The Art of Engraving

Brings the reader - for the first time ever - a complete, authoritative, imaginative and detailed introduction to and training in the art of gun engraving. This book does not assume you know anything about engraving. You start at the beginning by learning to draw scrolls and layouts, then cut practice plates until you are sure enough of your ability to actually proceed to designing a pattern, transferring it to a gun and cutting it into the steel. Whether you want to learn to engrave now . . . think you might like to in the future. . . or simply wish to broaden your knowledge of art to be able to better judge the work of others (as you will learn to tell the good from the bad - and know why), this is the book for you.

A magnificent, deluxe book with nearly 1400 photos, drawings and designs. Many are concerned with gun engraving but the techniques can be universally applied. This is an instant classic on which no effort was spared. This beautiful book gives you complete instruction in the art of engraving. The author spent seven years creating this unsurpassed resource for hand engraving. 

It is a supremely unique book, for not only does it sweep aside the mystery which has surrounded engraving through the centuries, but it factually, simply and in layman's terms tells you how to engrave. Unlike so many so-called "instruction manuals", The Art of Engraving does not assume you know anything about engraving. You start at the beginning by learning to draw scrolls and layouts, then cut practice plates until you are sure enough of your ability to actually proceed to designing a pattern, transferring it to your piece and cutting it into the steel. Whether you want to learn to engrave now . . . think you might like to in the future . . . or simply wish to broaden your knowledge of the art to be able to better judge the work of others (as you will learn to tell the good from the bad - and know why), this is the book for you. 

Every gunsmith, bladesmith, metalsmith or craftsman - no matter what his other calling - has the soul of an artist. This personal, creative urge can be easily directed into the highly remunerative field of engraving through the coaching, no-nonsense instructions and technical support in The Art of Engraving.. 

Hundreds of original engravings, designs and layouts by the author (plus samples from other master engravers) to explain specific points and techniques. 208 extremely handsome 8½" x 11" pages. Over 1378 photographs, drawings, designs, layouts and illustrations.