diff -Nurd original/src/engrave.c new/src/engrave.c
--- original/src/engrave.c	2003-12-08 00:39:13.000000000 +0100
+++ new/src/engrave.c	2008-09-16 20:27:47.000000000 +0200
@@ -755,8 +755,13 @@
 		} else /* end if zappable */
 		    if (!can_reach_floor()) {
 			You_cant("reach the %s!", surface(u.ux,u.uy));
-			return(0);
-		    }
+			/* If it's a wrestable wand, the player wasted a */
+			/* turn trying.					 */
+			if (wrestable(otmp))
+			    return(1);
+			else
+			    return(0);
+		}
 		break;
 
 	    case WEAPON_CLASS:
diff -Nurd original/src/zap.c new/src/zap.c
--- original/src/zap.c	2003-12-08 00:39:13.000000000 +0100
+++ new/src/zap.c	2008-09-16 20:33:28.000000000 +0200
@@ -1744,6 +1744,18 @@
 #ifdef OVL1
 
 /*
+ * wrestable - returns 1 if a wand can only be zapped
+ *             by wresting it.
+ * added by bcd@pvv.org 16/9/08
+ */
+int
+wrestable(wand)
+register struct obj *wand;
+{
+    return (wand->spe == 0);
+}
+
+/*
  * zappable - returns 1 if zap is available, 0 otherwise.
  *	      it removes a charge from the wand if zappable.
  * added by GAN 11/03/86