Dear Fellow Browning Lovers:
Lately some of you have posted pictures of the engraving of your Superposed shotguns, especially Fugotti, who has shared some beautiful pictures. This inspired me to post a new thread or topic.
I love seeing quality pictures of Browning shotguns and the works of art created by "The Engravers" at Browning/FN in Liege. I spend hours combing the Internet looking for engravings on Browning guns by Funken, Vrancken, Magis, Greco, Bee, Baerten, Dewil, and the others. I thought it would be cool to have a place where we can all go to see pictures of engraved Brownings, and hear about the famous engravers in Belgium that created these works of art for Browning.
Post your pictures. Tell us who your favorite Browning/FN engraver is and why. If you have a Superposed or other Browning gun with engraving by your favorite Engraver, give us a history of the gun, why you like the engraving, and tell us the story how you acquired it. If you don't own one, but have a good story, some photos, or just love to talk about the Engravers and Superposed guns, please share.
I will get it started . . .
Of the engraved Superposed guns, the various pre-1960 "grades" are wonderful. Post 1970s work in several patterns by Baerten, Perfido, Greco, Lallemand and others . . . Pre 60s engraving by Funken, Watrin, and Vrancken . . . wow!
But of all the Browning Superposed engraving patterns, I like the production high-grade patterns (Midas, Diana, Pointer, and Pigeon) produced from about 1960 thru 1967 (when, unfortunately, the Pointer pattern was dropped, and available after that time only as a custom order) the best. Of the production hi-grades of that time period, my favorite is the Diana Grade, followed closely by the Pointer Grade, then the Midas.
This story is about a Diana Grade. As you know, each Diana Grade piece is a work of art, each distinctive from the other. I searched years for a Diana that just reached out and grabbed me. Although I saw stunning Diana Grade works of art by many of the Master Engravers, it was this Diana engraved by Angelo Bee that caught my eye . . . here it is.
Notice the detail and intricacy of Mr. Bee's work . . . the blades of grass, the feathers of the pheasants and ducks, the leaves of the trees, the tucked-in feet on the ducks, the scrollwork, the detail on the long tang and trigger guard, the feather on the grouse on the bottom of the receiver, and so on. The shadowing used by Mr. Bee makes his game scenes come alive. No wonder Mr. Bee is a favorite of many. Take a look:
Ok. Now it is your turn. Tell us about your favorite engraver. Share a story. Post some pictures.
Let's make this thread a place where we can all go to to see pictures of beautiful engraving on Browning guns by the Master Engravers!
Thanks!!
CFB
Lately some of you have posted pictures of the engraving of your Superposed shotguns, especially Fugotti, who has shared some beautiful pictures. This inspired me to post a new thread or topic.
I love seeing quality pictures of Browning shotguns and the works of art created by "The Engravers" at Browning/FN in Liege. I spend hours combing the Internet looking for engravings on Browning guns by Funken, Vrancken, Magis, Greco, Bee, Baerten, Dewil, and the others. I thought it would be cool to have a place where we can all go to see pictures of engraved Brownings, and hear about the famous engravers in Belgium that created these works of art for Browning.
Post your pictures. Tell us who your favorite Browning/FN engraver is and why. If you have a Superposed or other Browning gun with engraving by your favorite Engraver, give us a history of the gun, why you like the engraving, and tell us the story how you acquired it. If you don't own one, but have a good story, some photos, or just love to talk about the Engravers and Superposed guns, please share.
I will get it started . . .
Of the engraved Superposed guns, the various pre-1960 "grades" are wonderful. Post 1970s work in several patterns by Baerten, Perfido, Greco, Lallemand and others . . . Pre 60s engraving by Funken, Watrin, and Vrancken . . . wow!
But of all the Browning Superposed engraving patterns, I like the production high-grade patterns (Midas, Diana, Pointer, and Pigeon) produced from about 1960 thru 1967 (when, unfortunately, the Pointer pattern was dropped, and available after that time only as a custom order) the best. Of the production hi-grades of that time period, my favorite is the Diana Grade, followed closely by the Pointer Grade, then the Midas.
This story is about a Diana Grade. As you know, each Diana Grade piece is a work of art, each distinctive from the other. I searched years for a Diana that just reached out and grabbed me. Although I saw stunning Diana Grade works of art by many of the Master Engravers, it was this Diana engraved by Angelo Bee that caught my eye . . . here it is.
Notice the detail and intricacy of Mr. Bee's work . . . the blades of grass, the feathers of the pheasants and ducks, the leaves of the trees, the tucked-in feet on the ducks, the scrollwork, the detail on the long tang and trigger guard, the feather on the grouse on the bottom of the receiver, and so on. The shadowing used by Mr. Bee makes his game scenes come alive. No wonder Mr. Bee is a favorite of many. Take a look:






Ok. Now it is your turn. Tell us about your favorite engraver. Share a story. Post some pictures.
Let's make this thread a place where we can all go to to see pictures of beautiful engraving on Browning guns by the Master Engravers!
Thanks!!
CFB