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, Marlin Firearms and Stevens Arms.
[2][3][4] 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.
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.