Quantity, or Quality?

[TriumphGT6]

On a whim I phoned the factory and asked for their Custom Shop's price sheet. I'd never have guessed how many services they offer! But the most intriguing section was the one on engraving. Interestingly, there are 12 options available, with prices ranging from $1700 to almost $7000. There are four grades of coverage, grade A (=25%) up to grade D (=100%), and within each grade you can choose from "standard," "expert," and "master" craftsmen.

So, 25% coverage done at "standard" level (what, by an apprentice?) costs the least, while 100% coverage done by a master will set you back 7 big ones. But there's no indication of what "standard" "expert" or "master" work looks like. Both expert and master-level work is signed, however.

So, given that the price is almost the same, would you choose 100% coverage by an expert, or 50% coverage by a master? Quantity or quality?

Oh, does anyone have any pics they'd be willing to share? I'll start: http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/custom.asp

[Married2NAVCOP]

Depends on how much bling you like and wheather it is going to be a safe queen or not. I personally would go with the A-25%. It's nice and tasteful w/o being gauty and I wouldn't be afraid to shoot it. Kind of like pin-stripping on a car.

[RandyColt]

I like tastefully done engraved guns and have been thinking about having a Colt 1911 repro engraved in a retro style and absolutely no more than 50% coverage if even that much. I personally know 2 master engravers and I have talked to one of them about this 1911 project and was qouted around $2000 for a 50% coverage job for his work, plus the cost of a refinish job that will be sent out. I will talk to the other one this June when I see him in Wyoming and get his thoughts and price, I expect him to be a little higher as he is more artistic, but I am not at all sure artistic is what I am after. $7000 seems quite high for even a 100% coverage job to me, but I guess that the engraver and Colt's Custom Shop will be making $ on it so maybe it isn't out of line. I personally would not have Colt's Custom Shop do it, only because you lose a lot of individuality with them, they have their patterns and stick to them with some minor changes of course depending on who does the actual work. I want something very unique while staying with the retro theme. I am having a real hard time making the final decision on what to have done and may just give the engraver some basic guide lines and trust his judgement.