AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Contemporary Longrifle Collecting => Topic started by: Sherrell on October 03, 2025, 02:06:07 AM
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I’m curious to hear opinions here:
How much does a very obvious dedication script (e.g., “Built by XXXX for YYYY”) engraving on the top horizontal flat of a contemporary long rifle barrel devalue the rifle for subsequent resale? Assume the YYYY name is a non-celebrity (like me) of no significance in the long rifle community or other historic significance. YYYY is just an average guy who paid the builder to make him a gun.
To dedicate or not to dedicate - that is the question!
Sherrell
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I have a Hacker Martin rifle that he built for his sister and it’s engraved to her on the top of the barrel. It made me want the gun even more
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Yes, I hear you.
The gun has sentimental value to you because of the sibling relationship between the builder and the one to whom it was dedicated.
I view that as a special case almost like a celebrity dedication.
I’m talking about a dedication to someone not related to the gunmaker - someone completely unknown – just an average guy off the street.
Sherrell
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If its a well-made rifle and the builder XXXX is known and regarded, the dedication to the owner generally doesn't bother me and doesn't affect how much I would value the rifle. I have a couple guns in my collection that have a prior owner's name on them. I hope that person would have been happy to know I enjoy the gun as much as they did. I actually think its a shame when these things leave the family, and hopefully you will have a relative that will remember that one as your gun.
Over the top excessive writing and carving, or a faux statement that proclaims the gun to be something it's obviously not (like Davey Crocket's gun) I don't particularly care for.
Unknown builder, a gun with sort of average quality or components, the dedication would be a detractor.
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I’m curious to hear opinions here:
How much does a very obvious dedication script (e.g., “Built by XXXX for YYYY”) engraving on the top horizontal flat of a contemporary long rifle barrel devalue the rifle for subsequent resale? Assume the YYYY name is a non-celebrity (like me) of no significance in the long rifle community or other historic significance. YYYY is just an average guy who paid the builder to make him a gun.
To dedicate or not to dedicate - that is the question!
Sherrell
Why not have it put on, after all you might have family that would want it when you have gone on to the "Happy Hunting Ground!" Personal use family guns still mean a lot to some folk.
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I have a couple & wish they said Nothing but the builders name.
Lots of times you dedicate one, nobody wants it. Better to leave
it off, IMHO
Keith
I agree, if I run into one of these for sale I usually won't pay much more than the price of the parts. It interferes with the "time travel" effect that I and many others like to experience.
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I really get you, Redheart, on the “time travel” aura thing.
It’s kinda like the scene in the movie, "Somewhere In Time" when Christopher Reeve accidentally pulls a modern coin out of his pocket…
Sherrell
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Several years ago I was lucky enough to have Jim Kibler create a SMR for me knowing it was going to be my families heirloom rifle. His name is on the barrel flat and our last name is on the lid of the patch box. This rifle will never leave our family so the engraving means a lot to me.
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This rifle will never leave our family so the engraving means a lot to me.
What a special piece! Do you have some photos to share?
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I recently purchased a Bedford rifle that was inscribed to the father and son. The quality of the build of the rifle is superb!
The workmanship on the rifle should be the deciding factor, unless it was inscribed to a prominent person or family.
A quality built Muzzle Loader is to be enjoyed in looking at, handling, and shooting, not by discussing a name, that could or not add something.
Carney
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I’m curious Carney, what do you mean when you say, “inscribed to the father and son”? “The” father and son? Do you mean it has a script on the barrel dedicating it to two people? Is the maker’s name on the barrel as well? Do you know “the father and son”?
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It is inscribed to father and son. Also shooting bag with same dedication.
NO-as far as my opinion counts it does not hurt the value of a QUALITY flintlock!
Maker is H J Wood.
Carney
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You're commissioning a gun so have it done the way you want. Your family will not be able to sell it for what you're paying, regardless of having your name or initials put on it. It's gonna be a used gun and, unless the builder.is extra special, it's just like buying a new car...as soon as you drive it off the lot it's now a used car and loses value right away. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and however you want the gun.
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I have had 4 custom rifles built by Don King with my name on them and sold them at about 4 times what I paid. Also rifles built by Don LaMott that sold for a lot more than they cost.
English, French, and most European firearms by a quality maker bring more than they cost even with names on them.
Carney
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I would buy it if it was a high quality piece and price it as such. Just use the "Hatchet Jack" analogy. I think people miss golden opportunities over such trivial things.
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Well, it establishes provenance!
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The quality of components and workmanship to me means all.It can be engraved "From Kadidlehopper to Dinglehoofer on the barrel and I want to see targets shot with it at distances beyond 25 yards.
Bob Roller
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People into muzzleloading, with the exception of a few whales (deep pockets, not big people) are notoriously frugal. You can not devalue something you are practically giving away in the first place. Anyone who is dissuaded by a little engraving, assuming it's good engraving, was never going to buy the gun in the first place at any price so don't waste your time with them.
I'm pretty sure the price of a gun is determined by beer math anyways. Take even the cost of a higher end builder, north of 5k, if you were to pay a plumber for the same amount time as it took to build that gun, you would be paying that plumber millions of dollars, you would never stop paying that plumber, it would just turn into the thing that you are known for doing.
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People into muzzleloading, with the exception of a few whales (deep pockets, not big people) are notoriously frugal. You can not devalue something you are practically giving away in the first place. Anyone who is dissuaded by a little engraving, assuming it's good engraving, was never going to buy the gun in the first place at any price so don't waste your time with them.
I'm pretty sure the price of a gun is determined by beer math anyways. Take even the cost of a higher end builder, north of 5k, if you were to pay a plumber for the same amount time as it took to build that gun, you would be paying that plumber millions of dollars, you would never stop paying that plumber, it would just turn into the thing that you are known for doing.
Well said.
I think building a longrifle with investment in mind is kind of like buying an engagement ring with investment in mind. You are a whole lot better off buying it for love.