Engraved Rifle & Pistol -- anything good or bad??

1988rrc · Post by **1988rrc** » Wed May 28, 2008 12:26 pm

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:06 pm

Are you asking if they are worth buying? They look well done.

Looks like true cut engraving, not electro-acid etching.

There is much so-called engraving around today that is electro-acid etching. It looks nice, but it's not engraving, nor is it expensive (tho those that apply it want REAL money to apply it, and CALL it engraving) or require any particular expertise, artistic abilty, or skill to apply.

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:18 pm

To me the only disadvantage would be the added cost to make a tool I'm gonna get dirty and maybe scratched all purtied up. But then I'm a shooter, not a collector.

1988rrc · Post by **1988rrc** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:38 pm

yes I am wondering about the quality of the engraving and the firearms. They are Uberti manufactured; not sure about the oak case. I'm also wondering if they were made as a set. I'm looking for any info you all may have on these, good and bad.

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:40 pm

I'm kind of weird, when I can afford an engraved Colt SAA, I'll carry and shoot it like any other gun, and have no regrets. I'd also like to get my 1886 Browning carbine partial engraved, with gold bands on the barrel. It will still be a carry gun, in any weather,.....Engraved guns that have been used take on a particulary interesting character.

On some of the forums that cater to modern guns, some guys are so happy that they have 20 cheap guns. I'd rather have a few very nice ones.

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:44 pm

Just saw your post after I posted my last one,...

The engraving looks like decent quality, the style looks a little more modern, tho I may be mistaken. If you are wanting to buy them, they may be a good investment, depending on the premium being charged for the engraving. I believe you can get on the Uberti web site and price engraving. I wouldn't pay any more than the factory for the same engraving, unless the engraver is well known and does verifiable high quality, recognized work. Do you know who did the engraving work?

Clearer pics would help,...some were not in focus.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:51 pm

Good-lookin' smoke poles; bad-lookin' tootsies.

Uberti's, or not - that's a mighty fine set of Bar-B-Q guns.

The case looks to have been made for the set - a call to the Uberti Importer should tell the tale.

The cost of the engraving, etc, not withstanding - they're a lot more available, and prolly cheaper ,than a set of gennies.

I'd buy them, if I had the grease.

KCSO · Post by **KCSO** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:58 pm

I once asked Doc Carlson about carrying his engraved SAA. He told me , "well at least the scratches don't show".

If you want to judge the quality of the engraving i would buy a copy of James Meeks book and then give them a close look. It seems to me to be typical Italian engraving and at current prices should add about $500 to the cost of the base gun. The case appears to be home made to me or rather I don't remember seeing a case like that offered by Uberti. I would make sure that the wood was real and not an applied finish as lately they have a process of painting on the grain and rubbing alcohol will soak off the graining and leave plain wood.

Too fancy for me to carry in the back of the jeep.

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Wed May 28, 2008 3:21 pm

I like em

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Wed May 28, 2008 3:39 pm

That set looks beautiful. I can't see the detail of the engraving, but it does look like a high quality job from what I can see.

bsaride · Post by **bsaride** » Wed May 28, 2008 3:54 pm

That wood looks illegal!!!!

Better stay away from them, might get busted

Rod WMG · Post by **Rod WMG** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:41 pm

"That wood looks illegal!!!!"

That forearm is stunning!

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:45 pm

Heck, I went right past "drool" to falling on the floor! You need to post a warning before showing anything that good looking!!!

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Thu May 29, 2008 12:35 am

1988rrc wrote:yes I am wondering about the quality of the engraving and the firearms. They are Uberti manufactured; not sure about the oak case. I'm also wondering if they were made as a set. I'm looking for any info you all may have on these, good and bad.

I'm pretty sure it's in house Uberti engraving. Sort of a combination European and 19th century USA Louis D. Nimschke, Gustave Young.
Somewhere on there should be the name of the Importer. It could even be Uberti USA. If you can determine who the importer is and give them a call they should be able to tell you if this was a matched set. Uberti USA doesn't exist anymore but you might call VTI and talk to Lisa. She would probably know the history.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Thu May 29, 2008 6:50 am

Boy....I like those shooters!
Very nice engraving......

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Thu May 29, 2008 7:19 am

That looks like pretty nice factory work.

Just an fyi,
Here's the guy Marlinman93 turned me on to, for engraving and other special stuff.

http://www.gunfancy.com/

1988rrc · Post by **1988rrc** » Thu May 29, 2008 12:16 pm

heres what i have found out:
the rifle was distributed by Allen Firearms, Santa Fe, NM; it was discontinued in 1985 with 1000 units made. there was a justin boot commemorative set consisting of a oak case, matched sn 1866 rifle and 1873 saa both engraved; so it could be possible the oak case with the set in the photos could be correct?? when i get my hands on them, i will take better photos and share.

1988rrc · Post by **1988rrc** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:05 pm

A little bit more info for those interested:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =101090942

this is a link that shows a Uberti oak case for a pistol; it is the same type design and assembly as the case i have shown above. i have seen somewhere (i think VTI site) there is a rifle & pistol combo case available from Uberti, but i cant find a picture of it......So, it looks as if the case is correct but whether or not it came as a package with the rifle and pistol has not been determined.

the set arrived yesterday and i will take photos the afternoon and post.

1988rrc · Post by **1988rrc** » Sat May 31, 2008 4:52 pm

the butt stock on the left side has some bad spots in it where the clear coat has been rubbed off setting in the oak case; its not bad, would refinishing the stocks a bad idea?

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Sat May 31, 2008 5:31 pm

I have one engraved gun, also a uberti made for the american historical foundation. General george S patten commemertive. I bought it because I somehow got a huge deal on it many years ago. It also is silver plated.
I havent made myself shoot it as I have a colt .45 colt saa and some clones to shoot.

Post by **David** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:58 am

1988rrc wrote: the butt stock on the left side has some bad spots in it where the clear coat has been rubbed off setting in the oak case; its not bad, would refinishing the stocks a bad idea?

Ok I admit, I have a "few" Safe queens, I'll use the excuse that I like in IL and not that far out of Chicago, it's HARD to even find a place to shoot anymore....

As a long time collector who also keeps in perspective investment, I know people don't like to hear that but some day we all die or have to send our kids to college, do NOT refinish ANYTHING or it will destroy the collectors value. Fixing/repairing/replacing an internal part for functionality other then that just don't do it. There is those among use who say if a gun is already a piece of c...p and not particularly rare then restoring is acceptable, not my bag of course I wouldn't have purchased it in the first place, but I'd still share a beer with them.

I have little experience with a modern collectibles but if this is going in for long term storage make sure it's good and clean, oiled, and put a coat of Renaissance Wax on it (metal, wood, everything) and it'll stay looking just that way when it again when it comes back out in 30 years... Actually this will let you look at, hold, pass around for more looks, and put back away without worrying about making sure you didn't miss a fingerprint someplace.

1988rrc · Post by **1988rrc** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 2:02 pm

I keep finding out bits and pieces.....

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/conte ... 73_boi.jsp