No offense but I never heard of you or your shop. Wouldn't mind the marks if it was someone I heard of. Maybe you are famous in your neck of the woods. If I have to explain who you are to someone they won't be buying in. I guess others will try to explain who you are and why I should know. I'm willing to be educated. Again take no offense but consider that there are many like me who need to know more.
Gunsmith marks on guns
- Thread starter BMCM
- Start date
Nope, yep. I am going to beat a DEAD HORSE.
Marking your work IS an option. I would almost expect it, when you do work for me, and I would appreciate it. Most of these responders will NEVER have you work on their precious pistols.
Keep that in mind.
Again, a far stretch for this "conversation", but even "The Hairy Tick" Mike Bellm marks his stuff, and I'm glad he did.
Jim
Marking your work IS an option. I would almost expect it, when you do work for me, and I would appreciate it. Most of these responders will NEVER have you work on their precious pistols.
Keep that in mind.
Again, a far stretch for this "conversation", but even "The Hairy Tick" Mike Bellm marks his stuff, and I'm glad he did.
Jim
Attachments
Ingramite
Member
If I were offered the option, I would elect to have my firearm returned unmarked.
I do understand and appreciate the fact that a famous logo on a custom gun would help to recoup costs of modification if the weapon was sold later. However, my current station in life is not likely to bestow the opportunity to enjoy that problem.
A totally unrelated remark about marking guns.
I was required to mark any gun that I took into evidence so that I could identify it in court, should the need arise. Ok, I understand all of that is done with computer records and serial numbers now. I'm talking a long time ago.
I was always respectful enough to place "my mark" under a grip. I can't say that for some of the guys who I worked with. A Buck knife can make a hell of a scar on a pot metal popper.
I do understand and appreciate the fact that a famous logo on a custom gun would help to recoup costs of modification if the weapon was sold later. However, my current station in life is not likely to bestow the opportunity to enjoy that problem.
A totally unrelated remark about marking guns.
I was required to mark any gun that I took into evidence so that I could identify it in court, should the need arise. Ok, I understand all of that is done with computer records and serial numbers now. I'm talking a long time ago.
I was always respectful enough to place "my mark" under a grip. I can't say that for some of the guys who I worked with. A Buck knife can make a hell of a scar on a pot metal popper.
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Dieseltech56
Member
Most of what I like is either factory or looks like the way the factory should have done it. Say I get a barrel swap and action job on a revolver I'd prefer to have no markings at all.
I must be REALLY cranky old goat. I make the dealership take their logo off. Actually, I try to get them to not put it on in the first place.
But I'm with the others who say that if the gun is "worked on" - not just repaired - and the owner agrees then a small trademark in a hidden location is just fine. Make sure you register the trademark.
But I'm with the others who say that if the gun is "worked on" - not just repaired - and the owner agrees then a small trademark in a hidden location is just fine. Make sure you register the trademark.
Number0neGun
Member
I prefer gunsmith markings as long as they're tasteful and unobtrusive.
I wish Springfield Armory Custom Shop had marked my Colt on the dust cover or something.
I wish Springfield Armory Custom Shop had marked my Colt on the dust cover or something.
Dieseltech56
Member
Next time I work on an engine I'm going to engrave my name somewhere under the hood 
silversport
Member
when I had work done to my pistols, my guy asked if I wanted his logo laser etched and I said I thought an artist should sign his work...but the choice is yours...
Bill
Bill
bigggbbruce
Member
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 still like under the grip though
4506517
Member
I think two small crossed anchors would be really cool.
I'd want that mark on my 3rd gen.
I'd want that mark on my 3rd gen.
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
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
Big Shrek
Member
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.
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.
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TheRealDeal
Member
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.
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.
Photog
Member
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?
John Hancock
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.
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.
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.
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.
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