subject number 3 are much more lifelike than the other guns. According to the table one would expect that was a Runge engraved gun. Very very nice. Thanks for posting. I'm certain we would enjoy hearing more about these beautiful guns. Yep that's a hint. :)

Randy, I added a little more detail to my original post......I know how to take a hint....dsw

[Reggie Bishop]

I want, I mean like the 20!

[Randy G Roberts]

Randy, I added a little more detail to my original post......I know how to take a hint....dsw

Thanks for the additional info Dean. That makes you very coachable. :) Nice guns for sure.

[David Noble]

I want to add that I really like Runge's engraving and find that his dogs are especially lovely and almost true to life... with one exception. The off-side foreleg on just about all of his dogs is a tad anatomically incorrect in its placement. It almost looks more like a 'kickstand' than a correct leg...

I got a kick out of the kickstand remark, LOL. I’ve had similar thoughts about that leg, but I always likened it to an unjointed prosthetic leg. Otherwise I like his dogs.