Don,
I spent some time with a nationally known benchrest rifle gunsmith when I was younger. As you know, back then, the caliber designation on the breech of said barrel was hand stamped. Also as you know I am sure, there is stamping and then there is good stamping. The ole boy that ran that shop was kinda particular, hence the extra effort to do things correctly and also pass on the knowledge for another generation.
Most think all you need to do is to hammer the stamp, but far from it really for the results that one can be proud of. All hand labor takes touch, developed in time; lots of failures involved usually, but one has to keep the faith in many things.
As you insinuated by the happy face, technique and skill can be used for good or for other purposes. All I posted was "a" technique for such an operation.
All in all, there is absolutely nothing that cannot be replicated today, either by hand or by supporting environments. One other thing to note in the gun business is never to say never. I got caught on that when I viewed a rimfire Colt python and a 45acp automag; both with provenance.
Rick
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