If the engraved/inlayed name, signature, or initials are factory original to the gun; and not something added aftermarket, they certainly do not make the gun any less collectible, desireable, or valuable regardless of the fact that the original owner cannot be identified. In the situation whereby such personal markings can conslusively link that gun to a celebrity or famous individual; values are most definately increased, as we have seen with guns owned by Teddy Rossevelt, Annie Oakley, and many others. I recently saw a Smith gun that originally belonged to the famous explorer, Admiral Peary; and one would certainly be correct to assume that his gold inlayed signature on the trigger guard increased its desirability and monetary value. But even in a worst case senario where the original owner's ID cannot be easily ascertained, such personal markings do not impact a gun's value and desireabilty as a shooter. I am aware of instances where reseachers finding such guns are often intrigued to the point of purchase by the possibility of those identifiers being the key to discovering a guns interesting history. Over the years I have personally witnessed and experienced dealers discounting the value of a gun offered to them by a seller because it had an owners initials engraved on the stock shield. In my opinion, such dealings are a bit under-handed as I don't believe anything so insignificant has ever detered anyone from buying what was otherwise a desireable gun; but to each his own, as everyone can make his own determination in that regard.

Last edited by topgun; 05/08/08 01:55 PM.