Louis Daniel Nimschke

Louis Daniel Nimschke (July 4, 1832 – April 29, 1904) was a master firearms engraver of the 19th century who engraved over 5,000 firearms between 1850 and 1904 for Colt's Patent Fire Arms Co., Winchester,[1] Remington, Sharps, Smith & Wesson, Henry, Manhattan Arms, Marlin Firearms and Stevens Arms.[2][3][4]

Louis D. Nimschke
Born
Louis Daniel Nimschke

(1832-07-04)July 4, 1832
Germany
DiedApril 9, 1904(1904-04-09) (aged 71)
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Occupation(s)Gunsmith, engraver

Early life

Born in Germany in 1832, Nimschke moved to the United States in 1850 at the age of 18 and began engraving jewelry, silverware, watch cases and dog collars. Nimschke was trained in both the European style of engraving which was represented by fine delicate lines and the bolder American style characterized by his scrollwork.[1]

Engraving

Unlike most engravers of the 19th century who worked directly for firearms manufacturers, Nimschke maintained his own shop in New York City and took work on a contractual basis. His main client was New York outfitter Schuyler, Hartley and Graham. When a special custom order that required utmost detail needed to be filled the firearms companies would commission Nimschke for the work.[3]

Ninschke engraved firearms for Theodore Roosevelt,[5] George Armstrong Custer,[6] Maria Christina of Austria,[7] Buffalo Bill, Ben Thompson,[8] and Napoleon III, Emperor of France.[1] Nimschke's work is on display at many museums throughout the world including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.[9]

Many engravers emulated his style, which has become known today as "Nimschke School" or "New York Style" of engraving.[7]

References
  1. Houze, Herb (2004). Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 348–357. ISBN 0-87349-786-4.
  2. Curator (2005). A Western Legacy: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 142. ISBN 978-0-8061-3731-5.
  3. Wilson, Robert Lawrence (1966). L. D. Nimschke: Firearms Engraver. LR Books. ISBN 978-1-884849-02-2.
  4. Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (3 January 2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-89689-293-4.
  5. Autry National Center (12 January 2012). "Roosevelt's Winchester". Archived from the original on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  6. Wilson, Robert Lawrence (2008). The Peacemakers: Arms and Adventure in the American West. Book Sales, Incorporated. p. 97. ISBN 978-0-7858-1892-2.
  7. Austyn, Christopher (9 February 1999). Gun Engraving. Safari Press. p. 47. ISBN 978-1-57157-124-3.
  8. Bicknell, Natalie and Tom (19 July 2007). "A Very Handsome Present from Buffalo Bill".
  9. MMOA (1987). Library Catalog of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: Supplement. New York: G.K. Hall. p. 628. ISBN 9780816104178.
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