Award of Gunmakers’ Certification 2020

Following their apprenticeships in gunmaking at James Purdey & Sons Ltd, Messrs Hulsters, Dinham Price, Morris and Ackerman were presented with the Award of Gunmakers’ Certification by Mr Roddy Richmond Watson, Master of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers, at the Proof House on 10 September. 

Back in February the candidates each submitted an example of their work to the Gunmakers’ Company Certification Panel for critical examination by master craftsmen and directors from the trade, and faced questions on their work, their technical knowledge and gunmaking in general.  Chairman of the Panel, Court Assistant Simon West said members were:

‘ impressed by the very high standard of craftsmanship, dedication to their work and the enthusiasm displayed by the candidates. And in summing up, the Panel had agreed that their passion for gunmaking, commitment to the trade and the very effective and positive relationship between employer, trainer and apprentice were obvious for us all to see. The candidates were a great credit to themselves, and all concerned with their training, and are thoroughly deserving of the Award of Gunmakers’ Certification’.

Their achievement was marked at a much reduced C19 influenced event at the Proof House, when the Master presented Certificates. For several of the recipients, their proud fathers, from as far afield as Devon and Birmingham, were there to witness. Proud fathers in some case who themselves had received their Gunmakers’ Certification a decade or two ago!  

Example of an apprentice’s engraving on a ‘best English gun’

The Certification Panel welcomes masters and apprentices from across the gunmaking crafts to consider applying for this prestigious award. Click … here … for further details.

The London Proof House looking ready for the Christmas celebration.

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Coat of arms with weapons, flags, and Latin inscription:

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