Looking for an engraver, preferably in the western US, that can replicate and pick up fine English rose and scroll engraving. Relatively rapid turn around time is important.
Thanks, for any suggestions.
40;
You may not be aware that picking up the engraving on a English gun that was originally case hardened is not a quick process or inexpensive process.
Firstly, (unless the gun was poorly hardened originally, or has the case hardened very very worn away) the action and other hardened parts of the gun will need to be sent to out to be annealed so that the engraver can have a surface soft enough to re-engrave. It is possible to re-engrave a case hardened action, but the effort is so great that no one wants to do it after they have done one--or tried to do so. Then after the re-engraving the action is sent out for re-hardening.
The re-hardening issue itself is a controversial matter, as re-hardening requires very high temperature in the range of 1400-1500 degrees F and then the action is quenched. Further to keep a English gun in proof after re-hardening requires the gun to be submitted for re-proof at Birmingham or London proof houses. Re-hardening can produce stress to the action and sometimes cracking occurs. One of my colleagues a well known Birmingham gunsmith with 50 years in the trade is strongly opposed to re-hardening because of the stress issues. So, one must be cautious in selecting a re-hardener.
Sometimes several hours work is required to refit the action to the barrels and fore-end after re-hardening. I have found that you can expect 2-3 hours work in this matter.
Turnbull here in USA can advise you, as well as St. Ledgers in Birmingham, England.
Of course you have the option of not re-hardening your gun after re-engraving.
