whisler
Member
I have initials and a number on 2 muzzleloaders that I built. They are by way of identification if stolen/lost and are hidden from sight. Would not mark up something I didn't build.
Initials or names on your gun
- Thread starter Hoyte
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Armybrat
Member
When my brothers & I presented our dad (US Army RET) with a new Colt SAA .45 with a 7.5” barrel for his 70th birthday 40+ years ago, we had his serial # engraved on the backstrap. Don’t care what the Colt collectors think, we like it and his grandsons are all vying to inherit it.
Armored farmer
Member
It is unlawful for me to sell this 80% build.
This is a truly homemade gun.
I had my name and the 23rd Psalm laser engraved on the lower.
I think it is appropriate to know who's cold, dead fingers it was pried from.
ThomasT
Member
A bunch of my guns have some guys name on them. Some guy named Ruger. At least he did a neat job of it.
entropy
Member
My younger son carved his name into the forearm of the Win. 37 21 ga. I let him shoot at about 8, telling him it would be his. 
Then about ten years later he left it under the back seat of his F350 when he traded it. 
Then about ten years later he left it under the back seat of his F350 when he traded it. 
caribou
Member
Ive had a pistol returned twice and a .22lr , simply because they had my nick name engraved in the wood at the bottom of the pistol grip.
I dropped the pistol out hunting once, my holsters clasp wasnt done right, but it was found and returned... and the .22 and same pistol were stolen from me and then returned.
Its very common here to mark our names on them, although I dont, anymore, as they are tools and very common.
Once a Hunter finds a comfortable, accurate gun, we use them untill they wear out.
As for tools, I used to engrave '666' on them and NO ONE in the small village knowingly kept my wrenches or such......LOL!!
I dropped the pistol out hunting once, my holsters clasp wasnt done right, but it was found and returned... and the .22 and same pistol were stolen from me and then returned.
Its very common here to mark our names on them, although I dont, anymore, as they are tools and very common.
Once a Hunter finds a comfortable, accurate gun, we use them untill they wear out.
As for tools, I used to engrave '666' on them and NO ONE in the small village knowingly kept my wrenches or such......LOL!!
Trey Veston
Member
I think the practice of engraving or marking a firearm with one's initials or name hearkens back to a time when our society was less hyper-consumerism driven.
50 years ago, most folks bought a firearm as a lifelong commitment after much careful consideration and saving of pennies. Today, we buy and sell guns like they were articles of clothing with little thought to long-term use and commitment.
Times are different now.
Would I ever have my initials engraved on a gun? Only a few. I am picking up a gun tomorrow that I've never seen in person and never held. Just wanted it to see how it felt and shot. Won't be engraving that one anytime soon.
50 years ago, most folks bought a firearm as a lifelong commitment after much careful consideration and saving of pennies. Today, we buy and sell guns like they were articles of clothing with little thought to long-term use and commitment.
Times are different now.
Would I ever have my initials engraved on a gun? Only a few. I am picking up a gun tomorrow that I've never seen in person and never held. Just wanted it to see how it felt and shot. Won't be engraving that one anytime soon.
stonebuster
Member
A couple of mine have have Dan Wessons 's name on them but no other's with names.A bunch of my guns have some guys name on them. Some guy named Ruger. At least he did a neat job of it.
Howland937
Member
They'll still check your I.D.
Armored farmer
Member
In Illinois, so they'll write my bones a ticket if I don't have my FOID card.
theotherwaldo
Member
I'm likely to put a slip of paper with my data under the butt plate or in some other cavity in the stock of a long gun.
Short guns involve more ingenuity.
Short guns involve more ingenuity.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
My first few firearms have my drivers license number on them in a very small size and out of easy view. Yes, I was at the tail end of the engrave your info on your guns movement (early '90s) and I thought my first few firearms would be mine forever. Funny thing is, I still own every one of my "drivers license guns".
Regarding tools (not guns as tools) I still engrave my last name or initials on every tool I buy to this day and will until I can't any longer.
Regarding tools (not guns as tools) I still engrave my last name or initials on every tool I buy to this day and will until I can't any longer.
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MacAR
Member
I have a .357 Single Action that has my name engraved in script down the backstrap; I think it looks rather good myself. It'll probably be with me from here on, so re-sale value is a non-issue. I also had my initials engraved inside a shield on the Golden Boy 22 that I bought this July. The regular Golden Boy isn't really a collectors item, and a new receiver cover can be bought reasonably should I want to sell the gun on. The engraving is shown here:
Mac
Mac
Cowhide Cliff
Member
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I have some custom order Uberti made guns that my name is in the serial number.
I do have a couple that I wouldn't change.
My great grandfather bought Winchester Model 90s for all 7 of his sons, sometime in the 1920s. My granddad carved his initials into the stock of his (JA) with a backwards J, I guess so it looked like a brand. My granddad bought my dad a used Stevens single shot 22 in 1939 for his 12th birthday. In winter 1951, mom and dad lived in a small trailer and dad was bored. He sanded the stock down and carved his initials in one side of the stock and mom's on the other side, and filled them with red enamel. Then he inlaid two cut down dice in each side of the stock.
I still have both rifles and I wouldn't change them.
My great grandfather bought Winchester Model 90s for all 7 of his sons, sometime in the 1920s. My granddad carved his initials into the stock of his (JA) with a backwards J, I guess so it looked like a brand. My granddad bought my dad a used Stevens single shot 22 in 1939 for his 12th birthday. In winter 1951, mom and dad lived in a small trailer and dad was bored. He sanded the stock down and carved his initials in one side of the stock and mom's on the other side, and filled them with red enamel. Then he inlaid two cut down dice in each side of the stock.
I still have both rifles and I wouldn't change them.
ThomasT
Member
I do have a model 15 with Ft Worth PD etched on the grip frame under the grips.
Armybrat
Member
Or Rohm.I'm glad my name is not Jennings!
Hokkmike
Member
None of the guns I have now would be worthy of names.....
Can't think of why I would want to engrave a gun or what I would put on it.
Can't think of why I would want to engrave a gun or what I would put on it.
Steve Milbocker
Member
This thread reminds me of one of Skeeter Skeletons stories “ Bustamonte, I hate you” I generally don’t care for names or initials on guns either although I have a Clements Custom Blackhawk with the late owners name tastefully inscribed on the bottom of the grip frame that I have no problem with.
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FL-NC
Member
No, but I have several with various unit logos.
X62503
Contributing Member
No one’s mentioned doing this, so I’ll confess: I embossed my initials on black label tape using a DYMO label maker and stuck it in an out-of-the-way corner of my rifle’s B5 SOPMOD stock. I love that rifle.
delrom418
Member
I put my initials in silver wire inlay on a muzzleloader I built.
I have a Mosin M91-30 that was captured by Finns and refurbished with Finnish woodwork. It has initials "KH" crudely carved on its buttstock, apparently with a puukko knife. So I presume KH was a Finnish soldier in the Continuation War who used the rifle against its former owners. For me, the carving increases the value of the rifle. Some collectors would agree and some would disagree, I don't care; the monetary value of the old "war axe" is not that big. It's a mishmash of Russian and Finnish parts, a quintessential example of what was slapped together in a hurry when the Nation was in danger. And amazingly, it shoots great!
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