The engraver's art

[Andyandhazel]

These were taken on my phone around 4 to 5 years ago now. When we were visiting a gunsmiths in Shrewsbury. This is done by hand using an engraver much like a small dremal. The gold is undercut and hammered into place to stop it falling out.

I understand that these were part of series of engravings on at least 2 shotguns for  a client. 

 

[Clicker]

That looks  like fine work ....  I must have missed these earlier ..

[Andyandhazel]

Yes it is very fine work, Luca the engraver was happy to explain the process. As these were finished guns the metal had already been hardened and treated for rust protection, which makes for a very hard finish to work with and meant considerable sharpening of the tool tip.

I'll find some of the buttons we had installed into the stocks of our guns, 

[Clicker]

Oh that would be interesting .... what  sort of guns are we talking about ... ?

[Andyandhazel]

  We both have 12 gauge shotguns and before the lockdown would go at least once a week.