Cheap scratchings are worse than no engraving, as low end Spanish guns illustrate so well. I call it the "dull cold chisel" school of engraving.
Of course, cheap Spanish work has no monopoly on bad taste.
A plain case coloured Spanish action is quite pleasing to me.
Roll engraving raised the bar for economy decoration of wide empty spaces, as has laser engraving, when well done. When badly done it is no better than chicken scratching of an earlier era.