Gold inlaying letters on a Colt SAA second generation Barrel, by Barry Lee Hands

Barry Lee Hands · Dec 16, 2015

My flat chisel, about .008 inches wide:

Cutting with the flat:

Curvy parts are trickiest, because outside edge gets ragged because of heel drag:

So, we punch it down with a flat:

Then I smooth it up with a scribe:

now it ready for the wire:

Finished lettering before final polish:

GTJC460 · Dec 16, 2015

I use a square graver I convert to a micro flat by just grinding a very small flat at the tip. Is a very controllable tool that doesn't give much if any heel drag in the curvy bits.

Then I chisel the edges to make the undercut.

That's how I did the lettering on these barrels

vilts · Dec 16, 2015

Barry, that looks super clean work. Thanks for showing how you do it.

GTJC460 said:
I use a square graver I convert to a micro flat by just grinding a very small flat at the tip. Is a very controllable tool that doesn't give much if any heel drag in the curvy bits.

Then I chisel the edges to make the undercut.

That's how I did the lettering on these barrels

That sounds interesting. Do have maybe a drawing or a photo of how the graver looks after you're "done" with it? I currently fail to quite imagine how it looks...

Boomhower · Dec 16, 2015

Thanks for the tips. I have a few guns I wood love to do this to. I just have to get where I can trust my self lol

GTJC460 · Dec 16, 2015

It's not an original idea. This graver shape is more traditionally known as a scorper. It's discussed in Art of Engraving by Meeks on page 35. He uses an onglette to illustrate the scorper but really any point graver could be used. I just have more "square" gravers laying on my bench so that's typically what I modify.

GTJC460 · Dec 16, 2015

One thing all engravers will find when inlaying rollmarks is that most are not uniformly deep. Typically one side of the lettering isn't as deep as the other, which is why you need to recut the marks. its quite tedious going along recutting the lettering, chiseling the edges, setting the gold, then polishing flush. My hat goes off to anyone that does this. It's a great look but very time consuming to say the least. I enjoy lettering and that's something that's a requisite for the job.

Barry. Thanks for taking such great photos and documenting your method.

Mike Dubber · Dec 16, 2015

Sometimes you must first cut the letters from scratch, and then use the same methods described above to complete the inlays. Script letters are generally more difficult to inlay than block, but I use the very same methods to create the voids and anchor the gold.

algym · Dec 16, 2015

Gracias Barry por aportarnos esta informaciÃ³n, es muy valiosa. Muchos de nosotros no tenemos la posibilidad de capacitarnos con grandes maestros como usted y este tema es maravilloso...

Saludos

Luis

JMiller · Dec 16, 2015

Thanks Barry, Mike & Bert... lettering doesn't usually get too much attention, especially inlay. Thank you for the WIP.

davidshe · Dec 16, 2015

So helpful to see how you pros do this step by step. Thank you so much Barry, Bert and Mike!

Barry Lee Hands · Dec 16, 2015

My flat chisel, about .008 inches wide:

Cutting with the flat:

Curvy parts are trickiest, because outside edge gets ragged because of heel drag:

So, we punch it down with a flat:

Then I smooth it up with a scribe:

now it ready for the wire:

Finished lettering before final polish:

davidshe said:
So helpful to see how you pros do this step by step. Thank you so much Barry, Bert and Mike!

Yes, good stuff all around.
This is where I go next:

Barry Lee Hands · Dec 16, 2015

algym said:
Gracias Barry por aportarnos esta informaciÃ³n, es muy valiosa. Muchos de nosotros no tenemos la posibilidad de capacitarnos con grandes maestros como usted y este tema es maravilloso...

Saludos

Luis

Luis-
De nada.

Adder · Dec 17, 2015

Great tutorial. It is so interesting to see how it actually shall be done.

Love it, and thank you all very much.

JÃ¸rn-Ove

Barry Lee Hands · Dec 20, 2015

Here I have laid out and cut in some spots for gold.

Big-Un · Dec 20, 2015

Barry, is the barrel fixture you're using hand made or available for purchase, and if available, from whom?

Bill

Barry Lee Hands · Dec 20, 2015

Big-Un said:
Barry, is the barrel fixture you're using hand made or available for purchase, and if available, from whom?

Bill

Hi Bill,
I made it myself, many years ago.
It's inspired by the old Hurst/Rowles fixture, but aluminum and lighter.

Boomhower · Dec 21, 2015

Awesome work. Thank you for posting this for us. Inlay work is part of what has got me into engraving. I am just starting so I am a ways from giving it a try lol but your photos have helped my brain figure it out just got to train my hand now lol

Barry Lee Hands · Dec 21, 2015

thanks Boom, and you are very welcome.

Big-Un · Dec 21, 2015

Thanks Barry. Ken showed me his years ago before I really knew what was going on with it and suggested I get one from Carroll Rolles which I didn't do.....my bad. Gotta get one or make my own now as I'm tired of fighting barrels.

Bill

BrianPowley · Dec 30, 2015

Great looking work, el Presidente!

Gold inlaying letters on a Colt SAA second generation Barrel, by Barry Lee Hands

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