.375 North American Game Rifle

[Mike Dubber]

This is a .375 H&H John Bolliger Custom Winchester I recently completed for our mutual client. The client's artistic objective was to dedicate the engraving theme to his love of the hunting in Alaska and Canada. Much of the fine line technique used on the animals was a result of my experiences and learning during Alain Lovenberg's Grand Masters class last October. Prior to his class I was entirley concentrated on Italian bulino, but after the Lovenberg class I've made a major shift in the way I work. I find that the fine line techniques are more appealing to me as a way to build animal form and shape.

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[img]http://fototime.com/52ED016A7700245/standard.jpg
This photo shows how the first layers of line work start to form the various muscle groups of the Moose's body. But notice also that I have used bulino dots to shape and shade the antlers. The more technique you develop - in this case fine line and bulino - the easier it becomes to create life form.

 

[fegarex]

Very nice Mike. I like how you incorporated the fleurs from the metal work into the engraving as well. I also like the hard to do "roll off" border on the grip cap too!
Rex

 

[FANCYGUN]

AAAHHHhhhhhh
So you did learn something sitting right next to me in Alains class.
Looks good Mike

 

[Mike Dubber]

Learn something from you?

No Marty Moose, but I did use your ACGG gun for inspiration on the bear/moose kill scene - just changed the expression on the bear's face a little!

 

[Mike Dubber]

Very nice Mike. I like how you incorporated the fleurs from the metal work into the engraving as well. I also like the hard to do "roll off" border on the grip cap too!
Rex

Rex: ...thanks, the fluers are also used to compliment and mirror Bolliger's fleur stock checkering patterns. I just returned it to John, maybe later we can get photo of the entire gun to see how it all works together.
Mike

 

[John B.]

Very nice job, Mike.
Love your cat and border on the grip cap.
This one really rocks.
Best regards.

 

[fegarex]

Marty Moose... I like that!
I would like to see a completed photo as well as others of the gun.
Rex

 

[Steve223]

WOW Mike that knocked my socks off i love it!!!!!

 

[FANCYGUN]

So if i am MARTY MOOSE does that make Rex ROCKET J SQUIRREL?????

 

[fegarex]

You must have been deprived of TV as a kid Marty..
It was Rocky J Squirrel and Marty Moose was the mascot of Wally World in Vacation.
It's sad I can remember that but not the important stuff!!

 

[FANCYGUN]

no no no Rex............"Rocket J" was the proper name for Rocky as in Rocky and Bullwinkle

Now we need a good Boris and Natasha

I nominate Mike D

 

[fegarex]

I stand corrected. Rocket was his "proper" name.
And.. Mike.. Sorry for the hijack of the thread. Get more pics up.
Rex

 

[Mike Dubber]

Moose's and Squirrel's

I was already part of the work force when all of this animal talk stated...no time for Saturday morning TV, so you guys will have to decide on your own pet names.

 

[Andrew Biggs]

Hi Mike

Beautiful engraving ............and a very nice looking rifle action. It would be great to see it all together.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[Mike Dubber]

Rilfe Action

Andrew:

Thanks, that's another of John's resurrected Pre 64 M70 Winchester actions...new bottom metal, custom fitted bases and rings, and a mid-weight barrel with integral rib, sling boss and ramp front site. And, of course, extended tangs on the action and bottom metal. Engravers can't really afford such exotic rifles like this, but it's fun to be to engrave them!

 

[ED DELORGE]

Hello Mike, that is lovely work and I love the fleau de leaus borders.

Ed

 

[Stefan Albert]

Hello
very much good work,congratulations

 

[Les Riddell]

truly amazing. thank you for the inspiring photos.

 

[monk]

ummm. alls i gotta say is, that's just smackin great looking work ! thanks very much for showing this, mike.