I am interested in an engraved gun.

jaykellogg

jaykellogg

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The thread on bucket guns got me thinking that I would like to have an engraved gun. S&W offers three types of engraving. 1) laser etching, 2) machine engraving, and 3) hand engraving. The first two are rather low cost, but the third will run the cost of a gun up several times its (plain) value. S&W offers new model 29-10 four inch with tasteful machine engraving for MSRP of $1100 I have located a like new used one for (a lot) less than that. I could buy that gun without killing the budget too badly. Should I hold out for a hand engraved gun.

What are your feelings on third party engraved guns? I have a Colt Trooper .22 that would look nice engraved. I could have it engraved locally or possibly send it back to the Colt factory.
 
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I like mine engraved...Have had several commissioned over the years.

Will Look for a picture here in a bit....


I carry 'em, shoot 'em and enjoy this thing called life. ;)


Five inch 1950 Target .44 Special
5inch195044spl.jpg



Model 27-2 3 1/2" converted to .44 Special and engraved,
SWEngraved1.jpg



The Subject of ; http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/92205-44-spl-scapegoat-mtn-bull.html
SW44Conv2-1.jpg


Colt SAA .44 Special,
ColtSAA44SPL040-1.jpg




EngravedRevolvers002.jpg




Su Amigo,
Dave
 
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So far I have seen some beautiful guns. I am going to put the idea of a machine engraved gun on the back burner and look at hand engraving. I have a Trooper MK III .22 rimfire that is used very little I would like to get engraved. I contacted Jeff Flannery by email to see what the cost would be.

Question, do you shoot your engraved guns?
 
I really think that some of the S&W factory engraving is inferior to that done by some outside engravers. If you find a gun engraved by a master like John Warren, Lynton McKenzie, etc., you will know what good engraving should be. You will probably also be shocked at the price, although some lesser known engravers have done good work and the guns cost less. It's like buying a real R.W. Loveless knife or a good copy by another maker. Ken Hunt did some fine work for Purdey, H&H, etc.

I'd avoid etched or similar "engraving." I suppose it's decoration, but it seems cheap and gaudy to me, Fine hand wortk is the answer.

You can buy some Merkel amd Beretta guns that come with superb engraving.

Whether I'd carry an engraved gun depends on the gold inlays, if any, the overall value of the gun, whether it was bought mainly as art, etc. I would not carry the factory-engraved guns sometimes seen here, like the one with the tiger inlay or the gold polar bear inlay. They are part of S&W history and should be preserved as such.

Elmer Keith carried engraved guns. A white hunter had an ornate S&W. But I haven't encountered anyone else who carried a really fancy gun, other than some Texas Rangers when they were dressed to impress.
 
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Good idea to save your shekels and go with the hand engraving. Laser engraving is a waste of time and money. I don't know what machine engraving is like. I do know what hand engraving is and you will be much happier with it in the short and long run.

Do I shoot my engraved piece? Absolutely! I shoot and CARRY mine (engraved by the same man that did SaxonPig's gun, Michael Gouse). Life is too short to leave the nice ones sitting in the dark of the safe 24/7.

This picture does not do the engraving justice.

engravedmodel36.jpg
 
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The "deep cut look" was pioneered by Ben Shostle. Ben had a vision problem near the end and had to quit his work. His guns were distinctive in the depth of the cuts. I've got an early post war K22 that looks for all the world like his work, but we can't find any marks to ID it. Doesn't matter, its a keeper.

I've liked engraved guns for a long time now. Notice they always haven't been in favor here. Smithnut hated them, and wasn't shy about telling us. I've had and sold a bunch of them over the years. Usually to finance others. Because of my liking them so much, I tend to look at every one I see at gun shows.

There seem to be two types of guns that are engraved. One is a special gun that served its owner well. Usually a retired LEO that just wants to embellish a loved old partner. And then the other type, a gun bought for the purpose of getting engraved.

I'm not sure how anyone can really envision what a gun will look like after getting it engraved without looking at a bunch of them in person. I'm personally disposed to inlayed guns. Those are pretty much covered with engraving, but include gold or silver ornamentation. Long ago I gave up commissioning such art work. I prefer to see the finished product as I'm buying it (or not). I can say that I don't really like stainless guns that have engraving. It does dress them up a bit, but its not enough. I've only got one factory engraved gun at the present time. Compared to the aftermarket artists, the factory work isn't very good. They usually have a very light touch, like they're afraid of the steel.

So my advice is simple, go to gun shows, look at the guns offered for sale. It won't take you long to find a style you prefer. Then don't be bashful. If you've done your homework, you'll have a good idea what the engraving will cost you if you have it done to your own gun. And you should know the value of that gun. Usually you can buy a gun already finished for less than you can buy a gun and pay for the engraving. And you don't have to wait for it.
 
Always liked them. Took advice similar to that above; bought various books on engraved Winchesters and Colts, and the Meeks book on engraving, and studied the photos with a magnifying glass. Same thing when I saw engraved pieces at a gun show or anywhere else. I did my homework, and it paid off. Like the man says, there is engraving--and there is engraving.

Also knew an up-and-coming engraver in those same years. He did some minor work for me and a couple of fancier jobs for retirement guns in my office. I finally got to the point where, when I pulled the cash together, I pretty well knew what I wanted in an engraved 1911. I had a decent 1913 production one and we finally made up our minds on what we were going to do. Full coverage, gold line inlays, ivories, cased. It's loverly.

Someday I have GOT to master posting pictures...

As for the money--buy a cheaper car, drive it longer, whatever. Nothing has the elegance of a beautifully engraved gun.
 
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