Well, as that I am currently also putting together a VH to CH upgrade, I had to look at how much money I had to go around for all the engraving work. Also, I was not quite wanting to do all the bolster sculpting required to make it a grade 3 and up style gun.

Since this gun is clearly a custom shooter and not intended to be a faithfull grade 2 replica. I do intend on giving the engraver a little free reign as to what to put down as long as it is similar in style to the a grade 2 gun. Which leaves things open a little for interpretation since grade 2 guns varied a bit in complexity over the years.

My first thought was to just do very simple border engraving and keep it VERY simple. But I know I would regret that later on.

A very exciting project. Thank you for sharing the journey!

I then put the milled lightening cuts into the water table. I used a 3/8" ball end mill. The cuts are. .10" deep. Then the serial number was re stamped in the left rear cut. I did not stamp a grade number since I am not really "cloning" a particular grade.

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Brian Why don't you make up your own grade for the gun. then in 100 or 150 years you will leave all the experts stumped.

I got my barrels back from Geoffroy Gournet today. He did a great job on putting down the engraving on the barrels. The intention was to emulate the look of the earlier hammer guns with un-matted ribs.

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And below is a photo of the bottom of the frame all polished out with side sculpting fully cleaned up. The trigger plate and triggers are also polished out.

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knew I should have stopped :corn:

drove right by this afternoon, I would like to see that one in progress.

it is looking really nice.

Sorry Rick, I was out getting in one last Grouse Hunt for the season with a friend this afternoon. So, I wasn't home.
But, you are welcome to stop in anytime.

Really nice Brian. Too bad you could'nt finish the barrels in a faux damascus pattern, but i'm sure it will be stunning after it is blued.

Will Parker Brothers be engraved anywhere on the side plates? I didn't see it in the photos.

Yeah. Parker Bros will be on the side plates. The remnant of the original name is still on the plates now. I still have a little more polishing to do.