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I'm curious, Were there several engravers who did factory work on Smith, LeFever, Ithaca, etc during the same general time frame?

I ask due to similarities not in the patterns but general style I've seen on several of the above listed guns of the same general ages. Thanks for any info.

As to the original question I personally favor my 21 due to how it works for me. But all makers have strengths that appeal to the people who own the model or models that appeal to that person.

I think that an AH Fox is the most beautiful boxlock made in USA and the best designed.Parker has best workmanship.High grade Lefevers and Smiths best engraving.Bobby

I don't know how many (if any) engravers did work for multiple gunmakers, but I suspect some of them probably did.

I know Frank Mason was the primary engraver for Baker Gun & Forging Co. until approximately 1907. He did the engraving on their high grades and maybe worked on some of the A and B grades that were engraved (instead of etched). I've heard that he may have also done work for Lefever Arms in Syracuse as well, but I have my doubts.

Joseph Loy was the engraver for Ithaca on their higher grades. But I've seen other doubles (some Remington 1894) that have very similar dogs, game birds, scroll, etc. and have read that Loy may have worked on these. So maybe some of the better engravers did freelance some with other firms.

I have a feeling that certain patterns and compositions that were very popular were "copied" and the engravers used similar styles and simply put their own spin on things.