What grade of guns did the engravers sign?

Jeff Bonadurer · 10-12-2011, 05:31 PM

***Maybe should be moved to the "Engraving and Engravers" forum thread*** sorry.

Hi All,
Just curious which grades or if all grades were signed by the engraver.
For example if a grade 3 or DH was signed, where and what would I look for?
Thanks for your time and happy shooting.

Best regards,

Jeff

Bruce Day · 10-12-2011, 05:34 PM

xxxx

Bill Murphy · 10-12-2011, 05:38 PM

AA Grades signed on the trigger plate at the trigger guard attachment point have been seen. The signature is hidden by the trigger guard.

John Havard · 10-12-2011, 07:22 PM

As I recall, according to the Parker books of all knowledge only a few D-grade guns were engraved by a well-known engraver in the '30's (again, as I recall). I don't remember his name but his D-grade embellishments were quite different from the norm. Otherwise my understanding is that grades below AA or higher were rarely if ever signed. In fact, it was not permitted for an engraver to sign his work (again) if I recall. The scroll work was done by the less-capable and the setters & pointers on D-grades were done by the higher-ranking engravers in house. But again, no signatures.

Dean Romig · 10-12-2011, 09:55 PM

John, that's about right on most points.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." is a quotation often repeated by my mother as I was growing up and I'll have to agree. Each engraver has his or her own style and, in my humble opinion, there are some dogs and birds engraved on D-grade and above Parkers that should have been left to an apprentice or journeyman engraver who was capable of executing some very fine arabesque and scroll engraving. What I'm trying to say here is that there were a couple of master engravers who's work I don't particularly care for... but that's just my taste. Like my Mother used to say, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

Jeff Bonadurer · 10-12-2011, 11:09 PM

Thanks Guys,
I am amazed how the engraving can be executed by hand with such exacting detail. It seems like
with other art forms the artists usually sign their work. If I had spent all the
time working / finishing a receiver so beautifully I would want to sign it, or intitial it.
Thanks for all the info.

Best regards,

Jeff

Dean Romig · 10-13-2011, 05:42 AM

It strikes me as a bit odd that several of the other artisans who worked on these guns marked them with their initials or special stamp but the engravers were not allowed to do so.

B. Dudley · 10-13-2011, 08:50 AM

A local Parker collector, whom some of his collection was used as reference for The Parker Story, was telling me of one particular engraver (can't recall the name) that marked his work on C grade and higher Parkers. A lot of the time he would insert his initials, very stylized, into the engraving border at the corners of the trigger plates on either side of the guard.

Bruce Day · 10-13-2011, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

....one particular engraver (can't recall the name) that marked his work on C grade and higher Parkers. A lot of the time he would insert his initials, very stylized, into the engraving border at the corners of the trigger plates on either side of the guard.

A photo, please.

Robert Rzepiela · 10-13-2011, 10:39 AM

Maybe it was a learning process for the company to allow initials or signatures. Pretty sure company would learn quickly that employees/contractors come and go while you (as owner) are trying to preserve the brand and reputation. Plus it would be really free advertisement for the people doing the work which may not be in your best interest.