Gunsmithing apprenticeships?

[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.

[Ray J]

Have you thought about the RAOC well that was its name years ago.

Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

Ray

[Garvin]

You could write to John Whiscombe and offer to continue production when he finally retires.

Seriously I also think good qualifications in engineering is the way to start. Good luck to you.

[tomgriffin]

cheers for yur help guys

As my chances are very slim at getting a job for a gunsmiths (without workshop experience), what sort of engineer would be my best place to start to build up my skills so eventually i could train to become an apprentice (in gunsmithing)?.......

Some one mentioned tool making, is that making tungsten carbide tooling for various metal working machines?

cheers.....tom griffin

[Thegreg]

No, not exactly! the phrase 'toolmaker' can be misleading, as it doesnt mean 'tools' as you think of them. a toolmaker will make and specialise in either press tools, form tools, plastic molding tools (extrusion ect), and the branch that im involved in - jigs and fixtures, the best one in my opinion for the wider variety of work - always something different and challenging!

as for your apprenticeship i dont know how it works down there but i applied to a training school, they gave all your details out to local companies, who if think you look good, ask you for an interview. if you get the job you spend the first year at training, 1 day at college. the other 3 years are spent at your company hope this helps,

Greg

[tomgriffin]

Cheers mate, i will research local companies and get a few letters ready

Are there any other types of engineering that would give me a good footing to become a gunsmith?

[Thegreg]

mechanical engineering toolmaking is just a specialised and highly precision sector of mechanical engineering - machining, fitting etc. you want to get a job as a machinist - manual that is, you dont want to end up a button pusher (CNC operator) CNC programmer/setter however isnt a bad skill to have, im learning programming at the moment but make sure you get a good footing in conventional machining.

Greg

[tomgriffin]

mechanical engineering toolmaking is just a specialised and highly precision sector of mechanical engineering - machining, fitting etc. you want to get a job as a machinist - manual that is, you dont want to end up a button pusher (CNC operator) CNC programmer/setter however isnt a bad skill to have, im learning programming at the moment but make sure you get a good footing in conventional machining.

Greg

Cheers mate.......i will have a look on the net to find some companies and colleges who offer apprenticeship schemes