Who Are The World’s Top Shotgun Engravers?

Krieghoff K80 · March 13, 2024, 04:58 PM

Shotguns engraved by world’s top shotgun engravers are highly coveted and those guns bring a financial premium when they are sold, but the top 5 engraver’s shotguns rarely trade - and are often hard to find. When it comes to ranking the world’s best shotgun engravers, from any objective criteria, the top Krieghoff engraver is G. Stoegner (aka G. Stogner). G. Stoegner, with 7 Krieghoff “Guns of the Year,” far more than any other engraver, has graced their guns, with deep detailed engraving, with little in the way of precious metal ‘frills’ - just pure classic deep engraving.
What makes the G.Stoegner (aka G. Stogner) even more special and rare is that I understand that Stoegner is no longer working due to old age, so the market for G. Stoegner guns has become increasingly more scarce, collectible and more expensive. My understanding is that #2 on the list is Jana Schilling (who is also about to stop or has already stopped working) and then down the line from there, including 3. Goeser, 4. Reich, 4. Nonn (tie), and 5. Creative Arts. These are the ”names” to own.

Who are your favorite Gun Engravers? Please share names and photos?

stuckinthe60s · March 13, 2024, 05:00 PM

therry duguet, va.

Krieghoff K80 · March 13, 2024, 05:03 PM

Cool, I just checked out his work online. He is in Charlottesville which is near me. I would love to check it out in person. Thank you!!

tmlynch · March 27, 2024, 05:15 PM

My daughter is in jeweler school in TN right now. She mentioned how she was looking forward to having a session with Jason Marchiafava (www.jfava.com), because his engraving is amazing.

She is correct; it is amazing. His gallery includes shotguns.

I don't know if he is "known" in gun circles, but if I had a bunch of money to throw at engraving a gun, I'd want to talk to him.

tmlynch · March 27, 2024, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuckinthe60s

therry duguet, va.

His work is awesome.

FITASC · March 27, 2024, 11:27 PM

Fracassi - father and daughter
Torcolli
Perdersoli
Ken Hunt
Creative Arts

And a host of many others

FITASC · March 27, 2024, 11:30 PM

Fracassi engraved this knife for Fabbri - makers of the best shotguns

Here's another:

Ricklin · April 4, 2024, 10:46 AM

If one were to see only the engraving, I would think photograph. Stunning.

Ricklin · August 27, 2024, 09:02 PM

I enjoy the work of the American classic engravers, Pauline Murrele (SP) is simply awesome, I hope I got her name right.
Pauline was among the last of her breed, a Winchester factory engraver. I for one appreciate the work these folks did on a production basis. I love the engraving on th old guns my M12 only has an engraved trigger guard. Pretty sure the engraving on my Super X -1 1976 Ducks unlimited gun is roll engraving, perhaps with a little touch by Pauline or one of her compatriots at Winchester all those years ago. I love the old Winchester factory engraved shotguns and hope to own more over the years. My Super X and my son were made the same year, it will be his one day.
The guns in this thread, gorgeous works of art that I would be nervous about actually shooting on anything other than a range. I'd drag a factory engraved Winnie in to the woods, but not actually drag it.

FITASC · August 29, 2024, 04:51 PM

Considered one of the best, Ken Hunt:

FITASC · August 29, 2024, 04:53 PM

I have always like the Celtic designs as well:

Jim Watson · August 29, 2024, 05:49 PM

Those Fracassi animals are great.
Be very selective if you want an engraved portrait of your dog... or yourself.

I am content with the fine "mechanic's" scroll on an entry level Purdey.

Ricklin · August 30, 2024, 11:13 AM

Somebody scratched up your gun! I tend to wonder if good guns are ever engraved to hide damage? Seems rather unlikely, the gun would require refinish prior. Tough to put metal back. I would hope the restoration ends with the refinish.

Jim Watson · August 30, 2024, 01:43 PM

I don't know about "hide damage" but W.W. Greener wrote about engraving making ordinary handling wear less obvious.

