Braxton Taylor
For the last round of Editor’s Picks, I wanted to focus on some of the more aesthetically pleasing and otherwise interesting things I saw while walking the show floor. Some are absolutely stunning, others are rather unique; all stand out from their brethren for one reason or another. In a sea of fanciful Cerakote finishes, dips, wraps and other finishes, these classics stand the test of time. Or, in some cases, are just … out there.
Gold-plated RPG-7
Pelican, known for its nigh-invulnerable cases for transporting firearms and other expensive items, chose to highlight the many uses for its hardy cases with this eye-catching, gold-plated rocket launcher. “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, else, what’s a gold-plated rocket launcher for?”—Robert Browning, probably. Why a gold-plated rocket launcher? I’ll counter with, why not?
Kimber 1911 with Altamont engraving and walnut grips
Boy, howdy. Some things are just stunning. Stopped by the Altamont Company booth to drool over check out some of the company’s excellent wooden grips and was greeted with this gorgeous Kimber 1911 (sorry, I didn’t get the model. I was too busy gawking…) The intricate engraving on this pistol, seamlessly matched on the frame, slide and even the grips, depicts a dragon in flight. The craftsmanship is nothing short of amazing, with artwork wrapping around the slide and confined on the other wooden grip as well.
Engraved Diamondback SDR revolver
When you think of revolvers, you probably think of Colt, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Taurus and perhaps a couple others. When you think of beautifully engraved revolvers, that list probably shrinks. Diamondback Firearms’ SDR six-shot SDR shows that a modern defensive revolver can catch your eye as well as an old classic. With a size about the same as Kimber’s K6s or Colt’s Detective Special, it offers six rounds of .357 Magnum in an easily concealed package. In this case, a rather good-looking one at that.
Color-case-hardened Inglis GP-35
Imported by SDS Arms, the Inglis Manufacturing GP-35 comes in a number of configurations, including this lovely case-color-hardened variant. Yes, it has ambidextrous thumb safeties; that’s a modern upgrade to make this Hi Power copy more friendly to all shooters. But, just look at that beautiful finish and walnut grips. That’s a pretty damn good-looking pistol—then check out the price: $649. For less than the cost of most micro-9 mm polymer-frame, striker-fired handguns, you can have a gorgeous recreation of John Moses Browning’s final firearm.
Taylor’s TC73 Lever-action 9 mm
Chambered in 9 mm. Threaded, 16-inch barrel. Ten-round capacity. Beautiful wooden stock and fore-end, along with case-color-hardened receiver in a lever-action. Taylor’s & Company’s stunning TC73 offers a 9 mm lever-action rifle, which is not only rather rare, but just a gorgeous example of the category. That it takes inexpensive 9 mm cartridges for the cheapest non-rimfire plinking is just the icing on the cake.
So, as we wrap up SHOT Show 2025, we thought we’d finish with some firearms that add to the beauty in the world. They might incur a premium over their more plebian siblings, but there’s an intangible pride of ownership of a truly unique and beautiful item. And, sometimes, that’s what we’re looking for, isn’t it?
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