Gunsmith marks on guns
- Thread starter BMCM
- Start date
Big Shrek
Member
I feel compelled to speak up here. I had no idea I'd stir up such a can of worms by asking a question. Not to mention the snark and vitriol I've read.
I merely wanted to know if, and I mean IF a customer is ok with me applying a hidden trademark. Where would one like me to hide the hidden mark. I thought to have made my stance on visible trademarks quite clear in my original post.
Perhaps I failed to make my motives clear. What came to mind was some hack job I've never seen showing up on GB with a fraudulent claim that I did the work. Yes I keep detailed records but that wouldn't stop such a fraudulent claim from being made/posted in the first place. Than again maybe I'm overthinking things. Anyway...nevermind... Just forget it
Good thing it's bench press day.
Cheers
Bill
To an extent, it's a heated debate anyway, so you're just stuck with the mess.
I prefer no markings, but short of receipts, it's the ONLY way to prove
that a qualified individual has done work to a particular firearm.
So if I pulled a grip on a used gun and found a nice Mark or even a laser-etch there,
it would sooth my mind, especially if the mark was easily traceable.
Possibly the best of both world would be to put it on your Order Form,
Check Box for NO MARKING, otherwise you're getting a MARK under yer grip.
Put it in Big Bold Script. That'd cover all the bases nicely.
I guess this means he refused to work on them after he died?
(Sorry, I just couldn't resist).
Mike,
I understand. There were many days that Bill and I spent in his yard analyzing why a given arm wasn't working as designed. I wish that there was a way to get a gun into the after life so he could work on it. Bill was a very good man and fair. Sadly, there isn't a 'smith near by that I would trust any of my guns to for repairs. I now drive 4 hours one way to have repairs completed that are beyond my skill level.
Bill,
I did not mean to offend you. When I read your original post, I read it as repairs, not custom work.
When I contract a shop ('smith) to perform custom work, I believe that some subtle mark would be made to identify the origin of the customization. If I sent a 1911 to Clark for an accuracy job, or a revolver to Chou for a modification, I would want their Mark on my arm. Custom work is one thing, repairs are a totally different story.
I did not mean to offend you. When I read your original post, I read it as repairs, not custom work.
When I contract a shop ('smith) to perform custom work, I believe that some subtle mark would be made to identify the origin of the customization. If I sent a 1911 to Clark for an accuracy job, or a revolver to Chou for a modification, I would want their Mark on my arm. Custom work is one thing, repairs are a totally different story.
vigil617
US Veteran
I feel compelled to speak up here. I had no idea I'd stir up such a can of worms by asking a question. Not to mention the snark and vitriol I've read.
I merely wanted to know if, and I mean IF a customer is ok with me applying a hidden trademark. Where would one like me to hide the hidden mark. I thought to have made my stance on visible trademarks quite clear in my original post.
Perhaps I failed to make my motives clear. What came to mind was some hack job I've never seen showing up on GB with a fraudulent claim that I did the work. Yes I keep detailed records but that wouldn't stop such a fraudulent claim from being made/posted in the first place. Than again maybe I'm overthinking things. Anyway...nevermind... Just forget it
Good thing it's bench press day.
Cheers
Bill
Hope you were able to "press" the negativity away so you can focus on the positive responses to your post, Master Chief. I thought your original post was crystal clear. Some folks will take any opportunity to drag out the soap box and climb up on it, regardless of the thread drift and parade-raining it causes. Don't worry about it. Maintain course and speed, I say.
nocents
Member
I voted inside dust cover for the same reasons as vigil.......if and when you do any work on MY firearms please put your logo there
flagman1776
Member
My Remington Rand 1911A1 has S&W sights by Austin Behlert back in the 1985 but there's no signature. Just my word.
https://s26.postimg.cc/t9w49yj6x/IMG_2790.jpg
https://s26.postimg.cc/t9w49yj6x/IMG_2790.jpg
gwpercle
Member
If I pay a talented craftsman a whole bunch of money and he does beautiful work and makes my gun shoot one hole groups...you better believe I want to see his name prominently displayed .
Would you remove the hood ornament and badges from a Jaguar sports car....heck no , you want everyone to know exactly what you're driving !
