Interview with Macie Gray, an apprentice at James Purdey and Sons Ltd.

What made you want to become a gunmaker?

When I left school, I actually wanted to work as an engineer in F1 but was told to go into further education with something I really enjoyed, so went on to Sparsholt. I came across my job and viewed it as a cross of the love of which I had for guns and field sports, along with the challenges and intricate work of being an engineer. I haven’t looked back since.

How long have you been involved in the trade?

I started in the gun trade in September 2018.

Do you have a family background in the gun world, if so, could you describe it?

I have grown up around guns; my father was a gamekeeper and studied at Sparsholt College. I, too, went on to study there and become a keeper for a few years around the country. Going shooting was a normal Saturday tradition for most of my life from around 7 years old.

What area of gun making interests you?

I like the challenge of gunmaking, finding problems and generating a solution. No two guns are ever built 100% the same, meaning you constantly face new challenges and have to think outside of the box to develop a solution.

Why did you choose to join James Purdey?

I see the company as a place which is constantly evolving and keeping up with the changes in the world. They have been constantly changing and updating products to make them the best that they can be, and that’s something I admired greatly.

What have you enjoyed most since being with Purdey?

My favourite part about my job has to be the people I work with. I am surrounded by interesting and supportive people, many of which have been in the trade for a long time. Everyone is willing to teach and help one another out, and I couldn’t feel more encouraged or supported by the people I work with.

Are you learning a specific craft, or are you using newer technology?

I would say that I am lucky enough to be still taught the more traditional ways of gun making, but also incorporating some of the newer technology on the market. As a finisher, I am taught the traditional methods of working, but as times change, the addition of CAD/CAM has made our work much more efficient and time effective while still incorporating the traditional methods.

What is the most difficult gun making task you have undertaken?

There is a lot to remember in this job, and it comes with a huge amount of skills and processes that cover a range of possibilities. Sometimes I can get that little bit too far ahead of myself and need to take a step back and think about what is the next step. I learned early on that taking notes is a really helpful thing, and now regularly look at them as a first port of call when I am stuck.

What piece are you working on for the certification panel?

I hope to present the panel with two separate pieces of work. A pair of locks and a London-finished sidelock.