I saw a few hand graved C96s, probably done by professional jewel makers of that time. Those samples had light lines so engraver could put letters horizontally aligned in very nice way. No lines on this one, how to tell it's hand engraved?
The straight line/rectangular "chatter marks" in the engraved lines typical of a hammer tapped graver...also the square terminus of the lines. A pantographed marking has a swirl pattern in the lines and the ends are rounded.
I noted some different machining on the front of the magazine well. Is this unique? Is this a Banner chamber in 9mm export? A beautiful example. I would not call it engraved, it is more like a maker/owner marked.
Ron you can achieve straight lines and sharp corners with a pantograph, using a non-rotating diamond cutting tip but if the owner's name is period, I believe it would have of been done by hand.
All, As noted above, their are no "scribe lines" for the engraver to follow; to keep his work lined up properly...The letters appear deeper than if they were hand engraved and the regular cuts inside each letter makes it appear that a rotary tool/instrument was used; a pantograph. A very nice piece.
The stock looks original too. If stock is numbered to the gun (I bet it is), this rig has quite amount of value in the US. Banner in this condition with matching stock, if bore is great, could go $10K retail.
Sorry guys, that is not a pantographed marking. Light engraving lines can be cut by pushing or "walking" the graver just by hand. Heavier or deeper lines require mechanical assistance to move the engraving tool through the metal, usually by tapping with a small hammer. This produces the small incremental steps that can be seen in the engraving of the subject pistol. Many modern engravers use an air driven piston engraving tool, I think that one of the trade names for such a devise is "Gravermeister" or something like that. Once the heavy lines have been cut, a fine engraver may choose to go back over the cuts by hand to cut or burnish out the little steps or "chatter marks" but almost inevitably some vestiges of the steps remain.
Yes, lines can be cut with a non-rotating cutter in a pantograph, but only shallow cuts are possible. You see this style of engraving frequently on jewelry or other keepsakes that receive monograms or other personalized inscriptions.
Ron
Burgess, understood...just wanted the others to realize that the engraving being discussed is not a pantograph, rotating or otherwise.
Ron
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