Posted by Denver Dillard on October 11, 2021, 9:56 pm
Yesterday David Williamson raised a question about an Albert Kraus signature on the Deluxe Grade, #202811, sold at Julia's March, 2014, Auction. I have examined the pictures in the Auction catalog under magnification and strong light. The picture of the tang under the open top latch shows a tiny "A E KRA" engraving. It should be noted that the metal coloration differs in the area incorporating the engraved letters. The original picture digital record was sold to Morphy's when James Julia went out of business. The online Julia Auction pictures have not been well-maintained by Morphy. The description of the gun in Lot 3459 was done by the infamous Parker Team member, Malcolm MacGregor. One possibility is that someone other than Albert Kraus engraved his signature at a later date. The gun is not original in that it now has a beavertail forend rather than the original splinter. I hope this answers Mr. Williamson's question.
Re: Kraus Signature
Posted by David Williamson on October 12, 2021, 10:17 am, in reply to "Kraus Signature"
Denver, the picture I posted taken at the Pratt House Museum serial number 202811 is the original 16 ga. Deluxe. It was owned by a member whom I know well. At the time I did not take elaborate photos of it just a few and nothing with the gun opened showing the top lever as I did not think it was important at the time. When took the picture this gun did have a beavertail for-end and when sold at Julia's it shows the beavertail for-end on it. I never said this gun has Kraus's signature on it, as I said I never opened gun.
The only way to solve this is for me to contact the previous owner.
Re: Kraus Signature
Posted by Ken Descovich on October 12, 2021, 11:49 am, in reply to "Kraus Signature"
I could never understand why someone that would spend the money that a original deluxe grade smith costs would replace the original forend, but I happen to own an original splinter forend (wood only) for serial number 65990, it is in beautiful condition.
Re: Kraus Signature
Posted by Denver Dillard on October 12, 2021, 1:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Kraus Signature"
David. My only point was that there was a signature and offering some speculation in support of Tom Archer's strong opinion about Kraus not signing his work. No accusation that your member friend did anything wrong. But someone before him could have embellished the goods. It is really hard to know when almost everyone in the chain is anonymous.
Re: Kraus Signature
Posted by Bill Murphy on October 13, 2021, 9:08 am, in reply to "Re: Kraus Signature"
So, are we saying that the Julia gun and the Redding gun are both fakes? If only one is a fake, which one?
Re: Kraus Signature
Posted by Tom Archer on October 13, 2021, 12:03 pm, in reply to "Kraus Signature"
Bill, you keep asking the same question; the Julia gun is THE authentic Deluxe, however it has not remained in original untouched condition given the later added beavertail and maybe other changes. I realize you're a Parker expert and can easily spot all finish details and nuance differences between, and given the class of each high grade Parker gun; high-grade Smith guns have different finish details to distinguish each grade also. The Redding is lacking in Deluxe Grade detail and is a fake built for one reason, to deceive a buyer lacking knowledge of what constitutes an actual Deluxe. Had the gun been done simply as an upgrade, the serial number would not have been changed.
David Williamson raised a question about an Albert Kraus signature on the Deluxe Grade, #202811, sold at Julia's March, 2014, Auction. I have examined the pictures in the Auction catalog under magnification and strong light. The picture of the tang under the open top latch shows a tiny "A E KRA" engraving. It should be noted that the metal coloration differs in the area incorporating the engraved letters. The original picture digital record was sold to Morphy's when James Julia went out of business. The online Julia Auction pictures have not been well-maintained by Morphy. The description of the gun in Lot 3459 was done by the infamous Parker Team member, Malcolm MacGregor. One possibility is that someone other than Albert Kraus engraved his signature at a later date. The gun is not original in that it now has a beavertail forend rather than the original splinter.
As to Denver's comment above, I've given this question additional thought; and the only items I know Kraus signed for certain were his paintings. These he did on his own time as a hobby and generally gave them away to friends as mementoes. In checking his painting signatures, illustrations I found were clearly and boldly signed "A. E. Kraus"; so when I considered what Denver could discern on this gun "A.E.KRA", my first thought is that the letters "US" to complete his name is not visible and my second thought is that, if it was, that "signature" was an attempt to match those on his paintings. Given Denver's observations and the fact that the original configuration was changed somewhat, I am suspicious that the "signature" was a later add. There's a couple of reasons why that might be the case. First of all, Albert Kraus enjoyed world renown fame as a master engraver; if someone unscrupulous decided to add a touch of "proof" to a gun he is claiming is Kraus engraved, why not add his initials to increase desirability and value? And since those initials could not be incorporated into an already fully engraved gun, what better place to do so than under the opening lever when just enough can be seen to "validate" the claim and convince a buyer? Do you find it odd that master engravers who signed their work during this period did so where their name/initials/mark could be clearly seen? According to what I've been able to learn, period engravers seldom signed their work and usually did so on customer request. Given that Kraus boldly signed his paintings, I am convinced he would have done likewise on guns he engraved; and that his signature/mark would be artistically incorporated into what ever scenes he planned to engrave. I've seen a few of Kraus original engraving sketches; apparently he always drew out his designs (maybe for approval by the customer or management?) prior to actual execution. And finally, I'll never make an absolute claim that there are no Kraus signed guns; only that I'm still awaiting authentication that such a gun exists.
For kicks and giggles below are three images, the first being Kraus's hand drawn sketches of the guard bow and lever for a Deluxe Grade being built for Robert F. Powers. The second is an old factory photo from the Kraus estate showing the bottom of Mr. Powers gun with his gold inlayed signature; the third is the same type photo that I believe (not sure) shows one side of the Powers gun. This Smith Deluxe was not signed by Mr. Kraus.
Re: Kraus Signature
Posted by Tom Archer on October 13, 2021, 12:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Kraus Signature"
The correct customer name was John F. Powers, not Robert; my apologies. Tom
Re: Kraus Signature
Posted by David Williamson on October 14, 2021, 2:51 pm, in reply to "Kraus Signature"
Here is the photo with partial signature that Denver is referring to. I firmly believe that Kraus did not do it but that someone added this on without taking gun apart. This is the REAL 16 gauge Deluxe s/n202811 sold at Julia's March 2014.
Re: Kraus Signature
Posted by Bill Murphy on October 14, 2021, 4:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Kraus Signature"
Yes, I keep asking the same question. After many attempts, I may have the answer, but I'm not sure. It was an interesting auction, and I'm glad I didn't come to this site to get a pre auction appraisal. I am still confused.
Re: Kraus Signature
Posted by Ken Descovich on October 14, 2021, 5:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Kraus Signature"
Bill I don't quite understand what you are confused with? Tom Archer has explained the situation quite well multiple times. Kwn