Engraved M60 questions....

[Karl in NY]

I'm finding pricing guides all over the place on this...BTW, I'm buying, not selling.

The gun is about 25 years old ("dash" number not yet available) and is unfired in original box. The seller believes it to be "class A" engraving, but due to date of production (1988-1990) could actually be laser engraving, I understand, which apparently has about zero added value...

When I finally get to see the gun, will it be obvious if it's just laser engraved, vs. hand-cut engraving? I have no experience at all with engraved guns.

If it's a laser job, I think I will just pass on it, but "real" engraving" would appeal to me. If it's actually hand-engraved, did S&W engravers typically sign their work in some way, or would a factory letter indicate who the engraver was?

I also realize that if it's "real" engraving, it may not have left the factory in that condition, and the offer to buy it will be long-gone by the time Roy Jinks could respond to me with a factory letter....

thanks-

Karl

 

[thomasinaz]

I'm no engraving expert, but the laser stuff does look quite different than hand engraving. Search for pics of hand engraved and laser engraved revolvers and you should be able to see a difference. I had a nicely engraved 29-2 that I got lettered. Mr. Jinks was able to indicate it was factory engraved, but not who did the engraving. There were engraver's initials under the left upper grip area, and I believe the engravers did usually "sign" their work in a discreet location. Hope this helps some....

 

[bigmoose]

I am sure there are folks here who can help you recognize factory engraved guns vs aftermarket. Such things as location of S&W emblem, coverage and style could be valuable clues. The original box end label should have a notation or whatever signifying engraving and class if it was done at the factory.

Good luck and please post pics if you buy it. We love to see engraved guns.

 

[Karl in NY]

I've taken three tours of the Springfield factory, and one involved a stop in the engraving department...watching the two guys working, it did not look like something I could do eight hours a day, even if I was really good at it, which I probably wouldn't be. It's a very solitary activity with lots of concentration and control obvious. I suspect I would make a lousy tattooist, also. My tours of the plant were work-related, and I think the public tours are abbreviated and don't include the free lunch and hat! After over 3 hours of walking, the cafeteria was was a welcome sight. It looked like a preserved throwback to 1940, so strange after viewing all the new CNC milling stations, but, quaint.

BTW, we had to check all carry guns when entering, and were scanned when leaving, just like all the employees are.

 

[chief38]

If you fancy hand engraving that's fine and is beautiful. To me, laser engraving is a cheap "fake" method and has absolutely no appeal to me at all. I'd sooner have a plain gun than something engraved by a machine or laser - but that's just me....... YMMV

 

[Karl in NY]

I agree. Some of the laser-checkered grips, however, are indistinguishable from hand work, except for being no errors...