The Guns, Scrollwork and Country Stories of Weldon Lister

In this episode of the No Lowballers Podcast, hosts Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker.com sit down with Weldon Lister, a second-generation master engraver whose scrollwork has adorned firearms for collectors, lawmen and legends alike including icons from the world of country music. The son of acclaimed engraver “Big Bill” Lister, Weldon grew up surrounded by steel, hand tools and heritage. But his story goes beyond the bench. From engraving pistols for the famed Texas Rangers to his father’s legendary country music friends, Weldon’s journey blends the precision of Old World craftsmanship with the grit and stories of the American South. This conversation dives deep into the art of hand engraving—why it matters, how it’s done and what separates the masters from the imitators. Along the way, Weldon shares how scrollwork becomes personal storytelling, why engraving is never just decoration and how he’s spent a lifetime honoring the line between functional firearm and family heirloom. Key Topics Discussed: Growing Up Lister: What it was like learning from his father, whose engraving tools and legacy set Weldon on a path few follow and how he carved out his own name in steel. Honky-Tonks and Hammer Strokes: Weldon reflects on his interactions with the legends of country music, the stories behind engraved guns for country music legends and why craftsmanship and country lyrics have more in common than you'd think. The Difference Between a Machine and a Man: Weldon explains what hand engraving truly is, how to tell it apart from machine-rolled patterns and why collectors can always spot the soul in a cut line. A Story Etched in Steel: Whether it’s a gift to a sheriff or a tribute to a fallen friend, Weldon walks us through how guns become canvases for personal legacy and deep emotional connection. Scroll Theory and Layout: From flowing ribbon scrolls to tight English scrollwork, Weldon dives into how engraving isn’t just technique—it’s balance, line weight and visual rhythm. The Family’s Role in Music History: Slightly off-topic, but the Lister family had a huge role in uncovering a piece of country music history involving the great Hank Williams Sr. Guest: Weldon Lister – Master Firearms Engraver, Musician and Keeper of Stories American Scroll Bonus Segment: Weldon shares a few behind-the-scenes tales from Texas dance halls, custom pieces made for outlaw legends and the emotional work of honoring a client's family history with steel and script. 👉 Here’s the important part: If you're already subscribed to our audio feeds, you’ll need to re-subscribe using the new links below to keep getting episodes. Spotify: Apple: Amazon: iHeart: Castbox: Rumble: No Lowballers home page: Nothing else is changing. You’ll still get the same unfiltered stories, sharp insights, and hot takes—but with a bigger platform to back it up. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for behind-the-scenes content, episode drops, and more. New episodes every Thursday.