Engraving guns?

[Impureclient]

Does high end engraving make a gun worth 20X the regular price?
I keep seeing guns that run into the tens and even hundreds of thousands that are engraved. I came across this handgun.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=171381192

Is that just them throwing that price out there for a sucker or is that really a fair price? Is engraving metal that difficult a craft?

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Depends on the engraver. That one says it was one of twenty engraved by Glock's only master engraver, so could be.

Is engraving metal that difficult a craft?

Yes, it is, especially for someone to do a really artistic job like that. Twenty years ago the going rate was about $100 per square inch, and that didn't include any inlays. I suppose it's somewhat higher now. And well known engravers are backlogged for years.

That said, I don't really care for engraved guns, and an engraved Glock is akin to a pig with lipstick, or a Rambler station wagon with mag wheels, IMO. YMMV of course.

 

[buck460XVR]

That said, I don't really care for engraved guns, and an engraved Glock is akin to a pig with lipstick, or a Rambler station wagon with mag wheels, IMO. YMMV of course.

I agree and look at engraved guns like tattooed women. Sometimes less is more.

 

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

an engraved Glock is akin to a pig with lipstick

You've hit the nail on the head.

Whether you love them or hate them, Glocks are a utility handgun, no frills, no aesthetic consideration beyond pure function. If Glock is that hot to decorate some pistols, why not just cast the frame with the scrollwork already there? It'd be about as pretty.

KR

 

[DFW1911]

That said, I don't really care for engraved guns, and an engraved Glock is akin to a pig with lipstick, or a Rambler station wagon with mag wheels, IMO. YMMV of course.

Well that's just great! I thought I was dazzling people with my engraved Glocks and really, how many Ramblers wagons have you seen with 24" rims other than mine???

Okay, I think we're all in agreement that engraving a Glock really isn't the way to go. I'm not a fan of engraved guns at all, but this guy has some talent...I just wish he'd picked another pistol, or maybe some silverware!

I wonder how much he got paid?

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

but this guy has some talent

We do agree there. I've been an engraver for forty years (trophies, plaques, jewelry, etc) using pantograph, computer and laser, but the talent of a good hand engraver just amazes me.

 

[duns]

I'm not impressed by the gun. I get paid by the hour and so probably does the the Glock "master engraver". I don't see the number of man hours there to justify the starting auction price of $10,500. Of course, if his talent is such that he should be likened to Michelangelo then it's a different story. I'm not qualified to judge his talent. I do know I wouldn't pay more then $50 extra for what I saw in the photos based on my own tastes. In fact, I'm not sure that I wouldn't prefer the gun plain with no engraving.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

The man's talent is obvious (at least to me). What is questionable, to me anyway, is his choice of a "canvas".

FWIW, I've never held or fired a Glock, so I can't comment on their quality. I just fail to see the "art" in decorating a polymer tool. Kind of like carving Victorian designs in the handle of your framing hammer, I guess.

To each their own, though.

 

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

Maybe we can start an engraved Glock simile contest.

"An engraved Glock is like _________"

A pig in lipstick

Mag wheels on a Rambler station wagon

Victorian carving on the handle of a framing hammer

A woman with too many tattoos

Making a silk purse from a sow's ear

Next?

KR

 

[oneounceload]

I can only speak towards high-end shotguns..........

An engraving by Fracassi or Pedersoli can take years to arrange and cost into the 50,000 dollar mark. Guns engraved by the likes of Funken or other masters who are no longer with us, like fine art, make them desirable and more collectible............. Are they worth it? They are to those who contract for them and are willing to wait......no different than waiting for a Fabbri, DMB, Bertuzzi, or other high-end gun. Some have 3-5 year waiting times.........to those who can afford them, they are worth the wait

 

[DFW1911]

Maybe we can start an engraved Glock simile contest.

Well it's like polishing a t***, and I like Glocks!

Sorry, not very THR of me, but I have to call it like I see it!

 

[JohnBT]

I'm sure there's a market for engraved Glocks, but that price is just a bit too much. For $10k I'd buy anything at all by Francesca Fracassi, like this small belt buckle. No color added, or ink, or anything.



There is a book about the father and daughter.

 

[gym]

Somehow that just looks wrong. On a glock. I think it's a lot nicer on a revolver than on most auto's. But I never much liked the look. The planer the better. I don't like all that writing and free advertising on the slide. If you have to get close enough to read it your too close.

 

[azyogi]

I've seen some of the engraving done by Winston Churchill I was impressed by the breadth of his talents. The right gun is the place to start. As for engraving on a plastic gun I agree with K R. It's like a really good high power scope on a cheap 410 shotgun.

 

[SaxonPig]

S&W M10-6 from pawn shop: $150
Class A engraving: $500
Ivory stocks: $350
Tooled leather with gold & silver buckle: $450

I think this gun and rig is quite handsome and worth the $1450 it cost.

 

[oldbear]

engraved Glock?

I like B.B.Q guns as much or more than the next guy, but an engraved Glock is over the top IMHO