One of a Kind Wood Carvings: "The Pocket S & W 460XVR"

I was asked to consider carving this gun actual size. However, as you get to know me, I enjoy "developing" a carving to personalize it for the recipient. I add or tweak something to make the gift a little bit more special. In the case of the S & W 460XVR it's very large and looks like something "Dirty Harry" would carry around. I wanted this piece to be unique. I went small. Even though I found it frustrating trying to get a piece of wood to look like a highly machined majestic object, its final dimensions make the piece "cool!"

The Planning stage.

Lets try to make this beast "BIG" for its size. I selected a 1/4"=1" ratio.

The "roughing out" stage

Now to tediously work the piece down with a Mastercarver rotary tool.

Fine grit burrs will be used to slowly reduce the piece down to size.

A knife is used to remove most of the rounded edges.

Fine sandpaper was used to reduce the barrel and provide a "machined" appearance overall.

The mount for the pistol is roughly carved out to make it look "rustic." I also wanted the owner to be able to remove the gun. The gun "sits" partially in the carved out shape at an angle rather than a snug fit in the cut-out.

The mounting base is roughed out and a friend suggested "you made a nice rock." That stuck in my head. I applied a grey acrylic paint wash to the "rock."

The "rock" base is glued and screwed to the base as well.

The gun is almost chrome like in appearance. I decided to try spray painting the body of the pistol with bright silver spray paint. It worked out much better than I anticipated.

The black rear site and handle will be masked off.

The letters/numbers were relief carved.

Below is the finished pistol and the template I tried to stay close to for an accurate ratio of 1/4" to 1" but as you can see the piece is larger than the template.