Mod60 and Mod66

[TheLowLife]

hello all,

a lot of nice info, guns, and action going on here in the S&W Forum.

Have a few questions concerning custom engraving and machine engraved.
Do some custom engravers have a simple mark they use without putting their name on the revolver?
What are the ways to confirm a machine engraved pistol vs a hand engraved pistol.

That will be all the questions for now. Thanks in advance!

 

[les.b]

Well, I can't answer your question, but let me welcome you to the forum!!! There are lots of experts here who will know all about your subject. Nice looking revolvers!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[murphydog]

S & W has offered two types of engraving, traditional (hand) and laser. The differences between the two are pretty obvious. The two revolvers in the photo are hand engraved, but with factory work there is usually not any signature or mark by the artist.

However, someone here might recognize the coverage and style of engraving on the guns, and may provide you a name if you are able to post close-up photos of both sides.

Edit to add: I am no engraving expert and cannot tell if these are from the factory...

 

[TheLowLife]

the engravings are very, very similar with some minor differences (such as one looks to be engraved all the way to the wooden grips, while the other engraving flows with the lines of the grips). But the depth and with of the engraving looks almost identical.

Also, only one of the pistols are marked on the butt "ENG BY J ADAMS".

Also, trying to find a $$ value on these things are tricky. using gunbroker.com, when I find them the price ranges from 900-1800 a piece. So, I guess for home owner insurance I could value them at 3500.00? but I am curious on what a resemble market price would be. I hate asking, what are these worth, but, what are these worth (lol).

 

[rburg]

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder. Value is from the billfold of the buyer. Guys who don't like engraving won't pay you much. Those of us who do might pay more. Conventional wisdom is factory work is worth more. But anyone who has engraved guns knows the good independent engravers do much better work. The factory hasn't done us any favors by insisting their contract engravers can't mark their work.

My opinion is we should reserve a place on the grip frame for the initials and date of any work done. Maybe better on the right side as the factory is set on defacing the left side with refinish or rework dates.

There are books on the subject of engraving, but some are by a scoundrel known for his work at overpricing things he will get a commission on. Oh, I forgot to mention I don't buy anything he's written these days. He won the lawsuit, but didn't come away unscathed.

If the OP is really interested, he can begin attending large gun shows where engraved guns are offered for sale. You look with your eyes, not with your fingers. Especially if you're eating popcorn with salt. If you want to make friends, bring along white cotton gloves and show them before you ask to handle a gun.

 

[TheLowLife]

there is a gun show this weekend, me and the revolvers will most likely attend!

 

[sbrmike]

One word: Wow! Make that two: Nice!!!

 

[JP@AK]

"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."



What a great line, Dick. I'll have to remember that one!!!

 

[TheLowLife]

so after taking the grips off of the 66, I did find a "J.Adams" engraving mark.