The Accurate Reloading Forums
Engraving..!
19 April 2015, 12:24
PondoroEngraving..!
What is your favourite engraving..?
I cant think of anything more tasteful than Purdey rose & scroll...or some similar english fashion scroll..on double rifles or SxS shotguns alike.
I dont like the deep carvings that seems to be THE thing on expensive guns these days..ghastly..but each to its own..
What are your tastes Gentlemen..?
19 April 2015, 15:50
9.3 X 75RIt's a matter of taste, like women, pick-up trucks and guitars. I like old stuff, old German stuff, so mine is usually found on drillings, combination guns and the like from the 1880's through the 1920's. I like the scroll on my Reilly but it doesn't make me smile like the engraving on my Goldmann does. I do not care for Bulino.
DRSS: E. M. Reilley 500 BPE
E. Goldmann in Erfurt, 11.15 X 60R
Those who fail to study history are condemned to repeat it
19 April 2015, 16:53
shootawaySome engravers specialize in certain areas like game scenes etc...I suggest one checks out the work done by the various engravers and finds one that will suit their rifle.If I ever buy another double I might have the action sent to an engraver I have in mind.The amount I would spend on engraving would be around 2500.I got lucky with my bolt rifle floor plate I had Rabeno do.It was a major success IMO.I feel like I possess a valuable piece of art.I would not choose him for a DR action.I would like some rose scroll or whatever it is called on a DR.A certain engraver has done some really nice work with this type of engraving.
19 April 2015, 17:35
MJinesquote:
Originally posted by Pondoro:
I cant think of anything more tasteful than Purdey rose & scroll...or some similar english fashion scroll..on double rifles or SxS shotguns alike.
I dont like the deep carvings that seems to be THE thing on expensive guns these days..ghastly..but each to its own..
Precisely, the scroll and rose was and always will be classic. Not a fan of the deep relief engraving and bulino. Acanthus is also very nice.
Mike
19 April 2015, 19:07
shootawayI want to add that I have seen representative work of all kinds of engraving and there is some really nice stuff.Some deep relief,some game scene,some very simple work that is very impressive.In the end it is not the type of engraving but the who does the work and what else.
19 April 2015, 20:41
Andre MertensAs long as they're done by a skillful hand (not rolled on or photo-engraved prior to acid etching or hand-retouched at best,etc.), I appreciate all styles of engraving.
I'm the proud owner of these :
FN-Browning B25 "Special Chasse" 12 ga., signed by P. Arno (cf. under setter's hind foot).
FN-Browning CCS25, o/u 9,3x74R, signed by J. Baerten, former head master engraver of FN (cf. extreme right corner of 1st. receiver pannel).
I regret not owning an example of Italian "Bulino", which may be compared to a deep and highly detailed scrimshaw scenery, but executed on steel. The best examples do indeed ressemble a highly defined B/W photo.
André
DRSS
---------
3 shots do not make a group, they show a point of aim or impact.
5 shots are a group.
19 April 2015, 20:54
shootawayquote:
Originally posted by Andre Mertens:
As long as they're done by a skillful hand (not rolled on or photo-engraved prior to acid etching or hand-retouched at best,etc.), I appreciate all styles of engraving.
I'm the proud owner of these :
FN-Browning B25 "Special Chasse" 12 ga., signed by P. Arno (cf. under setter's hind foot).
FN-Browning CCS25, o/u 9,3x74R, signed by J. Baerten, former head master engraver of FN (cf. extreme right corner of 1st. receiver pannel).
I regret not owning an example of Italian "Bulino", which may be compared to a deep and highly detailed scrimshaw scenery, but executed on steel. The best examples do indeed ressemble a highly defined B/W photo.
If I paid 500 dollars for a gun that is the quality of engraving I would expect on it.
19 April 2015, 21:29
PondoroAndre´, that setter and pheasant scene is indeed nicely done..

19 April 2015, 21:42
Andre MertensShootaway,mon ami.
I'm not aware of present going prices but if you're talking dollars in
gold coins, you may get it...
Otherwise and at today's exchange rate, I'm afraid you'd be a zero short.
BTW, to avoid further confusion, I'm quoting estimates for custom engraving a gun the customer brings in.
