Cost of replicating drilling engraving today?

[jillandsam303]

This is just a theoretical question that I'd love to hear GGCA reaction to. I've collected about 10 wonderful drillings and marvel at the quality of craftmanship of the early engravers in Germany and Austria. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of firearms engravers today that can duplicate the level in some of my drillings? Thanks Sam.2014-12-23 11.01.41.jpg2014-12-23 11.01.59.jpg

[mike ford]

JillandSam303,
The factories typically had more or less standard engraving patterns for the drillings and other guns, they sold to dealers for retail to the public. Typically, they would have a hunting scene for the "Luxus" models, and some lesser coverage pattern( scroll, flowers, oak leaves, etc.) for the standard models. They typically employed "in house" engravers, working under the supervision of a "meister". The younger, less experienced, engravers did the standard patterns, and as their skill, speed, and experience improved, they would be assigned hunting scenes to engrave. They were paid a fixed wage or salary, depending upon company policy and skill level. The engravers would be expected to meet certain production standards, often, one pattern per day. Depending upon policy and/or availability of engravers, some factories/producers may have chosen to "contract out" the engraving, on a piece work basis, with the price being subject to agreement between the parties. "Bespoke" or custom guns, would be engraved by outside engravers, sometimes the "in house" "meister", on his own( not company) time and priced according to agreement between the parties for the particular pattern, coverage, and skill of the engraver; with due consideration of the reputation of the engraver. As you can see from examples of different aged work, the quality of engraving has generally improved over the years, and todays best engravers are better than in the past, resulting from increased competition, and I believe , better publicity given to quality work. Within the better engravers of all ages are/were those that were great with scroll or flower work, but not so much with figures. On the other hand, there were those that were/are great with figures, but not so good with scrolls. Then there are/were those few that were/are great with everything. The best engravers, like any other artists, don't necessarily have the best reputation-yet. Having their work publicized by a well known writer will greatly improve the reputation of an engraver, but not necessarily the quality of work.
Mike

[jillandsam303]

Current Top Engravers?

Mike, thanks for the great historical information. Have you heard of any engravers working today able to duplicate (or exceed) older drilling quality? Sam

JillandSam303,
The factories typically had more or less standard engraving patterns for the drillings and other guns, they sold to dealers for retail to the public. Typically, they would have a hunting scene for the "Luxus" models, and some lesser coverage pattern( scroll, flowers, oak leaves, etc.) for the standard models. They typically employed "in house" engravers, working under the supervision of a "meister". The younger, less experienced, engravers did the standard patterns, and as their skill, speed, and experience improved, they would be assigned hunting scenes to engrave. They were paid a fixed wage or salary, depending upon company policy and skill level. The engravers would be expected to meet certain production standards, often, one pattern per day. Depending upon policy and/or availability of engravers, some factories/producers may have chosen to "contract out" the engraving, on a piece work basis, with the price being subject to agreement between the parties. "Bespoke" or custom guns, would be engraved by outside engravers, sometimes the "in house" "meister", on his own( not company) time and priced according to agreement between the parties for the particular pattern, coverage, and skill of the engraver; with due consideration of the reputation of the engraver. As you can see from examples of different aged work, the quality of engraving has generally improved over the years, and todays best engravers are better than in the past, resulting from increased competition, and I believe , better publicity given to quality work. Within the better engravers of all ages are/were those that were great with scroll or flower work, but not so much with figures. On the other hand, there were those that were/are great with figures, but not so good with scrolls. Then there are/were those few that were/are great with everything. The best engravers, like any other artists, don't necessarily have the best reputation-yet. Having their work publicized by a well known writer will greatly improve the reputation of an engraver, but not necessarily the quality of work.
Mike

[Axel E]

As the engraving you show is above avarage "Suhl standard engraving", but not top notch, there are many engravers in Europe who can exceed the quality. Just two examples with websites of their own, both members of the GGCA:
Hendrik Fruehauf http://gravuren-fruehauf.de/
Evelyn Ern http://www.max-ern.com/english/home.htm
some more pics may be found here http://www.buechsenmachergilde.de/Mitglieder.html
Of course, such high quality engraving is expensive!

[mike ford]

jillandsam303,
I haven't been to Germany since 1982, and I'm sure the ones I knew have either retired, passed on, or have gone into other work in the meantime. It's scary to think it has been 36 years, it seems like last year. I did meet a couple young ones, in addition, but I don't remember their names like I do the meisters. Axel has given the names of a couple that are members here and they fall in the category of the best that I mentioned above.
Mike

[Diz]

jilland sam303,

I know a gentleman by the name of Geoffrey Gornette that lives near me who is one of the finest engraver I know. He is not cheap but his work is worth it. Here is a link to his site. I believe Turnbull can handle high end engraving as well. Very nice looking gun by the way.

http://www.gournetusa.com/

Good luck, Diz

[jillandsam303]

Many thanks Diz. I may call him.

Sam

jilland sam303,

I know a gentleman by the name of Geoffrey Gornette that lives near me who is one of the finest engraver I know. He is not cheap but his work is worth it. Here is a link to his site. I believe Turnbull can handle high end engraving as well. Very nice looking gun by the way.

http://www.gournetusa.com/

Good luck, Diz

[jillandsam303]

Axel, just what I was looking for. Sam

Here's my Weisgerber's engraving that may be the best in my collection.P1130612.jpg W-WEISGER-SIDELOCK-PRE-WAR-DRILLING-20X-20-X-219-ZIPPER_101009116_401_E1F16B9F689D0297.jpg W-WEISGER-SIDELOCK-PRE-WAR-DRILLING-20X-20-X-219-ZIPPER_101009116_401_21B840C1D791F6D1.jpg

[Axel E]

As you are interested in postwar German gun engraving, you should get a copy of Peter Arfmann's book "Suhler Luxusgewehre". It shows many examples of high grade engraving with descriptions in German and English. It contains works and names of many talented engravers from the Suhl area. The book is available from the GGCA. Go to Online Store on this website – books – order number B068.