Gunsmithing apprenticeships?

[u.k.neil]

Being a Toolroom apprentice is a good grounding for getting into gunsmithing. Learn all the basic skills.

The only differrence really is that a toolfitter works on tools, a gunsmith works on guns. the principles are the same and guns are not as complicated as tools.

Neil

[Big Mafoota]

Yeah light engineering is about as close to gunsmithing as you'll find ( knowledge and skill wise that is)

My mate's brother is a gunmaker for Holand and Holland and he got into it via the engineering route not the gunsmithing route. Aknowledge of cnc and CAD is also vital nowadays.

[tomgriffin]

Cheers for your replies

So any idea where i should start then.......

Should i ask any local engineering companies......there is a gunmakers close (ish) by (Jason Abbot (Gunmakers) Ltd) in thame so im going to write a nice letter (call him after a week if no reply) to him and ask if he would allow me to train with his company as an apprentice (might work you never know )

If anyone nows of an engineer or engineering company "down south" who would like or may be willing to train me.......then please let me know

cheers.....tom griffin

[MattLin]

Find a local college that does engineering apprenticeships, then look around for companies to sponsor you..
You'll more than likely have to spend a year in college.

Its probably unlikely that a firm will just take you on, especially for anything engineering based - Its not like being a plasterer..

[tomgriffin]

Find a local college that does engineering apprenticeships, then look around for companies to sponsor you..
You'll probably have to spend a year in college.

Its probably unlikely that a firm will just take you on, especially for anything engineering based - Its not like being a plasterer..

I know that a few colleges are doing engineering apprenticeships.....

I think the courses around here work so that your working with the company for 4 days out of the week and the extra day your at college

I know that it is highly unlikely a firm will take me on without a college placement, which is why i am also applying for college courses aswell (i wouldnt expect a firm to take me on without a placement)

[MattLin]

Most courses apparently mean spending 1 year in college, then the next year on day release were you only goto college 1 day a week, and then the final year full time. And that after that you'll be with your sponsor company for a set amount of time on contract.

Also on a few engineering things you cant go on site untill 18, so you may have to spend 2 years in college if applying when just leaving secondary school.

[hareng]

As some have said above at best it would be a few years before you were allowed to work on a gun subject to being competent as well.
Theres a few decent gunsmiths and gunmakers around the Hertfordshire region. Atkin Grant & Lang may be worth a try, i know at least some parts are/will be hand made, they are making guns again. Jason is quite good but dont push him it will backfire. I reckon almost on a weekly basis these types of places are bombarded with such a request and subsequently go straight in the bin. Quite frankly most places are now so small they cannot afford to take anyone on. Add to this the lost time in training someone up based over many years and the amount of lost production probably 60% in first year, you get the picture.
There is a severe shortage of semi skilled and skilled labour up Scotland, three years ago i could have got you something in Glasgow with a highly regarded thriving manufacturer but had to resort to other means.
H&H only employ engineers, the skilled employees were all sacked over 15 years ago like 98% of the rest of the trade, who either set up on their own, retired, emigrated or died. Purdey still have barrel makers.
Wish i could get out of it.