FITASC · August 30, 2024, 10:31 PM

Except for the bulino style - the depth is measured in microns and you can literally rub it off if not handled properly

March 13, 2024, 04:58 PM	#1
Krieghoff K80 Junior Member Join Date: March 11, 2024 Posts: 2	Who Are The World’s Top Shotgun Engravers? Shotguns engraved by world’s top shotgun engravers are highly coveted and those guns bring a financial premium when they are sold, but the top 5 engraver’s shotguns rarely trade - and are often hard to find. When it comes to ranking the world’s best shotgun engravers, from any objective criteria, the top Krieghoff engraver is G. Stoegner (aka G. Stogner). G. Stoegner, with 7 Krieghoff “Guns of the Year,” far more than any other engraver, has graced their guns, with deep detailed engraving, with little in the way of precious metal ‘frills’ - just pure classic deep engraving. What makes the G.Stoegner (aka G. Stogner) even more special and rare is that I understand that Stoegner is no longer working due to old age, so the market for G. Stoegner guns has become increasingly more scarce, collectible and more expensive. My understanding is that #2 on the list is Jana Schilling (who is also about to stop or has already stopped working) and then down the line from there, including 3. Goeser, 4. Reich, 4. Nonn (tie), and 5. Creative Arts. These are the ”names” to own. Who are your favorite Gun Engravers? Please share names and photos?

March 27, 2024, 11:27 PM	#6
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,630	Fracassi - father and daughter Torcolli Perdersoli Ken Hunt Creative Arts And a host of many others __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

March 27, 2024, 11:30 PM	#7
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,630	Fracassi engraved this knife for Fabbri - makers of the best shotguns Here's another: __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

April 4, 2024, 10:46 AM	#8
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,341	If one were to see only the engraving, I would think photograph. Stunning. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

August 27, 2024, 09:02 PM	#9
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,341	The worlds best, they are exactly that. I enjoy the work of the American classic engravers, Pauline Murrele (SP) is simply awesome, I hope I got her name right. Pauline was among the last of her breed, a Winchester factory engraver. I for one appreciate the work these folks did on a production basis. I love the engraving on th old guns my M12 only has an engraved trigger guard. Pretty sure the engraving on my Super X -1 1976 Ducks unlimited gun is roll engraving, perhaps with a little touch by Pauline or one of her compatriots at Winchester all those years ago. I love the old Winchester factory engraved shotguns and hope to own more over the years. My Super X and my son were made the same year, it will be his one day. The guns in this thread, gorgeous works of art that I would be nervous about actually shooting on anything other than a range. I'd drag a factory engraved Winnie in to the woods, but not actually drag it. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

March 13, 2024, 05:00 PM	#2
stuckinthe60s Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2017 Location: Va., Ct., Mo.. Posts: 947	therry duguet, va. __________________ Retired Military Aviation Former Member Navy Shooting Team Distinguished Pistol Shot,NRA Shotgun/Pistol Instructor NSSA All American, Skeet/Trap Range Owner

March 13, 2024, 05:03 PM	#3
Krieghoff K80 Junior Member Join Date: March 11, 2024 Posts: 2	Cool, I just checked out his work online. He is in Charlottesville which is near me. I would love to check it out in person. Thank you!!

March 27, 2024, 05:15 PM	#4
tmlynch Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 197	My daughter is in jeweler school in TN right now. She mentioned how she was looking forward to having a session with Jason Marchiafava (www.jfava.com), because his engraving is amazing. She is correct; it is amazing. His gallery includes shotguns. I don't know if he is "known" in gun circles, but if I had a bunch of money to throw at engraving a gun, I'd want to talk to him.

August 29, 2024, 04:51 PM	#10
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,630	Considered one of the best, Ken Hunt: __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

August 29, 2024, 04:53 PM	#11
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,630	I have always like the Celtic designs as well: __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

August 29, 2024, 05:49 PM	#12
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,134	Those Fracassi animals are great. Be very selective if you want an engraved portrait of your dog... or yourself. I am content with the fine "mechanic's" scroll on an entry level Purdey.

August 30, 2024, 11:13 AM	#13
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,341	Hey Somebody scratched up your gun! I tend to wonder if good guns are ever engraved to hide damage? Seems rather unlikely, the gun would require refinish prior. Tough to put metal back. I would hope the restoration ends with the refinish. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

August 30, 2024, 01:43 PM	#14
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,134	I don't know about "hide damage" but W.W. Greener wrote about engraving making ordinary handling wear less obvious.

August 30, 2024, 10:31 PM	#15
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,630	Except for the bulino style - the depth is measured in microns and you can literally rub it off if not handled properly __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

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