Antique engraving question

[JKM1942]

I have a Merwin-Hulbert pocket revolver that has the following inscription engraved on the its curved backstrap: "To J. J. Hill Scenic 1893 From SPD". The engraving is in cursive style. I believe this was engraved using a machine because repeated letters are identical and the engraving is the same width and depth over its entirety. The engraving font size is very close to the above quote.

My question is: Did the technology exist in 1893 to machine engrave cursive text over a curved cast steel surface ?

FYI James J. Hill founded the Great Northern Railroad. Scenic Washington was the site of driving of the last spike in 1893, thus completing the trans-continental railroad.

Thanks - John

[JJ Roberts]

John,Can you put up pictures of the gun? it would help. J.J.

[JKM1942]

Thanks for responding. I don't know if my camera can focus close enough to do this, but I'll try.

John

[chujybear]

Originally Posted by JKM1942

Thanks for responding. I don't know if my camera can focus close enough to do this, but I'll try.

John

Put it on the macro setting will focus close enough for sure (if it's a point and shoot). Set for two second timer. Use tripod if you've got it. But should work handheld w any camera out of tge last ten tears or so.

[JKM1942]

I hope these pictures are usable; they're at the limit of my camera's close-up capability.

[JKM1942]

I really need some help with this.

Thanks - John

[Steve Lindsay]

John, It looks like diamond drag done with a pantograph or maybe spinning D bit in the same type of pantograph. Yes, it will go over a slight curved surface and were around back then. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantograph

[JKM1942]

Steve - Thanks for the help. Your input is a big step forward in determining that the piece could be a legitimate presentation item.

John

[KMPaulson]

A quick search yielded this: http://americanhistory.si.edu/collec...ct/nmah_998164
Apparently patented in 1870, so it's possible that they worked out something that would do the sort of engraving you have there. It surprised me that the technology existed. Never mind making the machine pretty.

[Joe PAonessa]

Funny you should bring up the Spencer Engraving Machine. I was recently given one to see if I can make it work. It has some missing pieces, but it doesn't look like it should be too difficult to bring back to life.

[Bill DeShivs]

While pantograph engravers were around back then, they were VERY rare. Hand engravers were very common and would have been much more likely to have been used to engrave a presentation firearm. The font appears to be a standard New Hermes pantograph font. New Hermes machines were not around back then.