Thoughts on Shields and Ovals

[Alfred Houde]

What are the thoughts or opinions of engraving these with owner initials?

I recently obtained a second-hand Purdey (circa 1901), which has interesting prior ownership, but the oval remains blank. None of my Parkers have the shields engraved.

My Purdey is currently up at G&H having minor work done. I was thinking of having my last name initial engraved onto the oval, since I am the fourth known owner and plan to eventually give it to my son.

[Rick Losey]

I just redid the stock on a VH- someone had lightly scratched initials in the shield (so lightly they came out when I went over the stock with 400 grit paper - I think that is the only one I have ever had with them

I am always a little surprised no one has put them on over the years - but then again - neither have I

as far as adding yours to your gun, its your gun for now - why not

[George M. Purtill]

I probably wouldn't do it to a vintage Parker. I love it when I get a vintage Parker with provenance engraving on the shield.
I did do it on my Parker Repro duck gun.

[Brian Dudley]

Shields and ovals are something that were installed on all parkers (except) trojan grade, for the purpose of personalized engraving by either the factory or later on down the line. But a vast majority of them were never engraved and still are not.

I do not think that a name or initials engraved on the shield that is of the period is really too much of a value detractor from a collector standpoint. If anything, it supports provanance if there may be any.

I own a JP Sauer Mauser sporting rifle that was owned by a US congressman From Minnesota who was also a third generation member of the Pilsbury Bakery family.
I would not have even known it was his rifle if it were not for his name engraved in the stock oval.

I would say that having your name engraved in the shild now is a bit different than it being done back when, but who cares, if you want to do it, then go ahead.

[Jeff Christie]

I think engraved shields add interest in the gun. My great grandfathers DHE has his initials and home town engraved. I would like to think that here in Iowa it would be returned if he left it somewhere.

[Hal Sheets]

I've had the ovals, on both my (1950s) 12ga. Webley & Scott and my 20ga. Parker Repro., engraved with my initials by Geoffroy Gournet. I couldn't be happier, his work is outstanding.
I am the first owner of both guns and figure why not let someone in the future know I was here. Hope it will be a family member!
I understand shield or ovals can have the initials buffed off and changed, but I wouldn't do that if somebody owned the gun first. Unless they had scratched them in with a dull nail.

[Phil Yearout]

Here's a dumb question: are the shields removed before engraving or engraved on the stock?

[Brian Dudley]

Engraved on the stock.

[James J. Roberts]

I've done more game bird heads on shields and ovals,quail,woodcock,grouse,duck,geese and some time Monograms initials in scrip. J.J.

[Jack Kuzepski]

I have an early LC Smith Quality 2 transitional gun with the owners name, city and state engraved on a gold shield. It's the only gun I own that has anything personalized on it and I really like it. All the rest of my guns including Parkers have blank shields.

Jack Kuzepski

[charlie cleveland]

the first parker i ever bought a 10 ga ph grade had a fellows name on the crest..all of my other parkers have been with no names...i ve always wondered about this fellow on the crest he had to have been a duck hunter i m sure...charlie

[Will Gurton]

I found a basket case Tournament Grade Remington Autoloader, I know blasphemy Lol, that I used for my first go at stock refinishing. Since it was a learning experience I made and inlet a stock oval that I had my monogram engraved on.

I'm glad I did.

Will

[Brian Dudley]

That is the D grade model 11, right?

[Will Gurton]

Correct Brian.

If you'd like to see some before and after pictures just email me at williamgurton (at) Hotmail (dot) com .

Unfortunately, I've never took the time to make myself understand how to photobucket.

Will

[Brian Dudley]

I currently have a nice original B grade and C grade trap in my collection. Been looking for a high condition A grade, but most of them are beat to hell and i will likely be looking for a while. And the grade higher than what i have that I always seem to come across is the F. The D and E are not often seen.

In that early era of the model 11, Remington could really put together a nice gun.

[Will Gurton]

Just happened on a nice 1913 No.1 grade, they didn't change to letter designations until 14-15.

Like you I've been looking for a really nice Pre-Model 11 Standard Grade but since this one was in such nice condition I didn't pass.

Right down to the nitre blued Magazine Spring Retainer!

Will

[chris dawe]

Those Remingtons are really nice for sure ,the only repeater I own is a D grade .....I lucked into it a couple years ago ,I've had a couple offers to part with it ,but its not happening

[WmRike]

I have a 1929 Smith Crown grade double trap with an engraved oval in the grip cap. First, it can sometimes be near to impossible to decipher the scroll. Second, I have to assume the gun was used by a fairly serious trapshooter and would have been an ATA member. I have searched the Average Books and found no matches. I cannot describe my frustration on that point. Third, I still think engraved ovals and shields are fascinating, and it shows that someone took pride in their gun. On this last point, do any of you think that maybe the personalized guns are, today, in better shape than the non-engraved?

[edgarspencer]

I have an 1898 Titanic barreled CH that belonged to a Canadian Trap shooter named Robert Montgomery. He won the silver medal in the 1923 Paris Olympics, though I have nothing to indicate it was won with this gun.
It has two shields, one on the toe line with his initials, and another silver one at the rear of the comb. This unusual shield is documented in the PGCA letter.

[James J. Roberts]

WmRike,I would say yes an engraved firearm would be babied with TLC but I take all my firearms out the vault and check them over and wipe them all down once a mouth. J.J.

[Alfred Houde]

I had a partial restoration done to my 1901 Purdey 12 gauge. Part of that was having the oval engraved.

[Alfred Houde]

The stock had a tiny crack behind the right side-plate. There was also a sliver of wood missing from the fore-end. I had those repaired and the wood re-finished, as well as having the barrels re-blacked. Oval engraved, the rest I left alone. Lots of original color case left on the locks and frame.