Engraving Over a Roll Mark

[Swichblade]

Recently, the idea of eventually obtaining a custom engraved 1911 has crossed my mind. However, I do not know how engraving would be done over a roll mark. Do I have to buy a 1911 that regularly comes with a naked slide or can I get any 1911 custom ordered with a naked slide? Or is the roll mark filled/filed away and engraved over?

Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

In general, it is left as is and engraved around it.

You can't legally remove the manufactures or importers name & address anyway.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/guides/importation-verification/firearms-verification-overview.html

So you would do well to pick a gun with tasteful roll markings to begin with, and not the big billboard some company's are putting on slides anymore..

rc

 

[Swichblade]

Allrighty. I've seen Dan Wesson 1911s and those have bare slides.

Thank you.

 

[Jim Watson]

Well, a Colt has the company name and location in small print on the receiver, satisfying the BATF regulation without being obtrusive.
You could have the slide surface ground smooth and engraved to suit.

The Talo Kornbrath edition, for example, has no roll marks on the slide at all.

 

[ldsgeek]

You can also buy a bare slide to have engraved, I think Caspian sells them naked.

 

[Jim K]

Gun companies have been selling factory-engraved guns for lo these many years and the engravers (surprise!) don't obliterate the company name. The guns look just fine, at least to me.

Jim

 

[rcmodel]

+1

Too give you an example!
http://www.edbrown.com/signature.htm

It would be an expensive mistake to Not have the manufactures name on it for future collectors to identify it.

An unmarked gun they can't identify isn't worth much to a collector.

rc

 

[Jim Watson]

The future collector will be less interested in the ego of the gunmaker than the identity of the engraver.

As said, the maker's ID is legally required but it doesn't have to be a billboard in the middle of the pattern.

That said, my only custom engraved gun has the pattern tastefully wrapped around the company trademarks, but it was not an integrated project from scratch, either.

 

[Jim K]

Good engravers will also take into account the workings of the gun so that normal functioning doesn't damage the engraving or the engraving interfere with function. For example, engravers who specialize in S&W work will not engrave the cylinder area where the cylinder stop drags. If that part is engraved, the engraving will be marred by the cylinder turning. (Yes, I know that many of us would never actually use an engraved revolver, but engravers don't just assume their work will end up in a safe, never to be seen again. Here are some examples of S&W engraving:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757961_-1_757780_757751_image

Jim

 

[Jim Watson]

Mine is a S&W and it does not have engraving between the cylinder stops and it does get shot. Not until Monday, though.

http://billybates.com/gun.htm

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Slides are often scrubbed, when desired, to facilitate more extensive engraving, or pattern, as on most guns, the necessary maker/serial number is on the frame. That is all the marking that is required by law.