How to Engrave Gun Metal

Engraving gun metal is not much different from engraving other metals.

Engraving gun metal is not much different than engraving other metals. Approach the project as you would approach any other metal engraving project. For an armature metal engraver, the task may seem daunting because engraving a gun is not like engraving a piece of scrap metal that you can throw away if you make a mistake. However, if you are careful and take your time with it, you don’t have to worry too much about making a mistake.

Things You'll Need

• Brush
• Water-based paint (any color)
• Pencil
• Handgraver
• Water
• Sponge
• Cloth

Instructions

1. Brush a thin coat of water-based paint onto the metal area that you are going to be engraving on the gun. The paint will make it easy for you to draw on the metal with a pencil, and it will wash off later. Let the paint dry for an hour.

2. Draw the design you want to engrave the gun metal with onto the painted area. Use a pencil to make the drawing because it is easy to erase if you make a mistake or want to make changes at this stage.

3. Engrave a thin, scratch-like line over the pencil drawing with a hand engraving tool, otherwise known as a handgraver. Make sure you get through the paint and into the metal. You’ll know you are scratching the metal because a thin scrap of metal will come out from the scratch made by the engraving tool.

4. Wash off the paint using warm water and a dishwashing sponge. Remove all of the paint, then dry off the metal using a dry cloth.

5. Trace over the thin scratches on the metal with the handgraver. Push the engraving tool into the metal and watch the furrow made by the tool. The harder you push on the tool, the deeper your engraving will be.

6. Wipe off any scraps of metal from the gun with a dry cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the gun is unloaded before you start handling it for the engraving process.

References

• TimeZone: The Art of Hand Engraving

Resources

• Airgraver: Engraving Tools
• GRengraving: Texas Country Reporter