An awards program has developed over the years, and is one of many highlights of the annual exhibition. The "Engravers Choice Award," open to exhibiting members, carries a special significance. Member engravers in attendance judge the entries – a "jury by peers."

Other awards and educational scholarships are sponsored by industry manufacturers as part of the exhibition.

Since their inception, the awards program has encouraged engravers, and inspired levels of excellence in the art of firearms engraving barely imagined three decades ago.

2007 FEGA Awards
by Lee Griffiths, FEGA Vice President
Ladies and gentlemen what a weekend we had. If you missed it you really missed it. It was a dazzling display of wonderfully embellished firearms. I’m glad I wasn’t a judge. I think we should double or triple their pay. Let’s see 2x0=.......3x0=......Volunteers make this thing go and all who helped deserve a huge pat on the back. Thanks guys and gals. And for you who unfortunately missed it I’ll give a recap of the winners.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE BEST TABLE AWARD - RON P. NOTT
We always accuse the winner of this award of public bribery but if you saw the fabulous display of engraved pistols and knives you would realize no bribery was needed. Ron, well done and well deserved.
WILLIAMS GUNSIGHT BEST ENGRAVED RIFLE -co-winners- ROBERT SWARTLEY and DENIS REECE.
Robert engraved an old winchester
in his unmistakeable banknote style. It was a one of
a kind in the show (except for his other gun). I know
of no one who is better at that style. The game scenes
have a wonderful feeling and atmosphere to them.
Denis engraved a bolt action that had his distinctive
clean style. A wonderfully depicted animal on the
floorplate as you would expect from him with delicate
and tasteful gold touches. Congratulations gentlemen.
You rose to the top amidst stiff competition.
SMITH & WESSON BEST ENGRAVED HANDGUN -JERRY HUDDLESTON
Jerry engraved
and I suspect built a remarkable muzzle loader. (I’m
not very knowledgable about some of these stunning
pieces. So if I get a bunch wrong just smile and go
with it). It had great engraving and precious metal
inlay in metal and stock with carving galore. A very
unique piece. Way to go Jerry.
CONNECTICUT SHOTGUN MANUFACTURING BEST ENGRAVED SHOTGUN - LEE GRIFFITHS
Yes I bribed the
judges and I am very honored to have been chosen
because of the high level of workmanship on all of
the shotguns entered. I artistically defaced an L.C.
Smith. My congratulations to the other entrants for
the temendous engraving they executed on their guns.
Well done my friends.
GRS METAL ON METAL INAY OR OVERLAY - JOE RUNDELL
This guy is doing some of the neatest
overlays and inlays out there. Wonderfully sculpted
faces and figures on grip caps and the sides of guns. You
just have to treat yourself to an oogling. Wonderful grip
cap Joe. I intended to kidnap some of your time to find
out more about the grip cap but.............Congratulations.
GRS AWARD FOR ARTISTIC MERIT - C.J. CAI
C.J. engraved an outstanding piece of jewelry. As the
award name suggests it was the design and creativeness
that won C.J. this award. Leave it up to a guy who lives
off the mainland to think out of the mainstream. Maybe
there’s a connection. Oustanding work C. J.
Engravers Choice, AWARD OF MERIT - JOE RUNDELL
We’re back to a guy who does wonderful carving, sculpting, and
engraving. It was a shotgun we all wish we owned. A
very deserving piece Joe. Well done.
Engravers Choice, AWARD OF MERIT - ROBERT SWARTLEY
It’s hard to describe how elegant this old Winchester was.
You needed to be there to truly appreciate this one and
all of the other winners. Great work Bob.
ENGRAVERS CHOICE - LEE GRIFFITHS
Did we mention bribery earlier? It was the shotgun again.