Sans rancune.
PS : I referred to Bulino art previously. I can only dream about it but for who can afford it, here are some magnificent examples :
https://www.google.be/search?q...dots.htm%3B670%3B461And, as art connoisseurs use to say "if you need to ask the cost, then it is out of your reach...".
André
DRSS
---------
3 shots do not make a group, they show a point of aim or impact.
5 shots are a group.
19 April 2015, 22:17
subsailor74I prefer fine English scroll along with bulino style animal scenes. I prefer gold in modest amounts, as in inlaying "SAFE" in gold, but not much else. I think the high grade Verney-Carron double rifles like the AZUR Imperial get it about right for me.
19 April 2015, 22:38
MJinesquote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
If I paid 500 dollars for a gun that is the quality of engraving I would expect on it.
George, you simply cannot control your inner asshole. Karma is an interesting thing. Think about that when you reflect on your most recent hunt with the greatest double ever made.
Mike
19 April 2015, 22:41
shootawayI had to get back at him because he has bugged me in the past.
19 April 2015, 23:03
9.3 X 75Rquote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
I had to get back at him because he has bugged me in the past.
Ahhh....this displays the content of your character, or lack thereof.
DRSS: E. M. Reilley 500 BPE
E. Goldmann in Erfurt, 11.15 X 60R
Those who fail to study history are condemned to repeat it
19 April 2015, 23:11
shootawayquote:
Originally posted by 9.3 X 75R:
quote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
I had to get back at him because he has bugged me in the past.
Ahhh....this displays the content of your character, or lack thereof.
yours too!
20 April 2015, 00:10
MikeBurkeI like this style. It is on my Boswell.
20 April 2015, 01:20
Pondoroquote:
If I paid 500 dollars for a gun that is the quality of engraving I would expect on it.
Old ways again George...old ways...

20 April 2015, 01:24
AntlersZebras don't change their stripes....neither do Shootacows.
Antlers
Double Rifle Shooters Society
Heym 450/400 3"
20 April 2015, 06:14
Dutch44I rate Boswell and Alex Henry at the top of the game, as well as Boss.
Dutch
20 April 2015, 09:17
h2oboyNo question for me... Rose and Scroll
Dirk Schimmel
D Schimmel LLC
Dirk@DoubleRifles.Us
1-307-257-9447
Double rifles make Africa safe enough for bolt guns!
20 April 2015, 10:47
PondoroMikeBurke, would you care to show more pics of your Boswell..?
The engraving on it is very similar to what I have on my double..
What calibre is your rifle..?
20 April 2015, 10:53
NakihunterThe really delicate and fine engraving on the old BPE hammer rifles were amazing. Some rifles had the engraving in the hidden area and matched over lapping metal! True craftsmanship!
Yes later British engraving on top end shotguns & DRs are also nice.
"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick."
20 April 2015, 13:49
Andre MertensScrollwork is THE classic for British doubles. The best ones really show what is best and how much is enough. If I was to commission the building of a best quality S/S (Lebeau-Courally, H&H, Purdey & Sons,...) scrolls would be my natural choice. And if I still had a few (...) more euros left, another whim would be a self-opener.
André
DRSS
---------
3 shots do not make a group, they show a point of aim or impact.
5 shots are a group.
20 April 2015, 17:27
subsailor74quote:
Originally posted by subsailor74:
I prefer fine English scroll along with bulino style animal scenes. I prefer gold in modest amounts, as in inlaying "SAFE" in gold, but not much else. I think the high grade Verney-Carron double rifles like the AZUR Imperial get it about right for me.
This is what i was referring to in my earlier post - a nice combination of scroll and bulino
20 April 2015, 19:28
mt Alquote:
Originally posted by 9.3 X 75R:
I like old stuff, old German stuff, so mine is usually found on drillings, combination guns and the like from the 1880's through the 1920's....I do not care for Bulino.
+1! Though I do like tastefully done Bulino.
Rose and scroll is certainly nice, very nice in fact, but to me the rose element seems out of place/too delicate on an instrument made for killing. Replace the rose with a game scene, keep the scroll, that's my fav.
