Engraving King of Spain

[MikeDubber]

This is a photo of the floorplate from a John Bolliger rifle (John is a Riflemaker from Pocatello, Idaho) that I engraved for Juan Carlos, King of Spain. John and I were approached by his Emmissary during the Safari International show in January, 2006. We received instructions about the caliber and design of the rifle and worked togther to create it. The stock wood was premium Turkish Walnut with 36 lpi checkering patterns. Notice the extended tangs on the front an rear of the action - the receiver tang was also extended out and over the comb of the stock. Those kinds of special touches are difficult to hold and jig up for engraving. Happily, the King was'nt working in a restricted budget!

The floorplate (and other parts of the rifle) were engraved and inlaid in 24K gold and Platinum. The Royal Seal of Spain in the center of the floorplate was done to exact dimensions and colorations of inlaid metals.

We received a thank you note from Juan Carlos when he received the gun in March of this year. He also pormised to send photos of a future hunt.


http://fototime.com/F2F1FBAB23D5DDA/standard.jpg

[Tim Wells]

I still think it is some of your finest work maybe THE finest. I'd have a mighty hard time chosing between it and that Kentucky Colt; both masterpieces of art in their own right. :cheers2:

[MikeDubber]

Yeah, Yeah, I've heard that before - but don't give up on me yet, there are some nice things in the works here on bench.

Did you see your engraving work on my other post (Lion Floorplate)

[Dale338]

Thats outstanding work!! Thanks for showing.

[rod]

Mike,

A breathtaking combination of precision and art!

Thank you for sharing.

Congratulations, a work fit for royalty.

Rod

[Jordi]

Great work, Mike. My king has an excelent taste for choosing an engraver!
And I'm sure that he has been really pleased and satisfied with your work. Congratulations.

[MikeDubber]

Thank you Jordi!

[jimzim75]

Hi Mike,
The big picture looks great. That one heck of a commission. Congratulations.
Could you take a close up of the shield. You didn't per chance make
a tutorial on this gun by any chance?

Jim

[MikeDubber]

No, I did not do any tutorials during the process of engraving this gun - I was so deeply involved in the work it did'nt occur to me. I'll try to pull an enlargement of the shield from my photos.

[ron]

hi Mike .. I did post some large photos of that gun with the shield enlarged some months ago, if you go back look for the post that I did on that rifle .. ron p

[jimzim75]

Hi Ron,
I'll have a look at through to see the pictures that were posted before. Thanks.
See Juan Carlos rifle by mike dubber thread.
Hi Mike,
Well there are a lot of Royals and there is always next time. I can see how you would get
totally evolved. This job looks to have take about three months? With other jobs
coming across the bench in between. Once again Great looking gun.
Jim:cheers2:

[Todd Smith]

That is absolutely beautiful work.

[MikeDubber]

Thanks Todd - it took a considerable amount of time to complete this piece of work, and they were very specific about how the crest was made and colored with gold and platinum inlay work.

[ron]

here is a close up of Mikes floor plate ,,,king of Spain .. Ron p

http://www.fototime.com/44E476BE3D79892/standard.jpg

[monk]

i've never met mike, but had the pleasure of seeing a gun he did. i saw the gun maybe 5 years ago. to say the least a marvelous work to enjoy looking at.:drool5: