STEEL

Steel engraving is a hugely specialised skill, and although it also extends to items such as knives, swords, and tools, the reputation of its practitioners frequently rests in the area of decorating sporting guns with illustrative scenes and/or scroll-work. Engraving on steel requires a rather different approach to that of precious metals, steel being a much harder metal than gold or silver. Whereas the softness of precious metals allows them to be carved deeply in areas that require relief, in steel engraving relief can be brought out by chemically colouring the background. Often, further detail is incorporated using inlays of precious coloured metals such as rose and green gold. The value and significance of a high quality sporting arm can be greatly increased with the application of hand engraving from a sought after gun engraver.