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Any authentic inscription that is more than 100 years old will generally add some interest and value to a gun.

MODERN ENGRAVED GUNS

Engraved firearms have to be evaluated as individual works of art. Some of the factors that must be considered include skill of workmanship, extent of coverage, artistic appeal and uniqueness. Factory engraving will bring a premium over engraving of unknown origin. Sparse coverage brings less than full coverage.

For example, Smith & Wesson offers three standard levels of engraving. Their “C” is 1/3 coverage, with recent pricing ranging in the $800 to $1,250 range, depending on the size of the gun (this is the engraving charge, and does not include the base price of the gun). The S&W “B” engraving is 2/3 coverage and runs in the $1,300 to $1,500 range, while full or “A” coverage engraving costs around $1,400 to $1,900.

Colt’s custom engraving runs the opposite direction. Colt’s “A” engraving is the least coverage, and the scale runs up to “D” grade full coverage. Colt also offers varying qualities of engraving: Standard, Expert and Master. According to the Blue Book of Gun Values recent pricing for Colt’s top of the line Master grade engraving, signed by the master engraver, on a Colt Single Action Army was $1,163 for A; $2,324 for B; $3,487 for C; and $4,647 for D.