Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/769056
The ArT of The Shotgun T he shotguns on these pages represent one of the highest forms and most challenging mediums of all artistic endeavors. The design of their mechanical components required the collaboration of the most talented innovators: mechanical geniuses, sculptors of steel and wood, and the assistance of the finest goldsmiths, silversmiths, engravers, and carvers of steel and precious metals. The embellishers have always had the most difficult tasks of working on hard surfaces composed of multiple planes and curves. Unlike great painters, who could correct their errors or change their minds about details, or sculptors who worked first in easily altered and repaired clay, firearms engravers, chiselers, and inlayers are seldom able to rework their creations. Working on "miniature canvases," the embellishers created, through the ages, mythological, hunting, and/or wildlife themes framed and enhanced with beautiful ornamental designs, or compositions composed exclusively of complicated ornaments. These works were engraved with a light or heavier hand, or deeply carved and chiseled into the steel, sometimes with inlays of various shades of gold and with platinum and copper. We should also salute the great stockmakers. Apart from graceful and beautiful shapes sculpted from rare, highly figured European, Circassian, or Turkish walnut, the gunstock is functional and must be comfortable in all shooting positions. An improper fit between metal and wood can cause the stock to crack, split, or chip from recoil. Fine checkering is an art in itself. Some stocks incorporate both checkering and carving. Others feature inlays of contrasting woods, polished horn, ivory, mother of pearl, and precious metals. The master stockmaker has in his repertoire the talents of an exceptional cabinetmaker, but the reverse is seldom true. Today, patrons of the art are very fortunate to be able to see or even own the finest sporting firearms ever made because of the talents of exceptional gunmakers, and the creative genius of some of the finest gun embellishers in history. S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S • 135 A selection of superbly engraved shotguns from the collection of Robert M. Lee. By RoBERt M. LEE & R.L. WiLSon