Fine Sporting Arms and Artistry of the Past
At the pinnacle of fine sporting arms artistry are truly legendary pieces made by gunmakers like Le Page-Moutier that date to the 1700s or earlier and often land in the collection of museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art ’ s flintlock of Emperor Charles VI , and the Art Institute of Chicago ’ s wheellock of Emperor Leopold I . These pieces hew more toward art than field pieces and can stand alongside fine paintings and sculptures .
The adornment of French renaissance firearms with three dimensional decoration , finely carved stocks and silver and gold inlays stand in contrast to the functional embellishment of modern firearms . Master engravers like Simon Coggan , Ken Hunt and Firmo Fracassi adorn the steel canvases of 20th century arms with exquisite engraving and inlays . Modern arms from British firms lean toward the work of master engravers who emigrated from Europe to the United States and whose work decorated Colts and Winchesters of the 19th century . Their fine foliate and scroll work is effusive and bold as they flow across the frame and receiver surrounding panel game scenes of birds in flight or a stag in the forest .
A trio of guns by James Purdey & Sons with engraving by Master Engraver Simon Coggan displays this exceptional workmanship and artisanship . The scrollwork is extensive and its game scenes highly detailed with grouse , pigeons and snipe taking flight . It has subtle gold inlays noting the guns with a “ 1 ,” “ 2 ,” or “ 3 ” as well as the serial numbers .
Top : LePage shotgun - Artistry of Past Bottom : Henry double rifle of Prime Minister Salar Jung Opposite page : James Purdy Trio
PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE 31