| The gunsmith trade is one that has been well | | | | a few of the skills required of the general |
| respected due to the skill needed and the long | | | | gunsmith such as working only on pistols, or |
| years of training to acquire that skill. In early | | | | shotguns, or antique firearms. |
| America the gunsmithing trade was viewed as an | | | | Further specializations in gunsmithing include |
| indispensable vocation because their skills were | | | | Custom Builder/Designer who build guns to |
| necessary to the survival of the area they | | | | customers specifications from raw materials and |
| served. The gunsmith supplied the area with | | | | shelf parts. This requires great skill and education |
| services necessary to defend themselves against | | | | since components must be crafted before |
| their enemies. | | | | assembly can begin. A Finisher uses various |
| A finished weapon required close detail work on | | | | chemicals (bluing, etc.) applied to the metal parts |
| iron, wood, steel, carving designs, and engraving | | | | to develop corrosion resistant surfaces. |
| soft and hard metals. The skills required to | | | | A stockmaker carves gun stocks from wood, fits |
| perform these many tasks were acquired over | | | | the stocks to the metal part of the gun, and |
| many years, beginning as a young boy of 12 or | | | | applies a protective finish to the wood. A gun |
| 14 years of age. | | | | engraver cuts designs or pictures into the metal |
| Gunsmithing, for the dedicated hunter or sport | | | | surfaces of the gun, usually elaborate scroll-work |
| shooter, is usually an acquired skill to maintain and | | | | or pictures of game animals, or dogs, or birds. |
| repair their firearms. Gunsmithing tools and tool | | | | Pistolsmiths specialize in work on pistols and |
| boxes, glue and epoxy, and gunsmithing work | | | | revolvers. |
| stations are items necessary to perform these | | | | Gunsmithing can also include only making a few |
| repairs. | | | | types of gun parts (niche manufacturer) for sale |
| Gunsmiths, as a profession, are persons who | | | | to other gunsmiths and gun makers. These parts |
| repairs, modifies, designs and/or builds firearms, | | | | include barrels, trigger assemblies and receivers. |
| either to factory or customer specifications. The | | | | Gunsmithing is an acquired skill. Hunters and other |
| primary responsibility of the gunsmith is to ensure | | | | shooters have repaired and maintained their guns |
| that the weapons they work on operate safely. | | | | since tools were available. Rather than depending |
| Gunsmiths can be employed in factories, sporting | | | | on others, gunsmithing saves time and money, |
| goods stores, or small gunsmith shops. Due to the | | | | and instills a sense of accomplishment at being |
| great number of skills required to master the | | | | able to do your own gun work. |
| entire gunsmithing craft, many will specialize in only | | | | |