What engraving level are you wanting to buy, Ted? No offense…but you couldn’t afford Winston Churchill. I couldn’t either. Not many could. No sense in dreaming about what Winston could’ve done for you. Wasn’t happening anyway. Being an art enthusiast myself…I probably have different opinions on what level various engravers might be at. What is best quality to some people is pure junk to someone else’s eyes. I personally think that Winston Churchill’s stuff was very nice but somewhat overrated….especially when compared to what comes out of the shops of Pedersoli, Giovanelli, Pedretti, Torcoli, etc. Anyone who thinks that Italians just do bulino game scenes and animals are embarrassingly ignorant. These guys are Maestro’s. They can do it all at levels that are mind boggling. They are the very best the world has produced. It doesn’t even come close. Even some current Americans have surpassed the artistic ability and capabilities of Winston. Many of these American engravers have studied under some of these Maestros.
In regards to price….expensive engraving is arguably a “recent” development. I’ve study some cash books from various London and Birmingham gunmakers, it’s unbelievable how cheap (cost) good engraving was. Especially when you compare the price of the finished gun to what the engraver was charging for best quality work. The prices charged for top quality engraving was minuscule in comparison. It was also eye opening to see how fast the very best engravers would turnaround the work…sometimes done in as little as a few days!!!! A lot of engravers, even the very best died destitute. Obviously, times have changed. Some engravers these days start at 3k plus to do a watch case. Yea, expensive. Good for them.
There’s quite a few engravers in the U.S. that are top shelf artist and extremely capable.
Theres good ones out there. One of finest artist/engravers in the U.S. lives about 20 miles from me. I’ve taken classes at his home. I have a feeling people are being a bit tight lipped about who they use these days. I know I am. Once the names of talented and competent folks get out there in the public….funny how wait times and prices start going up!!
Mr. Brian would do well and take SamW’s advice. There’s a bunch of very very capable engravers on the FEGA page.
http://www.fega.com/MemberWebPages/MasterPage1.asp
