I went through a phase with an interest in engraving.  I was thinking of commissioning some work on a Colt.  On recommendation of others more knowledgeable than I, I picked up “Advanced Drawing of Scrolls For Engravers, Artists, Designers, Craftsmen” by Ron Smith (2005).  I studied it closely and read it in detail and yet don’t consider myself qualified to speak authoritatively on the subject.  I can, though, as some judge once opined “know it when I see it.”  The scrolls on this 94 are very crude, not smooth in the cutting (jerky), lack detail, uniform background, or uniformity in depth, and appear to be done by an artist who is trying hard and on his way but not there yet.  While some lack of uniformity is done with artistic intent, that does not appear to be the case here.

I guess even the best would admit they are not there yet and are always learning/perfecting but on a scale of 1-10 I’d put this at a 5 or 6.  Way better than anything I could do, but that’s not saying much because I can’t do anything.  For comparison, I’d put most factory engraving at an 8 or 9.

Just my opinion.

P.S.  Note what appears to be the start of an abandoned scroll above the tip of the feline tail.

Huck Riley said
I went through a phase with an interest in engraving.  I was thinking of commissioning some work on a Colt.  On recommendation of others more knowledgeable than I, I picked up “Advanced Drawing of Scrolls For Engravers, Artists, Designers, Craftsmen” by Ron Smith (2005).  I studied it closely and read it in detail and yet don’t consider myself qualified to speak authoritatively on the subject.  I can, though, as some judge once opined “know it when I see it.”  The scrolls on this 94 are very crude, not smooth in the cutting (jerky), lack detail, uniform background, or uniformity in depth, and appear to be done by an artist who is trying hard and on his way but not there yet.  While some lack of uniformity is done with artistic intent, that does not appear to be the case here.

I guess even the best would admit they are not there yet and are always learning/perfecting but on a scale of 1-10 I’d put this at a 5 or 6.  Way better than anything I could do, but that’s not saying much because I can’t do anything.  For comparison, I’d put most factory engraving at an 8 or 9.

Just my opinion.

 

P.S.  Note what appears to be the start of an abandoned scroll above the tip of the feline tail.  

If you are talking about the little circle, Isn’t that a pin? I personally thinks it looks pretty nice. Enjoy shooting it.

lund2075 said

If you are talking about the little circle, Isn’t that a pin?   

It could be, but as a lay person, I don’t know what a “pin” is in engraving.  I’m talking about the un-closed circle in the mountains and not the closed circle in the border.  The curved line coming into the tail from the rear also looks like the start of a leaf structure progression.