Re-engraving Stock Oval
 

Is this something that can or should be done on a gun with an engraved oval? Or, is it better replace?

It's nice to keep the original engraving even if it is worn... IMO





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It’s not that it’s worn. It’s that they aren’t my initials:)

Does the research letter support those initials?





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Since any Parker I own is older than me, I'd rather change my name than change the initials on one of my guns.

If you decide that you cannot live with someone else's name on the oval, it can in most cases be filed/polished off and left blank. Or even re-engraved if you want. Some minor finish touchup may be required. It also depends on how deep the engraving is that needs to be removed.

Personally this is my opinion... if the engraving on it is original or of the period, then leave it. But if it was obviously done way later and is too modern looking in style, then maybe consider wiping it out.

I don't want to bring up old wounds... but remember the last time you trued to have someones name removed from a gun?

I would never, OH forget it.

Is removal and retention of the engraved oval an option? If it has proven provenance, it could be retained with the gun for the next custodian and a new one could be engraved with current custodian’s initials. I have some that were engraved and just left them. Cheers Jack

Joe:

Here is a photo of the engraved shield on the 12-gauge, 1 ½-frame, 1915-manufactured DHE that my father purchased from his sporting goods store buddy as a pre-owned piece about 55 years ago. I own the gun now.

I do not know who “S. F.” was, and my attempts at researching who he was have yielded nothing to-date.

But I would never consider effacing these initials. For me the engraved shield is inestimable art and history, and the initials of this unknown-to-me shooter or hunter imparts an element of mystique that is at the heart of what attracts me, as temporary steward, to these guns.

The initials are part of the history of the gun. They help tell the story even if it’s a mystery.

OK, conversely, what about an oval on an old gun that's never been engraved. Would you do it?

I wouldn’t.

Don't destroy the originality or the history of your Parker, if your initials are required on the gun, have a competent gunsmith stamp them in the wood under the trigger guard.

At one time I had a DHE 30 inch VR trap gun that had the name and town (Cozad NE ) of the owner engraved on the left barrel. I thought about having it taken off but decided against it as it was now a part of the guns history. Research didn't turn up anything so the gentleman wasn't a top ranked ATA shooter. I'm glad I left it and sorry I sold the gun.

If your gun belonged to me I'd leave the initials as they are.

Initial
 

Never mind....

Gents, sorry, I got busy and haven't have a chance to reply. It's NOT on a Parker. I was asking more about the mechanics than of the moral of removing initials. The gun is a Beretta, and certainly not historic.

Brian, ouch, point well made. I belatedly agree.

I have a trojan 20 ga that i had brad bachelder restore. The gun will go to one of my 2 grandsons when im gone. I had Brad install an oval shield and engrave my initials on it. Reason: I want my grandson to have it as a reminder that it came from me.

A good example of that is my Browning A5 deer gun that was my grandfathers since new. After he died I put a brass inlay in the grip and Geoffroy engraved it for me. The gun has little value other than being that it was owned by him. So I did not think twice about it.

In Joe's case, now knowing that it is not a Parker or an example of erasing history, it is a little bit of a different story. Or maybe he would be erasing history.... hmmmm.

Attachment 72945

Brian, it is my gift to posterity. Some day, someone can say, WOW, I own Joe Graziano’s shotgun! ;-) haha.

I really love the brass inlay you placed into the grip in remembrance of your grandfather. Very nicely done.

Era correct possible provenance is Sigmund Freud. He had thoughts about guns. Maybe he had a deep desire to own, if only for a fleeting time, a great American shotgun. Anything is possible.