1830 era English rade Gun

[Big-Un]

This is an 1830's era English Trade gun, 20ga, made by a friend of mine and engraved by me in the style of the period. I studied several original pictures in historical books and such to get an idea of what was required. The customer was very pleased, and after some talk of selling it, has decided to keep it and show it around at re-enactments. Hope you think it is OK. It was a little difficult to keep my style out of it.

Bill

[Daniel Houwer]

Hi Bill

I love the gun and the engraving!
That you are bound by the old means of engraving is a fact.
That you are having trouble's with not 'over engraving" because of what you know and can do, I know as well.
Making replica's is often a bit hard for perfectionists with an artistic mind.
The lines could flow better or could be cut just that little bit deeper.
But back then they did not. Symetry is my biggest problem. Back in the old days they did not allways get the symetry right and it is very hard not to correct it or adjust it just that litle bit to satisfy your own idea of how it should be.

I think you did a fine job with a very nice result.
How much of your own artistic thing is in there whe will never know, but it sure lookes like the real good thing!

Greetings,

Daniel

[Big-Un]

Thanks, Daniel. In keeping with the times, I didn't sign it anywhere, either.

[SVD]

Might have been a good thing to sign it somewhere that doesn't show, such as under that sideplate, just so that in the future they can trace who did such nice work.

[Big-Un]

The maker wants me to engrave his mark on the trigger guard and proof mark(?), so I may add one more mark...mine!

[charles starks]

nice job Big un .
its so hard to stay true to the exsamples , but when we do , it makes for a better peice