...but honey, this is my split tail... er, uugh, I mean sharptail gun.

At least with those rifles it is defintely a "she" or a "her".

No doubt about it!

But shouldn't the engravings of a more explicit nature be better suited to an under and over double than a side by side?

Seems more appropriate somehow.

quote:

Originally posted by JohnTheGreek:
OK...I know Butch Searcy has been known to post here and maybe things have changed since this rifle was done but does anyone else find this level of engraving unacceptable on a $30,000 rifle? Again, I am not trying to start a war here or deny the functional qualities of Butch's work but only offer a polite suggestion regarding the aesthetic options available to his customers. I write this because I spoke with him around a year ago about ordering a PH model and was told I had no choice but to use "his" engraver. I chose another option rather than be handcuffed in this way. Am I too picky to want more options?

Just curious,

John

Not that I'm not fond of the more recent pics of engraving.....and the resulting humor.....great guys!!!
Back to the original thread.....Like others have said.....engraving that is not well done is worse than none at all.....the value of a fine firearm can actually be detracted from as a result. Engraving is a matter of serious art and there's no room for second best....or work that isn't excellent. I'd prefer a little scroll work and leave the animals alone if they can't be extremely well done.....
As to the guy from Weatherby.....wanting to be the richest.....who is he listening to ???...Ed??? Gimme a break here!!!! Become the best and the money will follow.....

Anyway the cost of the best is beyond me and therefore I'll forever love to look at photos of those that are good.

Thanks all for the pics...

I don't normally like gold on a gun, but the guy who engraved for Hoffman Arms did some great, non-showy work.
There was a 700 Nitro H&H in Double Gun that had some really heavy, deep coverage, which I normally find too much, but it had a Griffin I believe carved through on the top lever which was very nice...

My dad had a gun that was engraved in Germany for a reasonable price with 2 silver bears and a deer. They were very well done but the hunter in the scene (just engraved) was not very good...

I have always admired Roger's work. I remember when I was a kid (not long ago) going through the Gun Digest and seeing some of his work. The one I really liked I think was a wolf...

The real class magazine today is Double Gun Journal. It is fun to go through and either cheer or jeer the engraved guns in it. Some of the most respected and expensive guns are the worst.

Mr. Searcy, I'm not sure why you insist on your engravers? If the goal is to prevent your name from being adjacent to poor quality engraving, you've missed the mark by a wide margin. I originally assumed the rifle had been engraved "after" you delivered it to the client, but more of the same is on your website. I intend no disrespect, but IMHO (and apparently others), the animal engraving leaving your shop is doing more to hurt your brand's reputation. Just give a ticket to the FEGA show with each rifle. http://www.fega.com/about/Convention.htm

Safe Hunting
Clint

Personally I like the standard engraving on the Searcy Sidelock. The Pics that newguy posted on page 1 are pretty good for the price tag I would guess it got. I think the problems come in when someone asks too much for too small of a price tag...as far as engraving goes. I mean what do you really expect when you want deep chisel with multiple animal scenes for 10 grand. To do a good job on that would take at the very least 30,000 alone not including the DR.

NitroX, what you said about the Artemis is that really what the engraving is about?