Going back a ways, most all factorys would tell the engravers they were not allowed to sign the work they did for that company. A factory engraved Colt/Winchester/etc was considered engraved by Colt or Winchester,,not by John the engraver who worked for the company. That was the mind set for a long time and even today continues some what. The policy was subject to change over the years and depended on who was in charge, who the particular engraver was, etc. The marketing and dollar value of a 'name' engraver is well documented, but that fact has not always been too clear to the gun industry it seems. There have been exceptions though. It is more common to find a signed factory piece done in the last 40 years than the time prior. Some of the older engravers used to sneak a tiny signiture, initial or mark into the engraving sometimes if they weren't supposed to sign it. Just trying to beat the system that's telling you 'you can't do that'. A great number of the factory engraved pieces are and were done by out workers and not 'in house'. Factory letters if available will confirm the engraving if originaly done by the company and in some cases will give the engravers name. Colt will give the engravers name in alot of cases on recently done guns (late 60's / 70's and newer from the then expanded custom shop)
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