handmade files

[ronan]

I was given a Dublin made sidelock recently. It was a high quality piece when new over 100 years ago and the only damage is some fool drilling the bottom rib and stock for sling swivels . I removed the stock to send it off for rechequering and was amazed at how fine the workmanship on the inside is. All made by files and men who knew how to use them.

When i was serving my time as a fitter, we had to spend 6 months at a bench learning to file to 0.02mm (and you could do better with practise), but some of the younger instructors did not want use to use files at all, apart from knocking birrs off parts when the cnc mill farted out another part.

 

[hareng]

Agree theres still proper talent but dwindling fast with probably 20 specialists worth their salt left, gone in next 10-15 years with no one to replace.
Most of these were the time served specialists trained by Purdey, H&H who set up on their own after being sacked 30 years ago. Remember some of the best guns ever made were made in Brum for London houses.

Quite correct again Ronan thats what its come down to, engineers are only employed nowadays to polish and fit the parts.

 

[Kent]

I think there is a new charitable group set up to help people train in the Guntrade isn't there? Sure I read about it in the field not long back

 

[ronan]

I think there is a new charitable group set up to help people train in the Guntrade isn't there? Sure I read about it in the field not long back

https://www.theexplora.com/the-apprentices-securing-our-future/