The 1970s Trend of Engraving Valuables: A Blast from the Past
In the 1970s, a curious trend swept through households across America and beyond: engraving personal valuables with identifying information such as names, social security numbers, or driver’s license numbers. This practice, now seen as unsightly and destructive, was a common and recommended method for safeguarding one’s prized possessions, including cameras, against theft and loss.
Why Engrave Valuables?
The 1970s were a time when personal security was becoming a growing concern. Home burglaries were a significant worry, and the concept of identity theft, though not as rampant as today, was beginning to enter public awareness. Law enforcement agencies and insurance companies often recommended engraving valuables to deter theft and to aid in the recovery of stolen items.
Engraving served a dual purpose:
- Deterrence: Thieves were less likely to steal items that were marked with identifying information, as this made it harder to resell the stolen goods.
- Identification: In the event that an item was stolen, the engraved information made it easier for law enforcement to return recovered items to their rightful owners.
Popular Items for Engraving
While cameras were a popular item to engrave, many other valuable possessions were marked in this way. These included:
- Electronics (radios, TVs, and early home computers)
- Jewelry
- Musical instruments
- Tools and equipment
The engravings were often placed in conspicuous locations to be visible and serve as a deterrent, but sometimes they were hidden to help with recovery without affecting the aesthetic appeal of the item.
The Process
Engraving was typically done with a small electric engraving pen or tool. These tools became widely available and affordable during the 1970s, making the process accessible to the average consumer. Some communities or police departments even offered free engraving services or loaned out engraving tools to residents.
Cameras
For photographers, cameras were not just tools of the trade but also significant investments. Engraving a camera with identifying information was a way to protect that investment.
However, from today’s perspective, these engravings can be seen as quite the opposite, reducing the value of the item. Frankly speaking, these crude engravings are quite unsightly! Collectors of vintage cameras often encounter these marks, and until cosmetic restoration become possible with modern restoration techniques the only option was to live with the marring.
If you’ve come across one of these engraved cameras, we can often solve the issue!
Here is one example of engraving removal, on a Leica Meter MC. The engraving was quite close to the “Metrawatt” factory engraving, which made this one a little challenging!
Original Leica Meter as it arrived at our shop:
Below, after disassembling the meter, the chrome and nickel were stripped, revealing the original brass of the meter housing.
The next step: remove the engraving with minimal impact to the factory engraved text:
And lastly, the finished item after paint: