Question for those with engraving expertise
I have never been a huge fan of engraved guns, possibly because I have really never seen a good one, or one that I thought I would just have to own. For those of you with expertise with engraved firearms could you show me some examples of what you guys consider to be guns that are nicely engraved, but not overly-elaborate if that is the correct terminology to use? Preferably photos of a Colt SAA; a Marlin 1895; and of an O/U or SxS shotgun. Thanks in advance.
*EDIT* - The following post was moved and placed here to conserve on posting limit of 10. quote:quote:Originally posted by givette
Pauline (Muerrle) will have Winchester specific information. And she's published. Best to get her book.
Now, for the others, get S&W book volume III, and a good Colt historical book (others will tell you where to channel your money), and, of course, the Flayderman's Guide to Antique Firearms.
As you can see, we'll respond to requests on individual firearms by showing you photos, etc. We'll be doing so from the books mentioned earlier in my post. How about doing a forums search on "engraving"??
Best, Joe
Joe - Thanks for the response. Maybe I didn't state the question correctly, so I will try it again. This is not a post where I am looking to purchase an engraved gun. As I stated previously I have never been a real big fan of engraved guns. This is a post asking what an expert in engraving (i.e. Pauline) would consider a nicely engraved gun to look like. I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I suspect Pauline has a very developed eye/preference/taste in gun engraving where I never have, and for that matter probably never will.
Over the years I have seen various engraved guns ranging from almost every square centimeter of the surface of the gun engraved to engraving only limited select areas on the gun. I was seeking her opinion, or for that matter anyone else with her level of expertise, as to what they would consider a nicely engraved gun to look like?
FYI - I did a search on engraved guns before I posted this post and I did not find one that covers the topic for which I was attempting to gain information and insight on. I do understand that she is an expert with Winchester firearms; however, I assumed she also likes other engraved firearms and hoped she might have some photos of them she could share that she likes. If I have made the wrong assumption here, then I apologize. I removed her name in the title so as not to direct this post towards her for this information. Sorry for the transgression.Thanks to everyone for all the information provided. This is the kind of information I was hoping for. I would also appreciate seeing examples of what you guys like and why.
Tailgunner, Dean, and nononsense - Thanks for all the examples. From the photos, I think my tastes may trend toward game scenes to Discreet Simplicity.
*EDIT* I found this article on the web. I found it to be very informative. http://www.armchairgunshow.com/engraved_guns.htm
*EDIT*nononsense - I finally looked at your signature line. It looks like our tastes maybe similar.
*EDIT* - The following post was moved and placed here to conserve on posting limit of 10. quote:quote:Originally posted by givette
Pauline (Muerrle) will have Winchester specific information. And she's published. Best to get her book.
Now, for the others, get S&W book volume III, and a good Colt historical book (others will tell you where to channel your money), and, of course, the Flayderman's Guide to Antique Firearms.
As you can see, we'll respond to requests on individual firearms by showing you photos, etc. We'll be doing so from the books mentioned earlier in my post. How about doing a forums search on "engraving"??
Best, Joe
Joe - Thanks for the response. Maybe I didn't state the question correctly, so I will try it again. This is not a post where I am looking to purchase an engraved gun. As I stated previously I have never been a real big fan of engraved guns. This is a post asking what an expert in engraving (i.e. Pauline) would consider a nicely engraved gun to look like. I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I suspect Pauline has a very developed eye/preference/taste in gun engraving where I never have, and for that matter probably never will.
Over the years I have seen various engraved guns ranging from almost every square centimeter of the surface of the gun engraved to engraving only limited select areas on the gun. I was seeking her opinion, or for that matter anyone else with her level of expertise, as to what they would consider a nicely engraved gun to look like?
FYI - I did a search on engraved guns before I posted this post and I did not find one that covers the topic for which I was attempting to gain information and insight on. I do understand that she is an expert with Winchester firearms; however, I assumed she also likes other engraved firearms and hoped she might have some photos of them she could share that she likes. If I have made the wrong assumption here, then I apologize. I removed her name in the title so as not to direct this post towards her for this information. Sorry for the transgression.Thanks to everyone for all the information provided. This is the kind of information I was hoping for. I would also appreciate seeing examples of what you guys like and why.
Tailgunner, Dean, and nononsense - Thanks for all the examples. From the photos, I think my tastes may trend toward game scenes to Discreet Simplicity.
*EDIT* I found this article on the web. I found it to be very informative. http://www.armchairgunshow.com/engraved_guns.htm
*EDIT*nononsense - I finally looked at your signature line. It looks like our tastes maybe similar.
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Here's a photo of some of Rodger Kehr's work, on a 1892 Winchester receiver (the yellow border is 24k gold) 
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Hello BOOMERANG I think you made an honest mistakes not a transgression to Whom you originally posted your question toward. However IMHO long story short "Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder" IMHO gun engraving can and does run from the ugly and Crude to a work of art. But just like Music or Picture ART there are many styles and what pleases one person may not someone else. I think if you could watch a high grade engraver practicing his craft then you would appreciate the time and skill to turn steel into ART. Keep looking at different types of guns with different styles of engraving and one day you may find that one that "KNOCKS YOUR SOCKS OFF" Go to a quality gun show Like the ones at Louisville KY or the OGCA in Ohio and you will see a wide range of collector grade engraved guns.Perry Shooter.
EDIT Boomerang Sorry I am not smart enough to post pictures on the forum side of gunbroker but another place to look at some nice engraved guns is online at Cabela's Gun Library look at fine Shot Guns Rifles and even some Colt and other pistols.0 -
http://airgraver.com/video.htm has quite a few videos of a master engraver at work. 0 -
Any answer or response to the question is going to 'subjective' which is to say a matter of perception or interpretation by the responder. You specified gun engraving, but if your question was about paintings of horses you can imagine the extent of variation or imaginaion.
Even if you can confine it to gun engraving, there are many issues involved. Art or skill? I have seen some rather poor engraving in terms of technique and skill that presented a pleasant artistic product. Is it really about the engraving at all or is it about how effectively it enhances the gun?
What defines the ideal woman? Gather a group of expert men (?) and they will all have different opinions. Pretty much the same with gun engraving by 'experts'. If a panel of experts on whatever subject selected the 'best' it would likely be by consensus rather than unanimous --- and my opinion different.0 -
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Boomerang,
It is a difficult question to answer since engraving is so subjective. I am not a fan of overly engraved firearms. They can be enhanced with just the tiniest amount of proper flourishes to add elegance and individualism to the firearm but turning them into a work of art is not my taste. I do, on the other hand, have a deep appreciation for the art and a deeper respect for those with the talent to execute it at the highest level.
Please look at my current signature for 3 examples of high level engraving in 3 different styles.
Game scene:
Old School Fine Detail:
Minimal Elegance:
Discreet Simplicity:
Fine Scroll Full Coverage:
Fine Scroll Partial Coverage:
There is a DVD available from Holland & Holland that is a great document about their engraving and engravers. It may be a little pricey for some folks but the execution is the incredible.
Best.0 -
Depends on the gun, the engraver, and your personal tastes. What would look great on a Merkel shotgun would probably be overboard for a Topper 88. Do you men scroll and vine engraving, or artwork? Have seen some pieces that look like your kids got hold of the electric pencil- but I also met Ken Hurst some years ago, and fell in love with the work from his shop. 0
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