Heritage and Collections of the Gunmakers Livery

Dedicated to preserving, curating and promoting the rich history of the Company and Proof, its buildings, objects and archives.

400 Years of Constant Change

The Livery of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers holds a unique place in our countries heritage. Our building is a heritage site, the location of many artifacts, papers, and works of art, and the centre of four hundred years of change in firearms. It is also the oldest Proof House in the world.

Heritage and Collections Committee

The Heritage and Collections Committee (HCC) of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers is dedicated to preserving, curating and promoting the rich history of the Company and Proof, its buildings, objects, archives and heritage craft practices and encouraging the revealing of new knowledge in all these areas.

This committee oversees the management of the Company’s historical objects, archives, and collections, ensuring that the legacy of the Company is maintained and enhanced for future generations. Management extends to acquisition, donations and bequests, loans, de-accession and disposal.

Through its efforts, the committee not only honours the deep and rich heritage of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers but also engages the Livery collective, City and the wider community in the stories of this important historic regulatory organisation that continues to protect public safety, consumers and users from its home in the London Proof House.

An example of wider engagement is the Warrior Group Initiative (WGI). The Company is facilitating the development of this Initiative via the HCC.

Committee Membership

LIVERYMEN

Professor David Williams OBE FREng, Chair

Dr Nicholas Harlow, Deputy Chair and Honorary Archivist

Rowlie McBeath, Past Master

Richard Hefford-Hobbs FREng, Master

Derek Stimpson, Archivist Emeritus

David de M Williams, Honorary Curator

Francis Pearce

Eleanor Bainton

Donna Stevens

Richard Norton

EXTERNAL

Laura Bell, Director of Collections of the Royal Armouries

Simon Metcalf MVO, the King's Armourer, Royal Collection Trust