The Clerk's Office
For general enquiries, membership, event booking and committee business.
How Do I Become a Liveryman?
A measure of your character
The only measure of your worthiness to become a Liveryman of the Gunmakers, apart from being of legal age, is your character and a shared love of fellowship and philanthropy.
First you will join the membership waiting list. We are only able to accept a certain number of new Liverymen each year.
Once you have progressed from the Livery waiting list, the process begins with a Proposer and Seconder from our existing Liverymen, and a sponsor from our Court if your proposer and seconder don't sit on the Court. These people will need to complete a written recommendation to support your proposed membership.
When the nominations have been completed your application will be reviewed by the membership committee, and if successful here it will be approved at a session of the Court.
Next you'll be invited to swear three solemn and lifelong oaths. The first to become a Freeman of the Gunmakers. The second to receive the Freedom of the City of London, a long process where the Gunmakers' Livery will write to the City of London Corporation and recommend you. The Third oath will be to become a Liveryman of the Gunmakers, swear your loyalty and fealty, and finally to be Clothed.
On completion your name will have become a permanent part of the national archive of Great Britain, and you will begin your work contributing to the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers.
How long does it take?
Securing your nominations
To become a Gunmaker you must ideally know two existing Liverymen of the Gunmakers. They can affirm that you are of good character.
There is no fixed timeline for securing your supporters, and if you only have one Liveryman that would propose you then we can introduce you to a potential seconder that will take time to know you.
Once your proposer and seconder are secured the process above typically takes between nine and eighteen months. You will also need to find a Court sponsor if your supporters don’t sit on the Court. One can be appointed and will take the time to get to know you and answer any further questions you might have.
You may simply enjoy our unique and unusual events and the fellowship that this affords. You may wish to contribute to the advancement and success of the London Proof House or the Livery itself. You might also wish to participate in our civic duties in support of the Mayoralty and the City of London.
What are the Expectations of a Liveryman?
The Gunmakers' Livery is inclusive
What you should expect is that anyone, regardless of their background and interests, is equally welcome at the Gunmakers. Every Liveryman has equal value and opportunity.
Our standards, as outlined in the Code of Conduct and the expected etiquette at Livery events, apply to everyone. Liverymen and their guests.
You may simply enjoy our unique and unusual events. You may wish to contribute to the advancement and success of the London Proof House or the Livery itself. You might wish to participate in our civic duties to the City of London.
We recommend that you consider how and why you would wish to contribute to the Gunmakers' Livery before you make your application.
What is the Role of the Gunmakers in the City of London?
Gunmakers are Inclusive
The Gunmakers play an active role in supporting the Mayoralty, the City Corporation and other Livery Company’s. The Gunmakers are engaged with the other Warrior Company’s in support of shared objectives within the City.
All Livery Company’s play a role in supplying and electing the Lord / Lady Mayor as they have done for centuries, and City governance.
The Clerk and Assistant Clerk at the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers play a vital role in the administration and operations of this historic time honoured livery company, which has roots dating back to the 16th century.
The Clerk is the chief administrative officer and serves as the key liaison between the
Company, its members, and external relationships from a City Livery perspective.
The Clerk balances the demands of tradition with the needs of modern governance, inclusivity, relevance and general administration. The Clerk’s office supports the company's mission to promote the art, craft and mystery of gun making while fostering community and camaraderie among its members, as well as City and civic engagement.
The Clerk
For enquiries about the Company, other Livery relationships, and the City of London.
The Assistant Clerk
For enquiries about membership applications, the membership process, event bookings and general queries.