Engraving

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MMA10mm

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If you were wanting to get your S&W engraved, who/where would you send it?

I have several possible S&Ws to get engraved. I'm thinking stainless AND blued are possibilities. Don't want to spend 5x what a new pistol costs, but would be willing to spend some coin to get nice engraving done...
 
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The factory does nice work, I had 1 done a few years ago. But it's very expensive. You won't every get your money back but it's a one of a kind-personal, customizing thing to spend money on. I wouldn't have your name engraved on it, it could be harder to pawn off later, unless of course your famous.:p
 
I have never had a gun engraved and do not seek to collect them, however, I do have nine engraved 357s spanning the whole spectrum from prewar to internal lock. From this I have a pretty good feel for engraving and know what I like. The S&W factory will do fantastic engraving, but there are many other engravers whose work you should consider. Before you buy look at different styles and discover what you like. I like complex deep engraving, with larger design elements swirling over and under each other, as opposed to shallow lines and tiny elements that look to me like a carpet. I like gold inlay (adds big money), especially animals. Know that it also takes time, months, maybe years depending on your selection and how busy the engraver is. Check out Firearms Engravers Guild of America at Firearms Engravers Guild of America Home Page. To bad they had their annual show a couple weeks ago, for $20.00 you could have seen all kinds of great work. You might consider getting yourself a copy of Artistry in Arms, The Guns of Smith & Wesson by Roy Jinks, and/or Steel Canvas by R.L. Wilson.
 
Thanks guys. I've contemplated an engraved gun in the past and I believe it's cheaper to buy a gun that has already been engraved rather than having the engraving done.

What got me back on the idea of getting engraving done was watching The Shootist with John Wayne last night. He has a pair of engraved SAAs (I believe they are actually Great Westerns, but that's beside the point), and I thought - you know, every real gun lover should have a blued-steel, engraved, ivory-gripped handgun.

I REALLY liked the way when Wayne was handling those pistols that the engraving could be seen even without close-up inspection. I believe that is because they were deeply relief-engraved.

I've looked at patterns quite a bit, and while I respect the fine detail of traditional Germanic patterns, I don't really care for the oak leaves and nuts in the pattern... I prefer scroll engraving as far as form. I also like the fineness of the patterns that Nitzshke did for Colt back in the 1800s, but I bet that fine of work wouldn't show up real well from a distance, like the Duke's guns did.

Also, I'm thinking I want the engraving on a gun I'll carry, so I'm contemplating the possibility of getting a Stainless S&W engraved, even though I like the traditional blued. I guess I still have more questions than answers in my own head...
 
Take a look at Michael Gouse. We have had him do several 1911 slides that were for custom guns. His prices are very reasonable, his work is good and his turn around time is not too bad.

Three Styles of Engraving, Query

His website has examples of the various styles that he does. He also always has a small number of engraved firearms for sale. Though there are no S&Ws at the moment.
 
Jeff Flannery did this .38 Super 1911A1 for me last year. His prices, I felt, were very reasonable, and the turn around time was better than I had imagined.

http://www.flannerygunengraving.com/

191138002.jpg
 
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This mdl.66-1 is class A factory engraved.still n.i.b.I bought this
6/23/1979 $995.00 plus tax.I screwed up a nice set of grips by putting
in the silver in the grips.
Dick
SmithWesson010.jpg
 
Thank you everyone! These are some really good tips. I knew there'd be some guys here who had already done the research!

colt_saa said:
Take a look at Michael Gouse. We have had him do several 1911 slides that were for custom guns. His prices are very reasonable, his work is good and his turn around time is not too bad.

Three Styles of Engraving, Query

His website has examples of the various styles that he does. He also always has a small number of engraved firearms for sale. Though there are no S&Ws at the moment.
Click to expand...

I really like this guy. His prices are very reasonable. I'll be calling him on Monday! MUCH less than the cost of a couple new guns, he'll do one. So reasonable in price, I might get a pair made up!
 
MMA10mm said:
What got me back on the idea of getting engraving done was watching The Shootist with John Wayne last night. He has a pair of engraved SAAs (I believe they are actually Great Westerns, but that's beside the point), and I thought - you know, every real gun lover should have a blued-steel, engraved, ivory-gripped handgun.
Well now Sir,
I also enjoy a nice pair...

EngravedRevolvers002.jpg


And of course they're .44 Specials

Su Amigo,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Oh Dave! Those are beautiful!! Fine looking!

Who did the engraving on them?
 
I would echo Jeff Flannery, does good work.
Looks like he might have got hold of those 44 specials too!
 
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