![That Fancy Rifle](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/7146/516006/5f71b75d4983e/That-Fancy-Rifle.jpg)
Ernest Hemingway once advised that, when you are stuck for an opening line, simply write the truest sentence you know at the time. So here goes: Engraving on rifles serves many purposes, most of them good, but it can also be a trap – and a very expensive trap at that.
More than any other feature on a rifle, with the occasional exception of extravagant walnut, engraving can make even the finest rifle decadent. By that, I mean decadent in one of the original definitions of the word: an object which becomes so ornate as to be unusable for its original purpose.
Ironically, many of the finest rifles found in the world’s great museums today exist solely because they were so ornate. As a result, they were never actually used and subjected to the rough treatment of hunting and the corrosion of powder and priming.
If one were intent on beginning the story with the origins of engraving on guns, the trail would lead all the way back to prehistoric cave drawings of game animals, which led to the ornamentation of spears and bows, and laser swords and daggers, and finally firearms. The engraving itself is intertwined with the creation of totems for individuals and tribes and has a long history related to a fine art. Engraving, however, no matter how good, is a craft, not fine art, and should be treated as such.
This is getting slightly away from the original intent, which was to look at different types and purposes of engraving found on rifles, so let’s go back to that and see exactly what purposes appropriate engraving actually serves.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November - December 2020-Ausgabe von Rifle.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November - December 2020-Ausgabe von Rifle.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
![CIMARRON .32-20 Short Rifle & Carbine](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943763/wzF6E6vY91658311836193/CIMARRON-3220-SHORT-RIFLE-CARBINE.jpg)
CIMARRON .32-20 Short Rifle & Carbine
In the heyday of Winchester Repeating Arms Company lever guns, it offered muskets, standard rifles, short rifles and saddle ring carbines.
![Remington's Model 722 and .222 Cartridge](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/nNlnbDeTj1653640265074/crp_Remingtons-Model-722-and-222-Cartridge.jpg)
Remington's Model 722 and .222 Cartridge
It's easy enough to define what a varmint is, those pesky critters that tear up pastures, flower beds and all kinds of expensive crops people need for various reasons - most importantly, to make a living and/or something with which to feed themselves.
![Coyote Bullets](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/8otznQPhN1653643304791/crp_Coyote-Bullets.jpg)
Coyote Bullets
What is Best for You?
![Remington's 5mm Rimfire Magnum](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/z-uHNxDnL1653642373306/crp_Remingtons-5mm-Rimfire-Magnum.jpg)
Remington's 5mm Rimfire Magnum
Shooting a Classic
![Winchester's New Wildcat](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/iqRZlKoaP1653647217487/crp_Winchesters-New-Wildcat.jpg)
Winchester's New Wildcat
The Ultralight Rimfire Varmint Rifle
![.223 Remington from .30-30 Winchester?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/9xILyCHga1653646675529/crp_223-Remington-from-30-30-Winchester.jpg)
.223 Remington from .30-30 Winchester?
Multitasking for Varmints
![LOADS FOR A .22 TCM](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/AQgsDUFyg1653644848775/crp_LOADS-FOR-A-22-TCM.jpg)
LOADS FOR A .22 TCM
The .22 TCM first appeared commercially in 2012, chambered in a Rock Island Armory 1911-style handgun.
![Everybody Loves Velocity](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/BL7HZ8zio1653645599272/crp_Everybody-Loves-Velocity.jpg)
Everybody Loves Velocity
The 4,500-fps WSSM Project
![A BOLT-ACTION FRANCHI 224 VALKYRIE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/o_3wtrkRH1653641507832/crp_A-BOLT-ACTION-FRANCHI-224-VALKYRIE.jpg)
A BOLT-ACTION FRANCHI 224 VALKYRIE
Testing New Loads
![.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/7146/943760/1P77w5p_L1653647884573/crp_22-Winchester-Magnum-Rimfire.jpg)
.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire
Shooting Revolvers