This article was recently published in Fieldsports magazine
The historic craft of gunmaking is currently classed as ‘viable’ in Britain, according to the Heritage Craft ‘Red List’. This means it is in a healthy state and has sufficient craftspeople to transmit the skills to the next generation. In part, this is due to the tireless work carried out by The Gunmakers’ Company Charitable Trust. Its chairman, James Horne, outlines more.
In 2003 the Worshipful Gunmakers’ Company founded the Gunmakers’ Company Charitable Trust (GCCT) with its primary purpose to provide bursaries for the training of apprentices in the hope that these wonderful craft based gunmaking skills could be conserved. To date, over £600,000 has been provided to employing companies to help subsidise the annual costs of training 28 apprentices. The standard form of a bursary is £5,000 per year for four years with an independent accreditation process at the end of the period conducted by the Certification Panel of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers.
The GCCT has a straightforward application process which includes a detailed brief from the employing company or gunmaker along with a submission from the prospective apprentice. It is recognised that many talented apprentices might find an application process a challenge, so we are sympathetic and supportive in our early review to ensure we don’t miss potential talent. After review by the bursary group, we follow up with an interview, as it is vital, we use our best endeavours to ensure the apprentice has the commitment to stay the course and become a gunmaker.
The GCCT is run by a team of Trustees who are appointed subject to their areas of expertise and are then split into four subgroups that cover bursaries, finance, fundraising and communications. The bursary team are all experienced in gunmaking and act as mentors to the apprentices. Additional mentors are also appointed by the Trustees to assist in geographical coverage. The Trust has a good geographical spread of current apprentices under bursary, not London centric.
Each year the apprentice will be contacted by the mentor on a quarterly basis and the employing company will submit two reports a year, one in April the other in September that charts the apprentice’s progress. We expect the mentor to also visit once a year to ensure that the welfare and training of the apprentice meets our required standards. These standards include ensuring the correct health and safety standards are being met, at least the minimum wage is being paid, there is adequate supervision, and there is the sufficient equipment being provided.
Alfie Edwards, an apprentice in his 3rd year at Midland Gun Services.
Macie Gray, an apprentice at James Purdey & Sons Ltd.
In the Spring of 2024, the Trust will be holding a two-day seminar for all the apprentices at the Proof House in London. During this seminar presentations will be made by Master Craftsmen on a number of trades as well as other useful skills being taught to assist in their development towards becoming a qualified gunmaker. This development has been made possible by the recent generosity of donors.
The accreditation process is the culmination of four years of work and the panel formed by the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers will review a submitted piece produced by the apprentice that demonstrate and evidence the craft skills learnt over the period. During the time leading up to this process there is dialogue both with the employer and the apprentice that is designed to ensure the best chance of a successful accreditation. The applications are normally supported with a portfolio of previous work. This accreditation provides a certification that the apprentice is now a qualified gunmaker and will become what is referred to in the trade as a “journeyman”.
The GCCT currently has ten apprentices receiving a bursary with several more being considered. We continue to look for more applicants as we are delighted with the success of the new Patrons programme whereby an individual pledges to give £25,000 over a five- year period. So far, the 1637 Patrons Club has fourteen founder patrons and we would welcome more as this will allow our programme to expand further. Alternatively, donations to the GCCT can be made online through our website.
