Just found out Bob passed away at age 79. one of the truly great engravers of all time. Way back, he worked with Fugger while at Griffin & Howe.

While famous for his gun engraving, he had a love of copper etchings and designed a number of wine bottle labels for several Napa Valley wineries.

Unlimited kindness and high moral values,. he met his maker on good terms

For those who may be interested, Tom Turpin included two pages of photos of Mr. Swartley's work in his book entitled Custom Firearms Engraving. (see pages 172 and 173) Mr. Turpin also included a couple of pages on Mr. Swartley in the first edition of his Modern Custom Guns book. (see pages 116 and 117)

You can also learn a bit more about him from his obituary, which contains a photo of him.

http://napavalleyregister.com/...96-1e37452a35a5.html

God Speed. We are diminished...

Sorry to hear that.

I never met Bob, but all I've talked with that did know him held him in high regard. Can't ask for much better than the respect of your peers.

Very sorry to learn of Bob's passing. He was a wonderful engraver with a distinctive style that was immediately recognizable to a knowledgeable fan. He was also a fine man in every respect. He will be sorely missed.

TT

Too bad. He was one of the greats... wonderful work.

I didn't know him, but he was an exceptionally talented engraver. May he rest in peace. Some of his work.....

http://www.lindsayengraving.co...artley01copya1x1.jpg

http://www.lindsayengraving.co...artley01copyb1x1.jpg

http://www.lindsayengraving.co...tley02%20copy1x1.jpg

Years ago, I walked in to an older friends safe and he had a wall of Swartley engraved firearms. My older friend was a custom stock maker and he and Bob were friends in the trade.

It was a real treat and one which I'll never forget.

This thread brought back a flood of memories. I still miss my old curmudgeon friend!

Zeke

Exceptionally nice quality engraver/engraving.
I was really impressed with the third link down in the post above. It's a side by side bird gun with dogs engraved.

Often you'll run into nice engraving but you'll find the engraver excels at scroll more so than animals, sometimes better at animals than scroll, usually the first if either.

Mr. Swartley looks to have excelled at both.

Rip

I only saw what Gato posted in his links. Wow! Sure is a shame to lose this level of talent. Hopefully his techniques were passed on to others before he passed on.

All you can say is...WOW!!!