My Ed Brown Story - Part 2

My Ed Brown Story – Part 2

The Centennial Edition was so successful Ed Brown Products decided to create a slightly different Custom Classic designed by Ed himself with basically the same engraving pattern.  This was called the Signature Edition and was also a blued steel version.  Changes to the pistol included skip line checkering on the front strap and mainspring housing.  All the same parts as well as the magazine were engraved. 

After checking my records, it appears that in 2014 Ed Brown Products introduced the Enhanced Edition.  This pistol was also based on their Custom Classic model but with a stainless frame and an engraved blued steel slide.   I liked this edition because it provided the customer with the option of an engraved pistol without what I’ve often heard described as, “Too heavily engraved,” and “Too busy.”  When I first saw it at the SHOT Show I was surprised and pleased with the unique, two-tone look.

I’m not sure exactly when I began doing a few stainless steel Signature Editions, but there were a number of those mixed in with the rest of the blued ones.  I love blued firearms because they are a traditional firearm finish, but a stainless firearm if properly handled gives the appearance of beautiful ‘French gray’.  That finish enhances engraving, and of course we engravers love that!

Late in the year 2016 I designed a pattern similar to the famous ‘rose and scroll’ engravings done on the highest grade English firearms.  English scroll is of smaller size than that usually seen on American firearms.  With the bouquet of roses, the smaller, more delicate scrolls if done correctly with open areas form pleasing shapes like ovals, diamonds, and even a pair of spectacles!  These open areas (if I might opine and agree with an engraver who taught me English scroll) are required.  If an engraving covers the entire receiver with them (to use his words), “You might as well sandblast it!  All you’ve done is create a texture!

In addition to firearms I’ve engraved a handful of knives for Ed and Travis.  They are probably the rarest of engraved Ed Brown Products.

I’ve been involved with a few truly interesting one-of-a-kind pistols for Ed Brown Products, and one of these days if they give me permission, I’ll share pictures and stories of them!