New gun or recut engraving on current gun
 

This is somewhat of a mental exercise, but was curious of people's opinions. Especially those who have had engraving recut before.

I have a 3 dog DH that I absolutely love. The wood is great, the checkering is great, the damascus barrels and the SSBP are great.

Unfortunately the engraving is faint. Especially on the floor plate.

My question is I can save my money and get a gun I absolutely love to shoot to have better engraving, or I can save my money even longer and add a nicer DH to the collection....

Any suggestions from past experience?

3 dog DH is a fairly rare gun especially as you describe it. Price chasing the engraving from a reputable engraver such as J.J. Roberts or G. Gourmet and compare to another purchase. It's your dime.

You say you love the gun. What else is there to think? Have it recut and love it even more.

Leave it as it is if it hasn't been messed up by someone else. If original, that's part of its history.

Nothing against the gentlemen already mentioned for re-engraving but I have seen some phenomenal recut engraving come out of Doug Turnbull's shop that I couldn't tell from original Parker Bros. engraving.




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Dean, I believe that would be Noelle's work. In talking with her she had been doing some work for Doug.

Nope Dave, not Noelle's... this is from several years ago.





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http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=14210

Is the gun. As I said I love everything about it, just wish the engraving was stronger.

Bill, to begin with, your DH was made in a period when the engraving was cut very finely but not deep at all. That, coupled with a lot of use can really affect the appearance of the engraving. I have a DH 2-Frame with near perfect engraving but, again, from that same period. It's even hard to see it well unless held in just the right light. The dog on the floor plate is very unusual - especially in a gun as late as yours is. That was a more popular engraving theme 5 - 10 years earlier than yours.

If you choose to have the engraving re-cut, you really need to investigate the folks who say they can do it properly.... you need to see examples of their work. Again, I would contact Turnbull Restorations.





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Bill,
I vote go for it. You're not into the gun for a ton of money, it would look great with the engraving cleaned up an re-case hardened! Send it to Brian Dudley, he'll make some new floor plate screws, polish it up and send it to Gournet for you.