It all depends on the gun. Vintage guns should have engraving appropriate to the piece but a contemporary 21st century engraver would have few customers if he or she were to engrave the styalized animals of the 19th century on contemporary sporting arms.

The skill and artistry of today's top engravers is unparalleled by engravers of the "golden age." However the work of Joe Loy, L. D. Nimschke, and their better contemporaries looks perfect on the guns of their era.

If one is primarily a collector of vintage guns then the eye is basically attuned to the style of engraving found on them, however for the person who is an actual patron of the engraver's art (not just restoration engraving) then a different standard is usually expected.

On the other hand if one views all firearms as a "weapon" then no engraving would naturally be the choice.

Fortunately for those who want a gun engraved, there is a very strong field of excellent engravers both in the US and abroad to meet any taste or style of engraving.

CRB

C. Roger Bleile
Author of American Engravers-The 21st Century
FEGA Historian
www.engravingglossary.com