Yes, and many of the big name makers such as Holland &Holland, Rigby, Purdy agreed that the minimal engraving to set off the lines of the gun and retain them as it was handled over the years was best. Nowadays, rifles and shotguns are only palettes for artists, which indeed many of them are. Back in the late 60 and 70's there was a relationship between workmanship and cost. Once the high rollers got in, the trade was spoiled. Regardless, I like engraving, but would not spend my money on it now, especially in this economy.
yes sir, nowadays more often then not the engraved guns are owned by the wealthy whom probably never even shoot them. They use them as pure decoration with overdone engraving that makes putting any wear on the firearm hard, well still keeping the engraving intact
the jeweled hammer on a blackhawk is as close to engraving as I get and it came like that used