How to Engrave Firearms
Gun owners like to engrave firearms to show ownership and add beauty to their firearms. Firearm engraving can range from simple initials to detailed scenes that cover a large portion of the gunmetal of the firearm. Engraving can add value to firearms because they are both functional and works of art. Learning to hand engrave a firearm is a simple process, but perfecting the technique is difficult and can take years of practice.
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Things You'll Need
- Sketch paper and pencil
- Acetone
- Distilled water
- Laser copier
- Gravers
- Engraving block, shellac stick, clamp or vise
- Grinding stone
- Grinding wheel or flex shaft (optional)
Instructions
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1
Use the sketch paper and pencil to sketch the design to engrave on the firearms.
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2
Unload the firearm.
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3
Clean the metal of the firearm where you plan to engrave with acetone. Rinse the firearm with distilled water. Let the firearm dry.
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Copy the sketch for the firearm with a laser (not inkjet) printer or copier. Transfer the copy to the firearm where you will engrave the design. Soak the back of the copy with acetone to transfer the laser toner ink to the metal on the firearm. Use just enough acetone to transfer the design, but take care not to use so much that you damage the firearm.
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5
Secure the firearm with a clamp, vise, engraving block or shellac so that it does not move during the engraving.
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Select a very sharp, highly polished graver in the shape and size you need to cut your sketched design onto the firearm. Slide the chosen graver across the metal to cut the outline of the design. Add shading and detail to the line by using different gravers in different shapes and sizes. For example, a wide flat graver will cut a wide line and a thin knife graver will cut a fine line. Gravers are usually made of steel and shaped similar to a chisel. Commercial gravers are usually made in knife, flat, round and onglette shapes and in widths from 0.2 mm to 2.4 mm wide. Commercial gravers are typically sold individually. Engravers often mount traditional gravers permanently on wood handles or temporarily on quick change handles sold for gravers, but other engravers prefer to use a hammer to hammer the graver into the metal of the firearm.
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Keep the graver sharp as you work. Sharpen the gravers one at a time by rubbing the graver against a lightly oil-coated sharpening stone. Hasten sharpening time by using a mechanical grinding wheel or flex shaft.
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Clean the engraved metal with soap and water when you are finished engraving. Allow the metal to dry.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice with scrap metal before you begin engraving a firearm.
Engraving is an easy technique to learn, but very difficult to perfect.
You cannot erase mistakes when you engrave since the process requires cutting the metal on the firearm.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Pistole image by Volker Schwere from Fotolia.com