20 April 2015, 19:36
shootawayquote:
Originally posted by mt Al:
quote:
Originally posted by 9.3 X 75R:
I like old stuff, old German stuff, so mine is usually found on drillings, combination guns and the like from the 1880's through the 1920's....I do not care for Bulino.
+1! Though I do like tastefully done Bulino.
Rose and scroll is certainly nice, very nice in fact, but to me the rose element seems out of place/too delicate on an instrument made for killing. Replace the rose with a game scene, keep the scroll, that's my fav.
I have doubts about the rose too.I also do not like a delicate type scroll.I do not want my rifle to look like a flower or to remind me of flowers.I think the VC DR`s do this.
20 April 2015, 19:43
jorgepssst, meathead, S&R is prevalent on British guns...
USN (ret)
DRSS Verney-Carron 450NE
Cogswell & Harrison 375 Fl NE
Sabatti Big Five 375 FL Magnum NE
DSC Life Member
NRA Life Member
20 April 2015, 19:44
MJinesquote:
Originally posted by MikeBurke:
I like this style. It is on my Boswell.
I think that is called large scroll but someone may know better than me.
Mike
20 April 2015, 19:58
shootawayHere is a pic of the scroll which is not flower like,IMO-just cool scroll.This certainly does not make me think flowers.
[URL=
]a[/URL]
20 April 2015, 20:02
shootawayquote:
Originally posted by MJines:
quote:
Originally posted by MikeBurke:
I like this style. It is on my Boswell.
I think that is called large scroll but someone may know better than me.
I call it cool scroll.
20 April 2015, 20:07
shootawayThere are many versions of cool scroll out there.It does not have to be identical or a cheap copy of the one above,IMO.If the engraver is cool he will or should engrave cool scroll.
20 April 2015, 20:10
subsailor74quote:
Originally posted by jorge:
pssst, meathead, S&R is prevalent on British guns...

20 April 2015, 20:32
cal pappasWhat's going on here, Shootaway? The cool scroll you seem to admire is on rifles who have placed in the garbage category in the past. Are your tastes changing?
Cal
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20 April 2015, 20:38
shootawayI know you want to sell old rifles Cal,but it does not get better than this.Modern too![URL=
]a[/URL]
20 April 2015, 21:30
GrenadierWhen I ordered my Paradox gun from Holland & Holland they asked me what I wanted for engraving. I ginned this picture up in Photoshop beginning with a scroll diagram I found:
And I told them I liked these fences:
So, given that very general direction, this is what their fabulous engraver created !
.
20 April 2015, 22:21
Andre MertensGorgeous !
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
André
DRSS
---------
3 shots do not make a group, they show a point of aim or impact.
5 shots are a group.
21 April 2015, 00:08
Pondoro+1...and I love those round actions, very elegant they are...

21 April 2015, 02:52
mt Alquote:
Originally posted by Grenadier:
When I ordered my Paradox gun from Holland & Holland they asked me what I wanted for engraving. I ginned this picture up in Photoshop beginning with a scroll diagram I found:
And I told them I liked these fences:
So, given that very general direction, this is what their fabulous engraver created !
Highly drool worthy!! Love that type of scroll with dark background, dark screw with gold line and highlighted pins add to awesomeness. Thanks for posting.
21 April 2015, 03:34
9.3 X 75RStunning Grnadier...simply stunning. Congratulations on owning such a beautiful firearm.
DRSS: E. M. Reilley 500 BPE
E. Goldmann in Erfurt, 11.15 X 60R
Those who fail to study history are condemned to repeat it
21 April 2015, 03:37
9.3 X 75Rquote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
quote:
Originally posted by 9.3 X 75R:
quote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
I had to get back at him because he has bugged me in the past.
Ahhh....this displays the content of your character, or lack thereof.
yours too!
I had an English teacher in college who always had the best response to comments like these. His observation to us was to "consider the source guys....and ignore it" I believe henceforth I will put his advice into practice.
DRSS: E. M. Reilley 500 BPE
E. Goldmann in Erfurt, 11.15 X 60R
Those who fail to study history are condemned to repeat it
21 April 2015, 06:05
MHC_TXH&H Royal 450no2
H&H Royal 12ga
H&H Royal 20ga