Would you remove the hood ornament and badges from a Jaguar sports car....heck no , you want everyone to know exactly what you're driving !
29aholic
Member
In the old days, and still may be the case, watch makers marked their initials (or whatever) and date in VERY small font on the inside of the cover of the watch.
If it's a repair job I would say no mark. If it is something custom, then I think the mark is warranted. I had a custom 700 Remington done for me by a guy in Virginia. His logo is a set of crosshairs with a raven in the center and Raven Rifle next to it. He did ask me if he could put it on the rifle. I replied "If you are confident in your work, go right ahead" meaning whether the gun was a laser or grouped like a shotgun his name was going to be out there. The mark is there and the gun is a laser.
If it's a repair job I would say no mark. If it is something custom, then I think the mark is warranted. I had a custom 700 Remington done for me by a guy in Virginia. His logo is a set of crosshairs with a raven in the center and Raven Rifle next to it. He did ask me if he could put it on the rifle. I replied "If you are confident in your work, go right ahead" meaning whether the gun was a laser or grouped like a shotgun his name was going to be out there. The mark is there and the gun is a laser.
JohnHL
Member
Hi, Bill!
IMHO, the mark you make or where it is located is between you and your customers.
My question is how you intend to DO the marking?
Laser? Hand stamp? Hand engraved?
You have expressed an interest in owning the technology you apply, but some of these marking methods require a substantial investment.
So that's my question.
Not why, but how?
(I guess I'm more involved in the mechanics than the aesthetics.)
John?
IMHO, the mark you make or where it is located is between you and your customers.
My question is how you intend to DO the marking?
Laser? Hand stamp? Hand engraved?
You have expressed an interest in owning the technology you apply, but some of these marking methods require a substantial investment.
So that's my question.
Not why, but how?
(I guess I'm more involved in the mechanics than the aesthetics.)
John?
OP
Hi John,
I'm seeking a quote for a custom hand stamp right now....I liked dacoontz' anchor suggestion so I will try a variation on that... Little tiny crossed anchors no bigger than .125 x .125. I'll try it on a couple of my own guns to see what it looks like. I don't have laser cnc engraving machinery and am not interest in messing about with chemical etching or electropen, too messy/sloppy. As too where?... the blue spot in the pic is where I'm thinkin'
Cheers
Bill
I'm seeking a quote for a custom hand stamp right now....I liked dacoontz' anchor suggestion so I will try a variation on that... Little tiny crossed anchors no bigger than .125 x .125. I'll try it on a couple of my own guns to see what it looks like. I don't have laser cnc engraving machinery and am not interest in messing about with chemical etching or electropen, too messy/sloppy. As too where?... the blue spot in the pic is where I'm thinkin'
Cheers
Bill
Attachments
29aholic
Member
OP
A receipt means more then a mark. After all, what does a mark really tell you other then the marker worked on the gun?
The first suggestion of an anchor was in post 2 of this thread!
I say that the mark means a lot. I'll share a tale of three mindblowing revolvers and how it occurs to me.
All three are purpose built PPC competition guns that were likely worked on at some point between late 70's and mid-80's. First one is a 1956 S&W pre-Model 10, it looks exactly like every other blued PPC rig from that period, it's customizer is unknown and he left absolutely no mark unless it is under the side plate that I have not removed.
Gun #2 was born a stainless Ruger Police Service Six, but the shop of the legendary Bill Davis installed a 6-inch stainless Python barrel, a Millett adjustable rear sight and a completely inspired trigger job that would make any Ruger fan cry. Davis marked the frame with a very catchy and prominently placed logo and the fact that the revolver has YEARS of obvious heavy competition use is the likely reason that I found it so affordable.
Gun #3 was also fully customized for PPC by a true legend. It's a mid 1960's Model 10 (going from memory if I am not mistaken) and every single detail of the work matches right down to the exact minute detail of what Travis Strahan did to PPC revolvers. Except... Strahan did not sign the right side of the barrel at the muzzle as was his custom.
All three spur my emotion. The first revolver is the finest of the three and while it will NEVER have the "value" or marketability of a Colt Python, the double action trigger stroke would ANGER anyone who ever spent (2018) Python money to get the Python trigger. Whatever your guess is about how it might feel, it's better. And yes, only Federal small pistol primers need apply.
