Artist Bio | Gallery of Guns | Show Schedule | Pricing | Demonstration | Scrimshaw | Knives | Engraving Classes | Gunsmithing | Links | Contact


Your source for quality custom engraving for all firearms, knives and scrimshaw.

Specializing in historic recreations of classic engraving styles.

Welcome to the home page and photo album of Jim Downing - The Gun Engraver.

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I was honored this year to receive from "True West" Magazine
 "Best of the West Award"  BEST FIREARM ENGRAVER

Jim Downing
Jim Downing, the man in Springfield, Missouri, with the big black mustache, loves pre-1900 firearms ... and practically everything about the Old West. That’s why you’re likely to find him (in period dress) at the major cowboy action shoots of SASS and NCOWS. His engraving is done in the styles of his heroes, the 19th-century artisans Cuno Helfricht, the Ulrich family or L.D. Nimschke. One look at his exquisite work on a frontier-era replica, and you’d swear that it was done by one of those masters. His engraved guns not only gain the look of Victorian presentation pieces, they also soar in value and collectibility!

READER’S CHOICE: Jim Downing • Springfield, MO •
true west

Come visit me if  I'm in your part of the country/world! See my SHOWS page for locations.
 

Jim Downing, The Gun Engraver

"It's not a real mustache unless 
you can see it from behind!"

Artist Bio
Gallery of Guns
Show Schedule
Pricing
Demonstration
Scrimshaw
Knives
Engraving Classes
Gunsmithing
Links
Contact Info
 
 
 
 

    Thank you for visiting!! I hope this site will help make you familiar with my work and me (as much as that is possible to do in this electronic medium).  I find that the web and e-mail are fine for initial contacts, but by the time you have decided to have me engrave for you, personal contact is a must, either by phone or face to face at one of the many shows I do. 

   I have been engraving, full time, since 1979, beginning with Scrimshaw (The Art of Engraving on Ivory).  I learned to make silver and gold jewelry so as to mount my scrimshaw and soon began hand engraving jewelry.  I progressed into knife engraving (which is still a large part of the work I do), perfecting my engraving skills until the time I cut my first gun in 1988. Since then I have engraved an average of 50 guns and dozens of custom knives a year.
   I have included in my Gallery of Guns photos of Revolvers, Semi Auto Pistols, Bolt Action Rifles and Floor Plates, Shotguns, and several pages of photos of Lever Action Rifles and Single Action Revolvers used in Old West Shooting which has become, in the last few years, very popular and a focus of much of my work and style. My work reflects the great engravers of the mid to late 1800's, such as L.D. Nimschke, and is now an exceptional style for the guns of the cowboy shooter. Most people find my prices very reasonable with the average gun I cut at only $500-$900. Pricing depends not on the material I cut, whether stainless steel, brass, blue steel, etc., but on the amount of detail, background, and coverage. In addition to my engraving I offer some refinishing, bluing, and gunsmithing services.
   For many years now I have done shows and shoots though out the country and world, working at each show, demonstrating and explaining the art of engraving, which most folks have never seen done. This has lead to a formal class I give at my shop in Springfield, Missouri.
    Through demonstrating, personal contact and prompt, affordable service, I have built many rewarding relationships with promoters, dealers, and shooting enthusiasts throughout the country and the world. I look forward to a similar relationship with you. 
   Please take the time to browse all of the pages and photos I have put together and feel free to give me a call with your questions. I look forward to hearing from you.  Please keep in mind that I travel often to shoots around the country and will return your call or e-mail as soon as I can. For further information please call me at 417-865-5953 or email me at handlebar@thegunengraver.com You may also write me at...Jim Downing * P.O. Box 4224 * Springfield, Mo 65808


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My forte is scroll in the style of the 1880s on "Guns of the Old West".  Single Action Six Shooters and lever Action Rifles keep me busy and are what I do best. Being almost a year behind, in an effort to keep up, these are the guns I am taking orders on at this time.

Click the Mustache to Return to the Homepage

Click the mustache in my web pages to return to my home page.
E-Mail Jim at handlebar@thegunengraver.com

Visit my GUN GALLERY to view over a hundred photos of guns I have engraved over the years.



Last Updated Feb , 2013