The odd jobs we do.

[Raven]

I was approched by a Colt collecter who owns a very rare #2 Paterson Rifle in the case with all the accessories........unfortunately the Charger Flask was missing the powder charger portion of the flask.

A complete cased set is probably worth upwards of $100,000 as there are less than a half a dozen known to exist.




My job......buld the upper half from photos and age it to match. 




Some of you will notice the dented nozzles....I have examined many charger flasks and they all have dented nozzles. These were caused when the flask got away from me in the drill press I thought I had probably lost a weeks worth of work but fortunately it wasn't so bad.....I couldn't have done a better job on purpose 



The finishes don't look like they quite match in the photos but to the naked eye they match really well.......I think that the artificial patina and the laquer just don't photograph the same as the 171 year old natural patina.

In all the project was a very challenging and satisfying.......and I learned a lot about how Colts craftsmen put things together.

Raven

[Fox Creek Kid]

On an objective as well as serious note, I sure hope that the collector includes a note of provenance so that when he dies the future buyer will know that the flask is not 100% authentic. 

[Raven]

On an objective as well as serious note, I sure hope that the collector includes a note of provenance so that when he dies the future buyer will know that the flask is not 100% authentic.   
 

On any job I do like this, I mark the internal parts so deeply with my cartouche that if anyone tried to remove them they would distroy the flask. All you have to do is open the filler port to see my Raven
It is also marked with the serial #67R......The R being for reproduction, replacement or Raven, take your pick.
I also placed a note on archival paper inside the flask.

I would like to think I do forgery quality work, but I sign everything I do.
I might be an egotist as I want credit for the work I do. I want future collectors to know who made it.

As an aside the flask is 100% authentic it just isn't 100% original. 

Raven

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[Steel Horse Bailey]

It's also 100% beautiful!