Joe Wood evaluated a gun similar to that for me once. He advised me to feel the engraving with my fingers. Tactile examination tells the tale. If you can feel little burrs in the hand engraving and the engraving is very crisp, then it may well not be redone. If smooth, it probably is. Hard to tell from photos. Joe’s theory is good, I think.
How does that theory work out when the restorer freshens up the engraving, buzz? Not discounting Joe's theory, or arguing, just thinking out loud. Lots of people get the engraving "picked up" when doing a resto. But, totally agree that if the engraving is perfectly smooth it has been polished since.
SRH
