As a pro mechanic, every time I rebuilt a motor I keyed my initials in the hood. What..??

Thinking of this any shop wanting to sign their work to me is a shop that stands behind that work and is proud of it. They all should be but this is just that added little incentive that lets me know the smith is proud of what he does

I still like under the grip though

I think two small crossed anchors would be really cool.

I'd want that mark on my 3rd gen.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

BMCM Please put whatever mark you choose to show your craftsmanship right on the slide of every one of the many guns I am going to send you.

I am grateful that you are offering your fine skills to those of us who still carry and use 3rd gen guns, daily and for serious purpose.

And personally I am quite proud to be one of the fortunate folks who have guns you have worked on. Thank you sir, for your time, talent and obvious unlimited supply of patience! Best regards, 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Well, two crossed anchors wouldn't look bad on the Barrel itself,
on the Above or Below the Caliber stamp

Y'know, because, Reasons

Attached Images

23244419_1446751852112607_5961079114404831822_n.jpg (71.5 KB, 129 views)

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Marlin & Calico Specialist

Marking others property just requires discussing that with them.
Some may want you to make the mark so it is visible.
Coming up with something special for you/them might be great.

Violins, cellos etc.......big buck fiddles, dating back to the later 1600’s have some modest and rather large signatures from my experience.
I think our Founders must have peeked into a fiddle or two based on their marks..... or not as polite ..... Hancock is a copycat.

Amen brother...
If it's not important, click somewhere else and move right along...

As for my opinion on the marking of one's work, I tend to agree with lrrifleman. The quality of work should serve as a good gunsmith's signature.

I bought a very nice model 19 2 ½” revolver from a Korean War vet several years ago. After the war, he lived and did security work in San Francisco.
When I opened the cylinder, I noticed the name “CHOW” stamped on the frame. I assumed that Bob Chow had tuned this revolver. Bob Chow had his shop in San Francisco.
I thought this marking was a rather cool addition to a great revolver. Never gave it much thought after that.

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Ken

I personally think it should be up to the customer. The smith should ask if a customer is all right with a mark, either large or small, hidden or readily visible. Think of it this way, what if you had, say, and original Shelby 427SC Cobra restored. Would you have any problem with the restorer making a large, maybe gaudy, unremovable mark on the fender, hood, trunk lid, doors, or anywhere else?

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Have Canon, Will Travel

Inasmuch as I restored a Shelby Ford Mustang, I actually believe Photog makes an excellent point, mainly because the fellow who restored my engine is someone about whom I now think little and wouldn't care for anyone else to direct to me an inquiry about him arising from his "mark" being somewhere found in the engine compartment.

Still, I am unopposed to a restorer - especially someone well known and celebrated as such - putting a reasonable mark on one of my guns, as has happened with a Model 39 I acquired after the restoration because its presence has motivated others to offer a premium for the M39 that bears his initials.

Lastly: Other animals do it, right? I'd rather have a signature, if you catch my drift.

According to JohnHancock.com: "The popular legend states that he signed his name bigger than everyone else’s so that the 'fat old King could read it without his spectacles.' The fact is that as the president of the Continental Congress he was the first person to sign the document and because he was the leader of Congress his signature was centered below the text. According to the National Archives it was customary that other delegates began to sign at the right below the text in geographical order according to the states they represent. The northernmost state, New Hampshire began and ended with Georgia, the southernmost."

Later.

I honestly can say having the "smiths" "mark" on my gun would be a badge of honor and could only add value to said firearm knowing a competent gunsmith has work on it and done quality work just my 2 Penny's

Unmarked is my preference. I lucked into an old Kings 1911 that had a small repair needed and it needed a new finish. Had. Met a new to my area gunsmith and I told him exactly what I wanted. Couple of months later he called. Went to pick it up and had been heavily reworked. He wanted to show me what he could do. Had his logo on it as well. Never got a bit of work out of me again. Gun was sold within a month because it wasn't what I wanted even though work was actually excellent. I heard of him doing same thing to other guys guns. Within a year he was gone. If he had asked that would have been ok, particularly since his work was good, very good actually. Best practice is ask your customer.

Unless it's the logo of a custom gun maker, e.g., "Tussey Custom, "Wilson Combat", etc., or a routine marking from the factory, I don't want anybody gratuitously putting their mark on my gun.

We bought a new car last year and they asked if they could but a "dealer" licence plate on the front. I asked how much they would pay me to advertise for them.......no license plate...

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

Austin Behlert added S&W sights to my 1911 slide. Sadly, there's no mark to show who did the work though I'm told the way the sight is dovetailed right behind the ejection port is an indicator of his technique.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

I remember the first time I stripped down an old Colt .45 1911 and found Jim Clark’s name and year inscribed on the center Rail of the slide. I had no idea what I had bought until then. I just new it would cut the x-ring at 50 yards better than my reworked Gold Cup. I ended up liking the grip stippling too, another of his trademarks his son still uses.

I VOTE FOR A DISCREET MAKER’S MARK