Here is an easy question: What is the prettiest gun for you to look at?

Any gun my wife is holding

Those I own.

An 1873 Colt Peacemaker patterned revolver. Especially with a color case-hardened frame.

Its not a great picture, but my Luger is the prettiest gun I actually own-
Its been refinished, so the original matte straw-blue has given way to high polish, with accents left in the white. They may have destroyed the collector value, but its quite pleasing to my eye.

As far as rifles go, my lowly first-gen Universal Carbine is quite the looker, with remarkably deep bluing and quite nice wood-

Top break revolvers.... or maybe Derringer’s.... but pocket pistols.... but they have to be small.... but lever guns.... and classic bolts.... speaking of classics, how about a double barrel.... and double rifles....

A couple of beauties in my eyes. Star Super and my converted 1916 Spanish Mauser into a look alike FR-7 in 7.62x39.

Sig 232 in stainless steel.

Overall, I'm function over form. I'd rather have something that does its job well, without a whole bunch superfluous levers, fiddly bits, greebles and nurnies. That doesn't mean it's pleasing of eye, just of design.
When it comes to looks, I'm a fan of polished blue and oiled wood. Old S&W revolvers--when the bluing looked a foot deep--and the sleek lines of a well-cared-for sxs shotgun.
1911s don't seem to have anything distinctly intended for aesthetics, but the basic ones are possessed of divine, purposeful proportion. Mr. Browning had a propensity for creating beauty of function.

1860 Henry

Most any gun made by David McKay Brown. But the round body, trigger plate SxS 20 bore in particular.

http://www.mckaybrown.com/the-side-by-side-gun.html

Revolver - S&W New Model 3
Shotgun - Purdy Double
Rifle - Holland & Holland Double

I really like the lines of the 1911 and of old lever guns.

But for pure sexiness, my Cimarron Arms 1873 Peacemaker or Ruger Bisley are just really pleasing to the eye...

For me, the P08 Luger and the C96 Mauser pistols with wood grips.

Firr milsurp rifles, the M1 Garand and HKG3 and its cousins, especially wearing wood furniture.

For hunting rifles, classic Mauser CRF action in American and Monte Carlo wood hunting stocks, especially those with 18"-22",barrels and full stock (stutzen, Mannlicher) configuration, with iron sights mounted whether the receiver is D&T and / or scope mounted or not. I'm not a general fan of the visual esthetics of the Pig Back / Bavarian style stocks but if the rifle is a full stock variant, and chambered for an effective general non-dangerous game cartridge, there can be a slot for it in my safe. I'm neutral on whether or not a hunting rifle has a Schnabel. None of the rifles I've purchased so far have a Schnabel.

For submachineguns the German Schmeisser MP28 and its cousins (e.g. Lanchester), especially the Steyr Solothurrn S100. Runners up include the PPS43 and the Sterling.

For antitank rifles, the Solothurn S18 - 1000. I recently read that one was used to gain access to rob a bank vault! All these years after I've watched Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges use a significantly more cumbersome Oerlikon light AA gun in Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.

I like “plain” models that have superior fit and finish - to be used and a joy to handle (ie USFA SAA’s, WC CQB, Baer P II, Miroku 1873 Sporter, M70 EW, Browning Citori XS, CZ 75B, etc) - the base models that are used for their more expensive “bells and whistles” models. There is something about a well made/ engineered “Plain Jane” model that attracts me.

Old revolvers with deep blue finishes are what I like to admire. Even well worn blued revolvers I enjoy looking at.

Dang. Like asking the age old question..."Ginger or Maryanne?" It's in the eyes of the beholder and the criteria at the time. The 99 Savage that was my first deer rifle, because the action is so butter smooth slick, the third Gen S&W autos for their ability to get the job done without fanfare, and for straight up good looks, the Ruger Mark IV hunter with the fluted barrel or the bi-tone First gen Springfield EMP, even though it's a pain to tear down to clean.

Not an easy question at all! That said, one of my favorites to the eye is a Ruger No.1 RSI in 7x57 Mauser.

For a handgun … toss-up. Blue steel and wood guy here.

Hokkmike said:

Nice, but can it take down a deer?

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From a couple of miles away with a good spotter.

That I own? My '54 SA Mixmaster Garand (came in '44 wood, '40 bolt, etc.) I love all of the history that the parts have seen, and is great to shoot, too!
Out of everything? Practically any S&W revolver. Don't care as much about blued vs. SS, wood vs. synthetic. I just love the lines and curves. Wish I enjoyed shooting revolvers more, so I could own one.

JohnKSa said:

I've seen some embellished/engraved guns that were really pretty, but I think that usually has more to do with the skill of the person doing the work than it does with how nice the gun itself looks

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True. Worked with a lady a long time ago, she was 60ish in 1973, whose husband had been a gunsmith/engraver and she brought me several pictures of his work. Obviously back then I didn't have a scanner so no pictures are still in my possession, but the engraving and inlay work was superb. The guns, however, were otherwise unremarkable.

As for guns I own, my Python. It was this piece of gun porn in 1974 that motivated me to buy a Python, although the picture on the cover is 4" and mine is 6". Was pleased to see Hutch carry the same gun.

Original Colt 1862 Police

I personally don't own any "pretty guns" because I'll inevitable scratch them. But my favorites to look at would be a tossup between a Hi Power or S&W medium or large frame revolvers, both with a deep blue finish and wood grips.

bassjam said:

I personally don't own any "pretty guns" because I'll inevitable scratch them. But my favorites to look at would be a tossup between a Hi Power or S&W medium or large frame revolvers, both with a deep blue finish and wood grips.

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I don't think holster wear or use scratches detract from the pretty factor of a gun. After all, Marilyn Monroe had that "beauty mark" on her cheek.