Anyone ever take an engraving classes for firearms?

5.56RifleGuy

New member
I'm looking to start a career and engraving firearms and other items seems like it would be very rewarding. I'm sure it will take a lot time to get good, but you have to start somewhere.

But where do you start? Did any of you take any classes to learn the basics?

I would like to try my hand at this, but I have no idea where to start.

Thanks,
Devin
 
The European Masters, especially the best from Italy, start as apprentices in a Master's Studio and it takes years of study, practice, etc. before they get to touch a gun - especially a high-end one.

Remember, there's no room for error at all, no "oops, my bad" when you misstep and ruin someone's gun

Here's one place to start:
http://www.fega.com/

and another:
http://www.acgg.org/about/

Good luck!
 
Thank you. I plan on making a lot of Hobo Nickels to start off with.

When I get more confident I think I may try my hand on some cheaper model guns.
 
There are two parts to engraving : the mechanical part of handling the tools requiring good eyesight and dexterity, and the artistic part which is the abitity layout patterns attractively and be able to make an animal look like one ! Many a painting, drawing and engraving that I've seen has been made by people who don't know the anatomy of the animal !


http://www.verney-carron.us/design/plain_site/images/pdf/US-luxe-2011-L_Atelier_Verney-Carron.pdf

here are some drawings and resulting engravings of cape buffalo by someone who obviously knew both parts of engraving !
 
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Here's one by a Master:

100193856-2-L.jpg


and another:

100193856-3-L.jpg


These are enlarged for the details - they are on the side and bottom of a gun, respectively.

The artist is Firmo Fracassi, (and his daughter is considered even better)

The depth, shadows, etc - are all done with a bulino, hence the term "Bulino style"

PS - if you can in any way make the Reno show in January, you will see some fantastic work and get a chance to meet some of the best this country has to offer - maybe one of them might live near you and make you an apprentice - ya never know!

Good Luck! I wish I had that "artist's eye"
 
I was thinking in addition to game scenes it would be cool to do engravings of wood cuts like Durers Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.
 
NRA Summer Gunsmithing school or

Conner Prairie Arms Making Workshop in Oct. John Shippers is the instructor and he is a master. He wrote the best book on engraving (cost is about $95 for NMLRA members). John said get your bits, learn to sharpen them and then spend about 15 minutes each day hammering out a line. this develops your feel for the graver.
 
I'm friends with a graphic artist. From what I can tell, true artists need to be recognized (usually by their parent) at an early age and their skill nurtured while children. While you might be able to learn basic engraving, I don't see how you can come close to what the masters do without first being trained as an artist.
 
Browning A5's had a simple scroll pattern on the receiver....this was performed by the beginners in Liege, Belgium.....most were women. Engravers who showed promise were taken under the guidance of the "master engravers" and given more complicated tasks. If one achieved master engraver status they were allowed to sign their work. Many Browning firearms engraved and signed by a master engraver will bring nearly double what a non signed gun will fetch.
 
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