My First Firearm Engraving

Doc Mark

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Joined
Nov 16, 2006
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Hampton, Virginia
I figured after being a member of FEGA for over 2 years, that I should take the leap and engrave at least one firearm! I decided to use my old CCW, an inexpensive Kel-Tec 9mm. It had the advantage of already being in my possession, unimportant if I screwed up big-time and most importantly, it has all flat surfaces.

The First Cardinal Rule in gun engraving (just as in medicine) is "DO NO HARM". So I kept the design a straight forward basic Classic Scroll with no background removal. Unfortunately, "Basic" does not mean "easy" in my hands. Needless to say, this engraving has more "elbows" than are on a statue of Shiva! The first big boo-boo was cutting the borders way too deep and wide. This then affected the scroll cutting when I approached the borders with the next curving line. I also found, as has been stated many times before, that cutting real firearm steel is not the same as mild steel practice plates. Although this particular gun was pretty easy to cut, there were several spots where it became "glass hard" and the graver began to slide. I particularly had trouble following my guide lines because the lines were too thick when I transfered them to the metal. I should have taken the time to run the hand drawings through a "Trace" program and vectorize them. I'll know better next time.

I also learned a lot about the grunt work involved with prepping the gun before starting the engraving. Thanks to all who helped me understand filling and finish work a little better. I thought that I had done an OK job until I saw it under the scope! The cold blue from Brownells that was recommended worked very well. You can't really tell in the photos of the final bluing due to the lighting but you can't tell by looking at the slide, which areas were not stripped and still had the original blue and which were cold blued.

In all, the assembled pistol looks pretty good, as long as you use Ron Smith's principle of viewing engraved firearms strictly in hand with no magnification. I would like to suggest the addition of an "Arm's Length and A Half Rule" also be mandatory.

Anyway, here is my first attempt, warts and all, please give your valued, honest critiques.


Mark
 

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Last edited:

Andrew Biggs

Moderator
Joined
Nov 10, 2006
Messages
5,034
Location
Christchurch, New Zealand
Hi Mark

Congratulations!!! Your first gun.

Yes, you've made mistakes but the most critical thing is that you know what they are, how to remedy them and things to be more careful with in the future.

There's nothing like "hands on" experience to teach you these things.

Well done. :)

Cheers
Andrew
 

RT Bit and Spur

Elite Cafe Member
Joined
May 17, 2007
Messages
279
It will be many guns before you don't say " I can do better". Keep cutting and keep posting.
Rod
 

Arnaud Van Tilburgh

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Joined
Oct 3, 2008
Messages
4,221
Location
Belgium
It looks very well done, and good it is yours as it is the "first".
First is always special, like "first girl/boy friend" :D

arnaud
 

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