Gun #2 is interesting, a cool sign of the times and pure pleasure to shoot. The Davis logo is the cherry on top and I love it.
Gun #3 has an aura because it is the work of a legend that our hobby was blessed with, but it frustrates me that I don't get to see his electro-pencil signature. I can only imagine that the original owner requested it be left off.
My position on this subject is obvious but what may be a little more obvious now is that it isn't a knee-jerk response, I have a lot of thought in to the question.
When you order a Lone Wolf replacement Glock barrel, it arrives with a Wolf logo that looks like a canine with a methamphetamine problem. For an extra $20, you can get it without the frothing cartoon wolf. If I had a 3rd Gen that was transformed by the BMCM shop, I would ask for a slick and classy logo added to the work, but I would want it somewhere that I could see it without removing anything including the slide or grip(s).
I say that the mark means a lot. I'll share a tale of three mindblowing revolvers and how it occurs to me.
All three are purpose built PPC competition guns that were likely worked on at some point between late 70's and mid-80's. First one is a 1956 S&W pre-Model 10, it looks exactly like every other blued PPC rig from that period, it's customizer is unknown and he left absolutely no mark unless it is under the side plate that I have not removed.
Gun #2 was born a stainless Ruger Police Service Six, but the shop of the legendary Bill Davis installed a 6-inch stainless Python barrel, a Millett adjustable rear sight and a completely inspired trigger job that would make any Ruger fan cry. Davis marked the frame with a very catchy and prominently placed logo and the fact that the revolver has YEARS of obvious heavy competition use is the likely reason that I found it so affordable.
Gun #3 was also fully customized for PPC by a true legend. It's a mid 1960's Model 10 (going from memory if I am not mistaken) and every single detail of the work matches right down to the exact minute detail of what Travis Strahan did to PPC revolvers. Except... Strahan did not sign the right side of the barrel at the muzzle as was his custom.
All three spur my emotion. The first revolver is the finest of the three and while it will NEVER have the "value" or marketability of a Colt Python, the double action trigger stroke would ANGER anyone who ever spent (2018) Python money to get the Python trigger. Whatever your guess is about how it might feel, it's better. And yes, only Federal small pistol primers need apply.
Gun #2 is interesting, a cool sign of the times and pure pleasure to shoot. The Davis logo is the cherry on top and I love it.
Gun #3 has an aura because it is the work of a legend that our hobby was blessed with, but it frustrates me that I don't get to see his electro-pencil signature. I can only imagine that the original owner requested it be left off.
My position on this subject is obvious but what may be a little more obvious now is that it isn't a knee-jerk response, I have a lot of thought in to the question.
When you order a Lone Wolf replacement Glock barrel, it arrives with a Wolf logo that looks like a canine with a methamphetamine problem. For an extra $20, you can get it without the frothing cartoon wolf. If I had a 3rd Gen that was transformed by the BMCM shop, I would ask for a slick and classy logo added to the work, but I would want it somewhere that I could see it without removing anything including the slide or grip(s).
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Yes, indeed!
Add one more cranky old goat to the list. I also took the dealer propaganda off my car...However, I did not go the extra mile and remove the manufacturer's logos. That would have left scars.
Add one more cranky old goat to the list. I also took the dealer propaganda off my car...However, I did not go the extra mile and remove the manufacturer's logos. That would have left scars.
I'd like a custom conversion or significant custom work to be marked. How often to we see people on here trying to piece together the history of some firearm or another? Give the customer an option to not have it marked and everyone should be happy.
Good luck with the new venture.
Good luck with the new venture.
JohnHL
Member
Well then you might just seek a quantity discount for multiple stamps because from the response I've seen here, you're going to be wearing out a number of them.
Good "Smith"ing, Chief.
John
flagman1776
Member
I have had custom blackpowder guns built & I had the makers sign them. `Nuff Said.
jakebrake
Member
I am more than happy than to let a gunsmith put markings all over a weapon I own. That is provided, that they pay for it. They buy my gun, they can put their trademark all over it with my blessing. I feel the same way about buying a car. Oh, you didn't pay for it? Then I don't want your Insignia on it.
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