2014 Arsenal Firearms AF2011-A1 .38 Super *MASTER ENGRAVED BY JIM DOWNING*

This exceptional Arsenal AF-2011 Dual .38 Super represents a truly one-of-a-kind, museum-quality example that transcends the category of a modern firearm and enters the realm of functional art. Master engraved entirely by Jim Downing, widely regarded as one of the finest contemporary American engravers and often referred to as the “Van Gogh of Guns,” this pistol showcases traditional hammer-and-chisel engraving executed at the highest level. Adding to its rarity, the AF-2011 platform is no longer manufactured in .38 Super, a caliber that accounted for only a small fraction of total production before being discontinued in favor of .45 ACP only. This alone places the pistol among the most elusive variants of the Dueller series, with virtually no opportunity for future replacement. 

Enhancing the significance of this offering is the inclusion of a matching, one-of-a-kind custom knife by Phillip M. Parris, created specifically to complement the pistol. Both the firearm and knife are fitted with cross-cut mastodon ivory grips, further elevating the display into a historically rich and irreplaceable set. Jim Downing, who began engraving in 1979, maintains an extensive waitlist and remains one of the few elite engravers still producing fully hand-executed work sought after by serious collectors, museums, and high-profile clientele. Taken as a whole, this example represents an impossible-to-replicate convergence of discontinued production, master engraving, ancient materials, and bespoke craftsmanship, making it a centerpiece-level acquisition for the advanced collector or institution.