Handwriting of freedom

The Feather That Creates Freedom

There are moments in history whose echoes resonate to this day. The Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, is one of them. Two hundred and fifty years later, its significance remains tangible wherever its story is told.

From Concept to Engraving

Ideas of the Founding Fathers are intangible, yet they can be given form. For the anniversary edition, the Blaser Custom Shop tasked two master engravers with creating the R8 Spirit of Freedom and the FBX Founders’ Freedom 250.

R8 Spirit of Freedom

On the left side of the steel receiver, master engraver Alexandra Feodorow captures the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Steel was chosen over aluminum to achieve the precision required for detailed portraits.
The right side of the receiver features Thomas Jefferson before the first American flag with 13 stars, representing the states that supported independence. Both scenes are embedded in delicate English ornamentation, subtle yet precisely composed.
The so-called Liberty Bell is depicted on the trigger guard. It was likely never rung on July 4, 1776. The fact that it nonetheless became a symbol of one of the greatest upheavals in history is rooted in its inscription and what it stands for: freedom for all.
The thirteen stars reappear on the trigger guard. Once loosely connected, they symbolize here the beginning of a shared identity. The pistol grip cap bears the inscription “In God We Trust,” a phrase that became the official motto of the United States in the 20th century.

FBX Founders’ Freedom 250

Master engraver Chantal Schaschl-Rogi interprets the same historic theme in her own style. On the right side, Thomas Jefferson stands between the first and current U.S. flags. The inscription “250 Years,” framed by 13 stars, commemorates the anniversary.
The left side depicts the Continental Congress in a larger narrative scene executed in bulino engraving. On the underside, the American eagle and Liberty Bell unite two enduring symbols of national identity, while roses on the trigger guard represent cohesion across regional differences.
Even the serial numbers reference the anniversary, with the receiver marked FSR250USA and the barrel FS/250USA.
These two models demonstrate how craftsmanship can transform material into meaning, preserving history for generations to come.