[ceadermtnboy]

I really want an engraved revolver. Please share photos so I can see different styles. Are there any suggestions on the best way to go about finding one. Factory new, used, or nonfactory engraved? Thanks for any input.

[Hawk]

This is a BHP orchestrated by Wild West. Jim White did the "feathers" on the front and back strap and a "biohazard" logo on the slide top.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=30268&d=1130024264
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=30266&d=1130024242
Jim White is great and I wish I had him do more to the BHP. The BHP is a "working" gun and gets used regularly. The finish is by APW and seems impervious to wear.

This is one I got more or less by accident at a distressed price: a Billy Mays silver plated 586 that I think has S&W engraving but wouldn't be distressed to learn otherwise. The finish is about worthless as a firearm finish. The debate continues if it's to be refinished as a light user or left as a safe queen until unloaded.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=89103&d=1229045253

If I had it to do over, I'd probably save the money from both the Mays and the BHP and put it all in a blued engraved 586 with full coverage by Jim White.

Hopefully, the BHP will be acceptable in the revolver forum, albeit temporarily?

[orchidhunter]

ceadermtnboy, S&W factory is the way you want to go, if you like S&Ws. Check out S&W's web site. orchidhunter

[PattonTime]

I have a nicely engraved 629-1 S&W 4" I bought from a friend for $800.00
it dates back to 83 I believe and that is also what he said he paid back then.
The engraving is signed A.Bean I don't guess its factory but I like it.
I bought it "because" and also for the grips , they are smooth walnut targets
and very nice. I am going to try and figure out how to post pictures now .
Wish me luck !

PattonTime

[Jim Watson]

The S&W 640 shown at
http://www.angelfire.com/al/billybates/gun.html
is mine.

I have seen a guy showing engraved single actions at cowboy shoots but cannot right now come up with a link.

Agree with orchidhunter, to a point. If you want resale value, get a factory engraved gun. Don't be sucked in by their laser "engraving", though. The real thing will cost you.

[GUNKWAZY]

Factory...

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq172/toykwazy/engraved1.jpg
http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq172/toykwazy/engraved5.jpg

Non-factory...

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq172/toykwazy/engraved2.jpg

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

[PRM]

I am letting this one go - Dave at www.oldwestgunsmith.com is selling it for me. Nice centerpiece for a collection or a grand BBQ gun.

Smith & Wesson .38 Single Action 2nd Model #3 digit serial number. Here is a one-of-a-kind custom Smith & Wesson with 85% coverage scroll engraving by John Pease. Finishes by Turnbull in full silver plate with color case hardened hammer and nitre blued screws, trigger, barrel catch, etc. Checkered elephant ivory grips with beautiful carved S&W emblems right where they belong crafted by Dan Chesiak, who does custom work for Colt.

This beautiful and tastefully executed piece abides in its own French-fitted cherry case with a frosted S&W logo etched into the plate glass top, with an elephant ivory handled brass cleaning rod and a full box of 1880s vintage Winchester .38 S&W ammunition in wonderful condition. Antique.

[Dienekes]

Suggest you do some homework; read Jim Meeks' engraving book (Brownell's); read the Colt and Winchester engraving books; then look at every engraved gun you can find and every photo you can find. I spent a lot of time doing exactly that while accumulating the cash for an engraving job. The main things I picked up were to look for how straight the straight lines were--especially with gold inlay lines--and whether the scrolls are really round, curved, and flowing; what the background is, if any; and if there is any veining or depth to the work. If animals are present, do they look "right" or like a child's sketch. I also happened to know one of the best engravers working at the time. When it came time to have a 1911 done I had my own ideas on what I wanted. I outlined them to him and then told him to take them into consideration and then use his own judgement within the limits of my budget. The results were spectacular. :)

After you look a while you will find that there is some pretty awful work out there :barf: along with the good stuff. Go for the latter even if the coverage is less; quality always looks good.

There is a "Firearms engraver's Guild of America" (FEGA) website. Worth checking out.