If I didn't know better I'd say Picasso did the birds :rotf:

Tom, I can add photos of the gun--it is a very nice one--but it'll be a while. Right now I'm forced to be in the high country of New Mexico engaged in hand to hand combat with the brown trout. Perhaps next week.

The gun is a totally original, high condition DH with 32" damascus barrels. Wood and metal are untouched from factory.

There must have been some variation of the engraving on the early guns, the DH that Charlie Cleveland got a while back is different. If I remember right the dogs were not in an oval but more like the early GH guns, but dogs instead of birds

12 Ga DH, Serial #56,788; #1 Frame; 30" barrels choked R=Full, L= Mod. Sorry for the poor quality of the photos but they do show the engraving on a relatively early D-grade. A couple of interesting points: the setter on the right side is looking back over its left shoulder and there is a setter on the floorplate.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...6/DSC_0041.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...6/DSC_0039.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...6/DSC_0040.jpg

That looks like a really nice old gun. I can tell the barrels still have alot of finish.

Im not sure the engraver captured the setters best side though:)

I have often wondered if this would be an example of "relief" type engraving. :whistle: Or, perhaps the setter is looking back over her shoulder and thinking if "I can find, hold and point the damn grouse you could at least hit it."

I have seen a couple of D's with a squatting setter engraving. Can anyone provide the name of the engraver?