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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Stevens Engraving Patterns (Read 7945 times)
Redsetter
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Re: Stevens Engraving Patterns
Reply #15 - Feb 26th, 2019 at 7:50pm
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bnice wrote on Feb 26th, 2019 at 5:37pm:
Curious as why no one seemed to think it was engraved by a local Australian engraver instead of Stevens?


Because the present owner's original question was whether it resembled known Stevens engraving patterns.  Consensus seems to be that there's no very close resemblance with the common Stevens patterns & styles, though the possibility of a custom order in an atypical style can't be excluded. 

No doubt there were many Australian engravers capable of doing the same work, but that's a different inquiry.  It could be pursued by looking up engravers in an Adelaide business directory of the early 20th C.   


  
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bnice
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Re: Stevens Engraving Patterns
Reply #16 - Feb 26th, 2019 at 9:17pm
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Thanks, neat piece I really like pieces that tie to a club or area. I love seeing pieces from my home club it always adds to the item for me. Still like to see a picture of the whole gun if you get time. Thanks
  
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CharleHunter
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Re: Stevens Engraving Patterns
Reply #17 - Mar 7th, 2019 at 11:23pm
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Once again thanks all for the input. Just to make a couple of things clear. J. Talbot Lake was a noted world renowned South Australian Shooter (will post a picture of him next week) and proprietor of a well know gunsmithing shop for many, many years (up to late 50s or 60s). To go back to a previous comment by bnice, whilst there were quite a few famous local gold and silversmiths quite capable of completing this level of engraving, it is highly unlikely. Where would they get a Stevens style engraving pattern? Lake was most likely a Stevens agent here in Adelaide SA (yet to confirm) and would have ordered what he wanted. 

Trying to work this kind of stuff out makes it fun! Took the repro front off this morning and as you can all see by the photo it is a model "45".  The Ideal Range Rifle configuration fits with the style of shooting and "similar" 1885 Winchesters from the same era, club and match style shooting where the rifle was used.
  
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arlon
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Re: Stevens Engraving Patterns
Reply #18 - Mar 7th, 2019 at 11:42pm
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I have a Stevens 52 that I think is factory engraved. I've seen one other 52 on an auction site that has basically identical engraving. I'd be surprised if the factory did the engraving on that 44 1/2. I'd guess local.
  
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CharleHunter
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Re: Stevens Engraving Patterns
Reply #19 - Mar 8th, 2019 at 12:05am
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arlon wrote on Mar 7th, 2019 at 11:42pm:
I have a Stevens 52 that I think is factory engraved. I've seen one other 52 on an auction site that has basically identical engraving. I'd be surprised if the factory did the engraving on that 44 1/2. I'd guess local.


Beautiful rifle you have there. 

Still state that it is unlikely to be "locally engraved", this opinion is based on over 40 years of collecting and not having seen any other "locally engraved"  firearms of this type or engraving style. Yes there are some presentation firearms that have presentation plaques on them, yes there are locally made engraved exquisite silver trophies, yes there are locally made and engraved shooting medals but guns.... no. 

Now having said this, you watch them come out of the woodwork to prove me wrong.  Grin
  
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Bill Lawrence
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Re: Stevens Engraving Patterns
Reply #20 - Mar 8th, 2019 at 9:06am
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Having now seen both sides of the OP's action and having compared them to other similar and known factory special-order work, my revised opinion is that the engraving most likely was done by Stevens.

Bill Lawrence
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Stevens Engraving Patterns
Reply #21 - Mar 8th, 2019 at 10:28am
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From what I've seen of Stevens engraving, it's all over the place as to patterns and both light and very heavy engraving. I'm certain that Stevens used several different engravers to have their actions engraved, as it's just not one style of engraving.
I had a Stevens Walnut Hill with similar heavy engraving, but not the personalized engraving the OP's gun has.
  

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oneatatime
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Re: Stevens Engraving Patterns
Reply #22 - Mar 8th, 2019 at 10:39am
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Beautiful 52!
  
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boats
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Re: Stevens Engraving Patterns
Reply #23 - Mar 8th, 2019 at 4:54pm
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I did some Stevens Engraving research when having my CPA Schuetzen engraved. Looked at catalogs photos etc. Friend of mine and shooter at our club, full time professional engraver, did the work, his first CPA. Paul Shuttleworth sent him a original action as reference . He has since done many rifles for CPA.

His opinion based on a lot of firearm engraving experience was the guns were engraved to order. Buyer would probably specify from fairly standard designs that could be altered to suit.  Either what he wanted done or more likely how much he wanted to spend. Probably a mix of in house and contracted outside engravers.

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Kurt_701
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Re: Stevens Engraving Patterns
Reply #24 - Mar 8th, 2019 at 8:27pm
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Here is my factory engraved Stevens 44 1/2.
  

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