Engraved 38-200
- Thread starter Dstarver
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Dixie Gunsmithing
Moderator Emeritus
Nice engraving, and looks to have silver inlay in it, or some other white metal. Generally oak leaf patterns are done by outside engravers, and factory engraving is generally just scroll work. Also, you see oak leaf in German engraved firearms.
Bill DeShivs
New member
I have seen pictures of this gun before.
What does it say on the left side of the topstrap?
My guess is it was engraved in Germany post-WW2 and brought back by a GI.
Beautiful engraving and grips.
What does it say on the left side of the topstrap?
My guess is it was engraved in Germany post-WW2 and brought back by a GI.
Beautiful engraving and grips.
It looks like there's a name along the top left side of the topstrap, but I can't make it out; the last word looks like it might be "Mainz", which is a city in Germany (going with the engraving style). Maybe this revolver was bought through one of the US bases during the occupation, and the owner had it engraved? Can you see any German proofs on it anywhere (like under the barrel where the ejector-rod sits, or on the rear of the cylinder), because if it was bought by a German in Germany, it would have had to go through reproof there.
At the end of WWII, Germany was flattened and people were doing anything for a few dollars or enough to eat. One thing they did, if they had the skill, was to engrave guns for American GI's. Like all engraving, some was beautiful, some not so. The term used was "carton of cigarettes engraving" because that was what it generally cost. (Cigarettes were $.25 a pack or so, but the military issued them at no cost. Quite a change from the official position on smoking today.)
After looking more closely, that engraving is quite a bit better than that seen on some other guns, so it is possible it was done through a PX, which was common later on. The reason I say that is that a K-200 would not have been available to an American right after the war, but would have been sold in the PX in the 1950's or 1960's.
Jim
After looking more closely, that engraving is quite a bit better than that seen on some other guns, so it is possible it was done through a PX, which was common later on. The reason I say that is that a K-200 would not have been available to an American right after the war, but would have been sold in the PX in the 1950's or 1960's.
Jim
Super Sneaky Steve
New member
very fan-C
Bill DeShivs
New member
Kurt Jaeger, Mainz?
Bo Sabbath
Inactive
Fraternal Twins?
I have a near twin of that revolver. Originally chambered in .38 Special (no "step" in the chambers indicating that a .38 S&W was reamed out, as well as the fact that .38 S&W cartridges will not chamber). The left side of the top strap is engraved with "Kurt Jaeger", the lanyard ring has been removed and the lanyard ring hole has been perfectly filled. Identical oak leaf coverage, same stag grips. On the right side of the frame is an Art Deco style swastika filled with a silver colored metal. Maybe this work could be done so cheaply because it was done over and over again? Hard to imagine it ever went quickly or easily though. Beautiful work, especially when you see it in real life.
I have a near twin of that revolver. Originally chambered in .38 Special (no "step" in the chambers indicating that a .38 S&W was reamed out, as well as the fact that .38 S&W cartridges will not chamber). The left side of the top strap is engraved with "Kurt Jaeger", the lanyard ring has been removed and the lanyard ring hole has been perfectly filled. Identical oak leaf coverage, same stag grips. On the right side of the frame is an Art Deco style swastika filled with a silver colored metal. Maybe this work could be done so cheaply because it was done over and over again? Hard to imagine it ever went quickly or easily though. Beautiful work, especially when you see it in real life.
