The old Mantra 'buy the gun, not the name' applies tenfold to engraving. What possible value is there in a name beyond the quality of the work?
While I can enjoy my plain field grade guns, having a bit of extra embellishment like nicer wood or some tasteful engraving is a nice touch that adds curb appeal. However, at some point, this extra embellishment of a gun changes it from being a mere tool, and transcends over into full fledged art. The gun becomes something that can be appreciated and enjoyed even when not shooting it. Even those who do not shoot can also appreciate the artistry and talent that went into it. It attains extra value, because of the artist who made it much more than just a gun. It could even reach a point where the owner wouldn't shoot it, because that might lessen its' value.
Several years ago, Terry Buffum posted a Thread on the old Lefever Forum about an Optimus Grade Lefever he found at the Las Vegas Arms Show. It was in deplorable and abused condition, with a shattered stock, severely pitted barrels, and quite a bit of heavy rust. A veritable train wreck, but it still sold for thousands of dollars, because of what it was. He saw the possibility of restoring it back to some of its' former beauty, and hired Keith Kearcher to do the work. While the barrels were pitted too deeply to ever shoot, he spent what was probably a considerable amount of money to save it. The worthless Damascus barrels were struck, polished, and reblued. Damaged engraving was picked up. Pitted metal was welded and dressed. The shattered Exhibition Grade stock was painstakingly pieced back together and refinished, to the point it was hard to tell it was ever broken. He saved it for the same reasons one would try to save a damaged DaVinci painting. I don't recall a single person who thought his efforts and expense was a waste, even though it would never be fired.
Ever since then, I have often wondered what sort of demented boorish oaf could allow such a beautiful and valuable gun to become so severely neglected. Thanks to the Nutty Professor, I finally have the answer.
