Would you buy a gun with someone else's initials?

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I'm considering buying my first revolver - just a shooter, nothing fancy. Anyways, found a deal on a S&W Model 10 that could be a good deal (negotiations remain to be done), if only some dimwit hadn't carved his initials into the frame just below the cylinder (the seller didn't do the carving). Apparently this was done with "electropencil."

Would you consider buying a gun that had some initials carved into it, or some other means of personalization that was permanent and obviously not yours? If so, how much of a discount would you want, if any? I'm leaning towards purchasing, but only for the right price. Just wondering what other people think about it. Haven't seen this question arise before.

Update: Bought the gun. See post #35 for some pictures
 
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Depends on the situation, but yes. I had been want a model 1897 pump shot gun for cowboy shooting and usually to expensive for my budget. Found one at local trading post for $225. Had someones social security number engraved in it. Oh well, it was in my budget and its mine now. All I did was cut barrel and used it all year with no issues. SS# was on receiver and is still there. Doesn't bother me. Price/purpose and depends.
 
It won't effect shootability but will effect aesthetics and resale value. If I wanted it, I'd negotiate 'hard' and EXPECT a really, really good deal on it.

Then, I'd shoot the heck out of it!
 
Apparently, my dad did. When he died in 2010, his two remaining guns became mine. One is a Charter Arms Undercover .38, circa 1966, and it has someone's initials scratched in the face of the recoil shield. It also has a date (in November of 1971) scratched into the frame, facing the bottom of the cylinder when it's closed.
My dad did not have the gun that long, likely acquiring it in the late 70's or early eighties. I don't know if he knew anything about the engravings' meanings.
I don't think it would bother me if I found a gun I was considering buying had such markings, provided they weren't too conspicuous, and the price was accordingly appropriate.
I've never bought a gun with the idea in my head that I'd one day resell it. But, resale value on a marked, used gun isn't impaired in correlation to my purchase price if it was appropriately priced when I got it anyway.
 
Wouldn't bother me if it was something I wanted and the price was right.
And it didn't look like Billy Bob had done it with his 12 inch Bowie when he had a couple 6 packs under his belt.
 
All the above is true......but for your FIRST revolver, I wouldn't want it on there. For ME, I'd keep my first revolver forever (and have) and would want to be proud of it each time I looked at it. (and am)
 
Really wouldn't bother me at all, as long as the gun was mechanically sound and the price was right
 
Model 10s are abundant and cheap enough I would probably just find another...

If it was a rare or hard to find I would live with it...
 
I would expect at least a 50% reduction in price off of the "going rate". Then use it up and enjoy. Any less and I'd walk.

On that note though, I don't trust people, and I never buy used guns. I just don't know what someone has done to it, and I'm not enough of an expert to be able to detect some of the possible bubba gunsmithing. This is a lack of experience on my part. For this reason, I buy NIB or previously owned but still never fired guns. I realize never fired doesn't mean it hasn't been monkeyed with, but it makes me sleep better at noght.

If someone had a gun engraved that's one thing.

If they just carved their initials in a gun themselves, it seems to indicate a higher possibility of bubba gun smithing to me.
 
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Sure, but I would expect to pay a little less depending on all kinds of factors already discussed.

You could always hire a tattoo artist to "cover up" the initials. Electro-pencil, tattoo gun, what's the difference?
 
The only thing that kept my from buying an Excam GT32 a couple of weeks back was that somebody engraved TIM on the side with a sharp object. Initials carved into guns make them look like crap and alot of people feel that way so it will have some effect on resale.
 
No unless the price was right. There would have to be a very significant discount.

Then again, if I needed a "drop" gun, then that's the ticket. Folks with such guns just need to find the right buyer. ;)
 
tomrkba said:
No unless the price was right. There would have to be a very significant discount.

Then again, if I needed a "drop" gun, then that's the ticket. Folks with such guns just need to find the right buyer. ;)
Click to expand...
A "drop" gun implies somebody shot criminally and then planted with a firearm. Not an appropriate discussion.
 
I recently bought a used S&W professionally built race gun with an aftermarket barrel, barrel weight, Wichita sight, wonderful custom stocks, with the finest trigger I've ever pulled on a Smth for less than $800. A guys name is very nicely engraved down one side of the barrel.

It is big, fancy, accurate and a blast to shoot.

I have absolutely no problem with the engraving.
 
If the price is right and no structural damage is done - I never care. The number I'd have had to turn my nose up at given electric pencil names and SSNs would have left me without some guns that went on to become personal favorites. I'm always certain to factor in a re-finish whether it ever came to that or not.
 
If the initials could be buffed out without damaging the revolover, then I wouold buy it. I would confer with a gunsmith before purchase.
 
For many years I had a commercial Colt Government Model mfg. in 1917 that someone named Octavio Sanchez had carved his name on along with some of the most amateur engraving you will ever see.

Then he had it buffed and nickel plated to add to the custom look.
 
Well, this isn't about a handgun, but they are really just tools, correct? I have some of the machine tools my late father-in-law had, and his name's on them. One of the nicest people I ever knew. I treasure that his name is there, even on some tools that cost more than a typical average handgun. I wish I had a gun with his name on it.
As for strangers' names, one can have a different attitude. Maybe the person was a war hero (like my father-in-law), maybe he was just a guy. After all, I repeat that it is just a tool.
 
I picked up a very nice S&W 65-2 in great shape with an awesome trigger at a great price(pinned barrel and recessed colder). The barrel was engraved with the name Edward J Skyversky Cameo lounge. Great gun, even better shooter.
 
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