All the Canadian gun engravers that I have met have been self taught. They usually start with screw heads and simple projects like recutting worn engraving. If they get good enough they would pick up small jobs from gunsmiths. All started it as a hobby that became a paying hobby as their skill advanced and a very few manage to turn it into a livelihood. The greats like very distinguished Canadian engraver Heidi Hiptmeier all started as a beginner once upon a time. I would think the learning process would involve years of practicing on your own and friend's pieces to advance your skills to the point where someone believes enough in your work to actually commission you to work on their pet gun and pay you for the work. There are a few good books on engraving, most have some good patterns of various complexity. I guess you'll never know if this would be for you unless you try it but like most things don't expect to be an immediate success.
Gun Engraving
- Thread starter Pinfire
- Start date
All the Canadian gun engravers that I have met have been self taught. They usually start with screw heads and simple projects like recutting worn engraving. If they get good enough they would pick up small jobs from gunsmiths. All started it as a hobby that became a paying hobby as their skill advanced and a very few manage to turn it into a livelihood. The greats like very distinguished Canadian engraver Heidi Hiptmeier all started as a beginner once upon a time. I would think the learning process would involve years of practicing on your own and friend's pieces to advance your skills to the point where someone believes enough in your work to actually commission you to work on their pet gun and pay you for the work. There are a few good books on engraving, most have some good patterns of various complexity. I guess you'll never know if this would be for you unless you try it but like most things don't expect to be an immediate success.
Suggested reading sampler for the aspiring firearms engraver -
The Art of Engraving by James Meek
British Gun Engraving by Douglas Tate
Firearms Engraving as a Decorative Art - Frederic Harris
Modern Firearms Engravings by Mario Abbiatico
The Art of Engraving by James Meek
British Gun Engraving by Douglas Tate
Firearms Engraving as a Decorative Art - Frederic Harris
Modern Firearms Engravings by Mario Abbiatico
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
There is some nice work on that site!!
Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Everything but the roses on this Powell from 1874: doggies, whimbrels, acanthus, braidwork, and a variety of borders.
The rib address is John E. Long, Detroit.
The rib address is John E. Long, Detroit.
Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
James MacNaughton, Edinburgh, from 1884. I shot a round of skeet with this old girl last week.
James MacNaughton, Edinburgh, from 1884. I shot a round of skeet with this old girl last week.
That's a gorgeous MacNaughton hammergun. 12 gauge?
The forend catch is similar to that used in an earlier made gun. Are you sure it was made in 1884?
Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Yes Bill, 12 ga. 30" barrels, London proofs, 6 lbs 14 oz. A little unusual in that it was built with no choke on either side.
In fact I was mistaken about the year but not by much. J-P. Daeschler of John Dickson and Son told me by email that the serial # dates to 1882 manufacture.
Silly Mike, the checkering was recut by Mr. Daw. He did a top notch job of it, too.
This is another MacNaugton. It is a round action made in 1899, in 12 gauge with ejectors. MacNaughton round actions are fairly scarce---speculation is they built no more than 1000, probably less---Dixon may have built about double that number.
Note the fine engraving on the unusually long top strap---also note the distinctive safety.
The early MacNaughton round actions had a window in the top strap so the shooter could see whether the gun was cocked or not, a carry over from the hammer gun days. This gun has the window filled in with a plate meticulously fitted into the strap and is only visible upon really close inspection.
MacNaughton guns are marvelous, round actions are incredible, and a bar-in-wood round action is a treasure.
Note the fine engraving on the unusually long top strap---also note the distinctive safety.
The early MacNaughton round actions had a window in the top strap so the shooter could see whether the gun was cocked or not, a carry over from the hammer gun days. This gun has the window filled in with a plate meticulously fitted into the strap and is only visible upon really close inspection.
MacNaughton guns are marvelous, round actions are incredible, and a bar-in-wood round action is a treasure.
Attachments
Jim, I'm like you, similar vintage and downsizing. But I kept a pretty good collection of photos of my better guns which substitute for the real thing. And now, I can share with like minded aficionados across the country while sitting in the comfort of my home.
John, looks like MacNaughton were behind the times adopting the Anson Deeley forend latch. Nevertheless, an outstanding gun---perfect for skeet and ruffed grouse.
Hi all, what does everyone think about this sxs? I’ve always wanted a shotgun with nice engraving and quality but i know nothing about these types of firearms value/quality etc etc. Is this gun a good buy, or is there others in the $1-$2k price range in general any brands or makers that I should look for specifically that would fit my budget? Really broad question but any advice appreciated.
