Over the years I have ended up with a few custom rifles with no cartridge designation on the barrel. While no problems have resulted thus far, I'm not getting any younger and I want to mark them correctly. I was considering just a Sharpie, but thought I'd poll the forum geniuses for other methods. I've seen kits with all 26 letter + numbers on punches, but am concerned that would look bad doing it freehand.

Thoughts?

You can use a punch set.

I use a electro etching “marking methods” machine to mark my barrels I do for customers.

Options.

1. punch type marking
2. Engraving
3. Electo Etching (which is really reverse plating or Etching it removes metal)
4. Laser engraving

Laser would probably cost you 40-50 bucks.
Electo Etching is more like 30-40
Engraving 25-35 ?


Here is a video of the system I have / use for my customers.. good old Midway USA Demo’d It..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PF7AZPw8wtU

The system is used by the airline industry, and you can make light marks, to deep etching.
What is really cool about it IMHO is you can have them make up a stencil and have any artwork you want.
With mine I just type what the customer wants on the one use stencil and use it...
I have permanent type stencils made up for the more common cartridges... but if a guy wants a name / date/ or customer marking I use the one time approach.

If you want it to look professional, have a good smith do it. A good smith will have an engraving machine. Here's one a good smith did for me the other day, after he did the re-chamber on my rifle:


If you are just wanting to do it yourself, you could always just buy a letter and number stamp kit. However, like in the midway video Larry says it's difficult to line up the stamps, unless you've done a thousand. But it sure would beat a sharpie. Good luck with it..

I have a New Hermes engraver.

Labounty makes a stamp guide for barrels to help keep them aligned - I have one but don’t use it after upgrading to electo chem etching method.
https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...-stamps/steel-stamp-guide-prod26535.aspx

Many, Many gunsmiths have an outside shop do their marking
I.E. some shop that has a Hermès engraver (what engraving shops use), Electro chem etcher, or a laser engraver.

Google “engraving” / firearm engraving in your local area and you should be able to find one...

Just about all of the stamped ones I have are out of alignment. Get it engraved if you want more than a sharpie. If it is a custom barrel, twist or neck size I have that added too. Not that I would forget but it can add to the value as opposed to an alleged custom barrel or down the line if someone inherits the rifle.

This is why I went the Etching engraver route, I could have gotten a Hermès machine but they don’t do art graphics... Either way it looks much more professional.

Custom rifles, spend a few bucks and have it done right.

I spring for the metallic.

I've seen unobtrusive hand stamped calibers under the forearm so the stock has to be removed to see, and on the bottom of the barrel just in front of the forearm.

Bruce

For the folks who have or do the electro-etching, can you do a specific pattern or lettering on botton metal as well, if desired ?

I have one - you can pretty much do any “uncoated” metal.

The system I use allows you to type or print (impact printer) any pattern you want and it will etch it onto the metal.

So - Yes.

Appreciate the response. Already have a fully formatted MS Word file. Just need to find someone who can import the Word file, print the stencil, and do the etching.

I contacted an ACGG member regarding possibly doing it in real gold inlay... WAY out of my price range... Electro-etched and then filled with gold lettering paint will be sufficient...

ETA: Actually, a Gold Cerakote fill would probably be workable as well.

Stamps/punches can be easily placed correctly by clamping in a vice and marking properly with a pencil.

Check Brownells for their gold inlay "paint"; I forget the exact name but it works really well, and is available in both silver and gold. I found it pretty easy to use and the results look good on polished and blued steel.

The use of stamps is a dark art, I'd recommend avoiding that entirely. Stylized cursive can be acceptable to some customers..I do it with an aluminum welders pencil, show it to the customer for approval, then just do it with an electro-pencil. The easiest of all, if you can get headstamped brass for that chambering is to inlet it into the stock at a spot the customer picks. Similar to old Remington repeaters. I hate to let an unmarked barrel job go out of the shop. Just for the reasons the op stated.

I have a really nice Iver Henriksen rifle. Some Dumass used stamps to mark it 25 Neidner. It looks like cshit. I wish I could get it fixed.

Yep. They spelled Niedner incorrectly.

I had a custom rifle built from scratch, 2 actually. Both of them appeared as if the chambering stenciling was an afterthought. Though done well, I cannot even see it without holding a very bright light to it. Was quite disappointed. Kampfeld agreed to make it as it should be during his off-season. He IS NOT the original builder.

What is it a graphic or something ?

Two Hebrew words that I want rendered in a specific font, followed by the scripture reference.

Dymo label maker here too

Acid etching works great. I’ve personally become very good with letter and number punches. My trademark is also a punch so I’ve gotten good with it too.

I'm not so good with punches as it is hard to keep them lined up but acid etching works great. You can purchase a roll of blue die impression stencil for around $10 and make your stencils with an impact printer or typewriter. Make up some etching solution (vinegar/table salt) and use a battery charger or DC power supply and have at it.

SD

I keep a diamond drag in a New Hermes style pantograph. Couple of different fonts and the machine from flea bay used. Very professional results....