Is This a Deal?

[Fox Creek Kid]

I stumbled across this today on the Internet and for the engraving it looks to be a good deal or am I all wet?  Go here & scroll down:

http://www.classicgunsinc.com/FIREARMS.htm

[RRio]

Actually, It is a good price. If I had to replace my nickeled,4 3/4 .45 USFA, I'd be looking at about $1700. 

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Kid,
I think that I would want to see one of them "up close" before I put down my $2100.  The engraving looks to be very shallow, almost like it is etched on.
CJF

[Advertising]

[Doc Sunrise]

I would be seriously cautious as any "It's too good to be real" usually isn't.  I just got a Pre-War with Armory "A" Engraving and Tru-Ivory Grips that ran me $2100.00.  It is beautifull work by USFA's in house people.  The one you are looking at is Nickel and Engraved with more coverage and carved grips for the same price, my flags are way up.  I know you may pay more ordering your own direct from Gary, but if there is any kind of problem, USFA will make it right.  That is worth the extra change and then some to know for sure you will be getting what you really wanted.  On top of that, it builds your relationship with USFA, the ones building the gun, not somebody I don't know that may be gone tomorrow.  Just my two cents.

[Banjoman]

This is just a BTW, this particular revolver was not engraved by USFA.  Not sure who did it and didn't even know it existed until I saw this post.
Banjoman

[Deadeye Don]

Banjomans relpy make it even more suspect that this is laser type  and not true  engraving.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Thanks people, that's what friends are for. 

[RRio]

Kid,
I think that I would want to see one of them "up close" before I put down my $2100.  The engraving looks to be very shallow, almost like it is etched on.
CJF

I believe Capt. John is correct. I played with the photo some. It looks etched.

[Deadeye Don]

Ok what is the difference between etching and true engraving.  And how does laser technology come into play?  I know this particular gun has the look of very shallow "cuts" so probably not real engraving.

[Doc Sunrise]

From what I have read, here is the difference of Laser engraving vs. Laser Etching.

Laser engraving is the practice of using lasers to engrave or mark an object.  Depending on what material is being engraved will depend on the depth of the engraving.  The laser actually heats up and melts away the material.

Laser etching is laser engraving with the use of chemicals or acids, sometimes called chemical milling.

Then their is traditional engraving with a craftsman and cutting tools. 

It is in this area of firearm artistry that handmade is the authentic thing, atleast to me.  Don't get me wrong, I have pieces that are laser engraved that are very nice, but my pieces that are hand engraved are beautiful, not just nice.  Imagine a laser engraved piece that took a couple of hours vs. a hand engraved piece that took anywhere from 200 to 700 hours.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Imagine a laser engraved piece that took a couple of hours vs. a hand engraved piece that took anywhere from 200 to 700 hours.

Cost. Pure & simple. Very few will pay an engraver thousands of dollars as they simply don't have the money. I see both sides on the engraving issue. Sure, a Rolls Royce is the best car there is, but I cannot afford one. Remember, very few engravers do everything by hand any more. Most use power tools as time is money as power tools are simply more expedient. I see no problem with laser engraving as it is analagous to bringing something great to the masses. There will always be a niche for those who want to pay say a Winston Churchill to engrave their Holland & Holland, but they are not the market a laser engraver is trying to appeal to.

[Doc Sunrise]

As I stated, I also have laser engraved arms.  However, in light of the original question if a gun that is advertised as "Engraved, Nickel Plated with Carved Ivory Grips" a deal for $2100.00, we wanted to be clear that it is probably not USFA Factory Engraved.

I still would take a Factory in-house engraved (Armoury Engraved) firearm over a laser engraved or etched firearm.  As I stated I have a Pre-War with Tru-Ivory Grips with Armoury "A" Engraving that was $2100 that I would say in my opinion is a nicer firearm than the one in the advertisement.