A vintage revolver with engraved metal and a red wooden handle, resting on a wooden surface, with a small carved wooden elephant in the background.
A detailed silver revolver with ornate engravings and black and white grip on a wooden surface.
A decorative silver revolver with a wooden grip, lying on a wooden surface, with a matching decorative silver cylinder to the left, against a dark wooden background.
A vintage shotgun with engraved metal and wooden stock resting on a wooden surface, in front of a bronze horse sculpture mounted on a wooden wall.
A vintage engraved pistol with a black grip and a star emblem on the handle, resting on a wooden surface.
Close-up of a vintage rifle with ornate engraving on the metal part, resting on a wooden surface with a colorful woven fabric in the background.

About Sean Starr

For over 35 years, artist and engraver Sean Starr has built his studio into a world-renowned business, featured in numerous magazine articles, including Robb Report, Dallas Observer, and Fort Worth Magazine. He has created custom projects for clients such as Sony Music, The Gap, Starbucks, Indian Motorcycle, Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham, and the bands The Cranberries and The Toadies. Sean's design and original hand-painted work have been showcased in two feature-length, award-winning documentaries.

In 2020, Sean shifted his focus to traditional hand-gun engraving after studying under several of Texas's top gun engravers. Blending influences from Traditional Western and Native American designs with subtle elements of Art Nouveau and his background in sign painting and gilded glass, he has developed a unique, bold style, creating one-of-a-kind, never-repeated designs on each gun he engraves.

An avid reader of history and craftsmanship, Sean grew up in South Texas, immersed in Texas gun culture, Texas history, and countless John Wayne movies watched with his grandfather. These influences have shaped his distinctive style, which combines the Old West with Old World aesthetics.

A man with a beard and earring uses a microscope to examine a small metallic component at a workbench in a workshop.

  • "WOW!! Is an understatement of this man’s talents. I recently had my gun engraved by Sean and it is amazing. I have already purchased another gun and I’m getting in line for another masterpiece."

    James L.

FAQs

What is your process?

From start to finish, the entire project is done 100% by hand. I draw my designs out with pencil and paper and the engraving work is done using a Lindsay Engraving chisel. No computers, templates, lasers or engraving machines.

On most of my projects I apply a permanent patina finish to create a subtle aged effect that gives the piece an authentic look and feel of a gun that isn’t fresh out of the manufacturer’s box.

What does it cost to engrave a gun & how does payment work?

Pricing of my work is provided upon request and is based on the material being engraved, the style, amount of coverage, complexity of design etc. Once we have discussed your engraving project I will send you a written proposal outlining in detail the work to be performed and the cost.

I require a 50% deposit (non-refundable) and the balance is due upon completion. The deposit gets you in line on my wait list, and during this time I work on your design. I will email you photos of your finished piece before you send the final payment. Payments can be processed by credit card, bank transfer or crypto. Bank transfers are preferred.

Can you copy the engraving on a gun I like?

Every gun I do is an original, one off design. I spend some time talking with each client to understand their relationship to the gun and create something original based on that conversation. Each engraver has his own distinct style, so no, I will not copy another engravers work or adapt my design to match another gun.

How long does it take to have my gun engraved?

Completion times may vary depending on time of year and my work load. Typically one to two months for a gun. I will generally work in small jobs here and there.

Can I ship you my firearm?

I am an FFL holder, so I can receive your gun via FedEx or UPS, please contact me for specific instructions and shipping address. Please ship your gun Insured and ask for a Return Receipt so I have to sign for it when delivered. Clients are responsible for all insurance and shipping costs.

Do you offer wholesale orders?

We provide wholesale orders of Sean's engraved work on genuine Higonokami knives, Zippo lighters and other handmade items from our studio to fine retailers across the United States.