Does laser engraving take it off the roster?

[Davidwhitewolf]

Lew Horton has this otherwise plain-Jane S&W 442 revolver on whose sideplate Horton (NOT the manufacturer S&W) laser-engraved a logo.



So can I buy one? It's just a rostered 442, right? That is, I'm thinking the engraving by a third party does not make the gun a new model requiring roster nonsense.
This gun's attractiveness to me should be fairly obvious (upon seeing my gunblogger business card at SHOT 2010, the Horton rep grinned maniacally and said "have I got something for you!").

[raycm2]

IANAL but it shouldn't be a problem - any more than if it was refinished. Any legal types disagree?

[rimfire78]

No different than paint is it?

[Librarian]

Ought to be OK -

12131.5. (a) A firearm shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of
subdivision (a) of Section 12131 if another firearm made by the same
manufacturer is already listed and the unlisted firearm differs from
the listed firearm only in one or more of the following features:
(1) Finish, including, but not limited to, bluing, chrome-plating,
oiling, or engraving.

This is not even a different model number/designation. If it were, it should be able to skip testing and be added.

[mzimmers]

If I remember correctly, it was a different SKU. It will probably depend on your FFL.

[Davidwhitewolf]

Many thanks! I will see what my FFL says.