Italian engravings and a visit to the Dassa workshop
In the Val Trompia, a region in northern Italy, beautifully situated in the foothills of the Alps, the two most important words concerning hard craftsmanship in these areas over the past 500 years have been “guns” and “engraving.”
Over the centuries, the people of the Trompia Valley have earned a reputation for being extremely independent, tenacious, talented and for working hard. The best examples of arms and weaponry produced in the last 500 years were typically engraved and custom-made for royalty, dignitaries, and high-ranking military officers.
And thanks to those who owned (and used) them, the weapon also had a chance to become a piece of decorative art. The object itself in its design both in form and function was often similar to a sculpture. Those who used it could admire it, use it for hunting, target shooting, and self-defense, and, most importantly, experience the sheer joy of owning something practical, beautiful, and deadly.
Italian engravings achieved their own distinctive form, especially after World War II. In December 1976, Italian gunsmith Mario Abbiatico published Great Engravings on Armi D’Oggi, which was the first in a large series of beautifully illustrated books depicting weapons, with engraved ornaments, made in Brescia, Italy. Authoritative American engravers and connoisseurs of fine arms eagerly bought each volume, and over time, names such as Galeazzi, Fracassi, Pedersoli, the Pedretti, and Terzi were respectfully included among engravers and aficionados of fine arms.
Pietta and Dassa’s second Remington is based on a display weapon given to Major General George Armstrong Custer after the American War of Secession. (Historical photo courtesy of R.L. Wilson)
Upon entering the Dassa brothers’ store located in an open-air shopping center, both customers and visitors immediately feel at ease with the atmosphere and decor of the place.
The front of the showroom looks more like an art gallery, with many framed paintings, prints, and related art pieces hanging on the walls. A large, antique counter and other pieces of furniture from the other office remind guests of the type of business. Not all engraving stores in Val Trompia are made equal and can range from a cluttered basement with no natural light to a well-lit studio with several workstations as in the case of Incisioni Dassa.
The Starr Single Action was the Union’s third most used sidearm. Pietta’s SA model is the only reproduction of historic break action revolver. The luxury model engraved by Dassa, copied from an original post-Secession War period weapon, is a beautiful model inlaid with silver and gold.
Mauro and Sergio welcome everyone in their custom brown work aprons and overalls with modest but warm smiles and a very professional look. After the exchange of greetings followed by a brief introduction, we go to the back room where all the engravings are made.
There is also a showroom inside the basement, which offers a wide variety of shooting/sport-related items-everything from high-quality greeting cards with sports motifs to hand-painted coat hooks to miniature lures made from a fine blend of stones.
Mauro’s English is far better than he thinks, and a few times Elena Micheli-Lamboy, a long-time Italian interpreter, listens patiently when we speak very basic English very slowly and, using very basic subjects, verbs and predicates.
Of course, we go around the engraving studio and talk about the various engraving disciplines they can offer their clients, including hand painting on metal. This is what differentiates Dassa from the rest of the engravers in the Trompia Valley.
Not only are they able to engrave any object regardless of technique, but they also have the ability to work with almost any kind of attention or budget restriction. Mauro tells me that it is very important for them to stay within the budget range of almost all potential clients.
This is what I like about Dassa Brothers-they have something for everyone, and the customer will have the same level of quality and service regardless of price.
Just compare this with some master engravers of Italy who do not take a commission unless the wealthy patron is willing to spend more than five figures and wait three to five years.
Dassa might even be the only engravers to accept credit cards! In addition to being talented craftsmen and artists, they also have the wisdom to make in the 21st century their business close to the customer. Anyone who orders a Dassa-engraved firearm or a black powder replica surely gets the best of both worlds-the new-world quality guaranteed by up-to-date Italian manufacturing techniques in union with the value of old-world hand engraving practiced by the two best engravers in the Val Trompia.
Simply as Colt offered factory engravings and special finishes on its single-action weapons on the occasion of its 140th anniversary, which are now the world’s most expensive revolvers, the Dassa brothers are engraving and placing ornaments on a variety of firearms and other items with their own unique style.
This article continues in the next issue of the Pietta editorial…