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2191325-Armas-Ego-Sidelock-Ejector-Fully-engraved-Pics
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2191325-Armas-Ego-Sidelock-Ejector-Fully-engraved-Pics
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Not familiar with them, but the gun seems nice enough.
- the engraving not being centered on the lever bolt and what seems to be a chip in the wood next to it would kind of bug me...
- But the $ (to me at least) seems reasonable for the amount of gun you are getting
- Should you ever need parts for it, that might be a challenge (as compared to a more common name/maker), than again, hand fitting would be involved/needed for most older guns
What are the chokes?
- the engraving not being centered on the lever bolt and what seems to be a chip in the wood next to it would kind of bug me...
- But the $ (to me at least) seems reasonable for the amount of gun you are getting
- Should you ever need parts for it, that might be a challenge (as compared to a more common name/maker), than again, hand fitting would be involved/needed for most older guns
What are the chokes?
For similar money you can find the real thing. A finely made English (Likely Birmingham) made shotgun. At every price point they compete, I would never choose a Spanish made gun over an English/German/Belgian(Liege)/Austrian(Ferlach)/Czech(Praha)/French/Italian gun. But that's just me.
Don't know if you know this but the gun you have posted is a sidelock design. You will find that on the used gun market, everything else being as equal as it can be (condition, dimensions, barrels length, original quality etc) a sidelock will command a higher price than a boxlock shotgun. I posted a pic of a boxlock at the bottom just in case. The difference? The "locks" the mechanism that fires the gun are mounted on the two sideplates of a sidelock gun, one for each trigger. In a boxlock action, the locks are mounted inboard, contained within the "box" like shape of the action.
I got this French sidelock for about $1800.
And I got this Czech made gun for about $1500
Both the guns I posted above are miles ahead in quality of that Spanish gun you posted. The French gun has Bernard barrels.....probably the most revered maker of barrels.....period. I have about 20 shotguns in my safe that I use, including from makers like Purdey. That Czech gun is the gun I reach for more than anything.
I might add that it would help for you to understand that particularly with SxS, they are made for different styles of hunting and different quarry. So one gun that is suitable for ducks would be less than satisfactory for ruffed grouse. When asking about a specific gun, helps to know what your intended use is and what the weight of the gun is.
Here are a couple boxlocks:
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And here I am, still drooling over that Ideal 6R
Hahahaha! You remembered!
Just a little FYI on that subject. Came across an Ideal Double Rifle in 450 NE a month ago. Never expected to ever see one in North America! Practically unused. Not many Cape Buffalo here. Sure was fun to pick it up and if I was crazier, or younger i might have paid the $8K......a steal for a double rifle of that quality and caliber.
For similar money you can find the real thing. A finely made English (Likely Birmingham) made shotgun. At every price point they compete, I would never choose a Spanish made gun over an English/German/Belgian(Liege)/Austrian(Ferlach)/Czech(Praha)/French/Italian gun. But that's just me.
Don't know if you know this but the gun you have posted is a sidelock design. You will find that on the used gun market, everything else being as equal as it can be (condition, dimensions, barrels length, original quality etc) a sidelock will command a higher price than a boxlock shotgun. I posted a pic of a boxlock at the bottom just in case. The difference? The "locks" the mechanism that fires the gun are mounted on the two sideplates of a sidelock gun, one for each trigger. In a boxlock action, the locks are mounted inboard, contained within the "box" like shape of the action.
I got this French sidelock for about $1800.
And I got this Czech made gun for about $1500
Both the guns I posted above are miles ahead in quality of that Spanish gun you posted. The French gun has Bernard barrels.....probably the most revered maker of barrels.....period. I have about 20 shotguns in my safe that I use, including from makers like Purdey. That Czech gun is the gun I reach for more than anything.
I might add that it would help for you to understand that particularly with SxS, they are made for different styles of hunting and different quarry. So one gun that is suitable for ducks would be less than satisfactory for ruffed grouse. When asking about a specific gun, helps to know what your intended use is and what the weight of the gun is.
Here are a couple boxlocks:
Wow nice guns and thanks for the feedback. Obviously I’m a total newbie when it comes to these types of firearms so all this info is much appreciated.
I would probably just use the gun for shooting trap, so i would want to be able to use regular target loads in it.
Where does one go about finding these higher quality guns? Nothing on the EE really that I could see? Any dealers you recommend, or anyone have something for sale?
