Reader Forum

Additional Parts Sources I’ve used your Gun Part Sources from your website (AmericanGunsmith.info/gun-parts). I’ve used several that weren’t on that list. Allegheny Arms (AlleghenyArms.com). Suppliers of threaded barrels.; Black Guns Wood (Black- GunsWood.com). Wood furniture for AR-15 rifles/carbines.; Hoosier Gun Works (Hoosier Gun Works. com). Commercial and Military firearms parts.; Triple K Holsters (TripleK.com).

Magazines, Grips, buttplates and parts as well as fine leather holsters.; Amherst Military Depot (Amherst Military Depot. com). Vintage U. S. Military firearms.; Carl Walther (Carl Walther. com). Factory parts for any Walther firearm ever manufactured.; Fulton Armory (Fulton-Armory. com). Vintage U. S. military fire- A craftsman is a person that can make things with skill and care.

This has more to do with the careful attention of a devotee doing great work than any formal stamp of approval from any educational institution. As gunsmiths, firearms are our medium. Ultimately, the educational program(s) taken won’t matter as much as the on-going work and ever increasing list of completed jobs. Any gunsmith worthy of the name will always have at least one active project on their bench at all times, usually several.

Even those with a professional shop and successful business will still likely have personal or home projects. Someone that merely takes a workaday approach to their gunsmithing probably won’t become really good at it. Perhaps it’s a compulsion (or sickness) but I can’t not have on-going projects in the works. I view any degree or certification program as a stepping stone on the start of a journey.

It is a useful—and possibly necessary—foot in the door to land a job at someone else’s shop before you’re able arms parts.; Galloway Precision (GallowayPrecision.com). Performance parts for many different makes and models.; Tornado Technologies (Tornado Technologies. com). Barrel threading service.; Volquartsen (Volquartsen.com). Precision performance parts and custom-made firearms.; Sons of Liberty Gun Works (SOLGW, SonsOfLibertyGW.com).

High quality (Lifetime Warranty) AR-15 parts and custom-made Modern Sporting Rifles.; Liberty Tree Collectors (LibertyTreeCollectors.com). Collectable military parts and accessories as well as vintage firearms and ammunition. Thanks for the additions. I’ve added this to our list on the website. to start your own business. These programs can serve as a survey course and a means to determine if you’re really serious.

Do you relish the course work, routinely add to it, seek ways to perfect them further, and look for more things to build or repair? Or is it a bit of a slog that you find dwindles enthusiasm? Any craftwork demands careful attention to dull tasks you may have done hundreds of times before. If there isn’t at least some innate spark of inspiration to see every project through to a better-than-anticipated conclusion, hand labor at your bench on yet another gun will rapidly lose its luster.

Better to find out during the initial few weeks of a trades course than after you’ve invested heavily in building a shop you now dread going to every day. So, there’s no official gunsmithing certification. For us entrepreneurs, that gives more free reign and less government oversight to ply our trade, where we can compete solely on our ability. Which is exactly how I like it. AG Cowan’s & Hindman Auctions Hindman is a leading fine art auction house connecting cities nationwide to the global art market.

With offices and salerooms throughout the country, Hindman conducts over 140 auctions annually in all major fine art and luxury collecting categories, while offering buyers and sellers an exceptional experience across multiple selling channels and price points. Hindman provides collectors, fiduciaries, and institutions with a comprehensive suite of services including auctions, appraisals, private sales, and art advisory.

Hindman was formed through the merger of two auction houses, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers (est. 1982) and Cowan’s Auctions (est. 1995), celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2022. Headquartered in Jon P. Lewis

Chicago with 15 additional locations serving clients coast to coast, these auctions generate over $100 million in annual sales. While known for its fine art auctions, Hindman also conducts Arms, Armor & Militaria auctions. These auctions realized more than $1.4 million, with 97 percent of lots sold and 61 percent of lots sold within or above the estimate.

One recent example was a Bergmann Schmeisser Prototype 1897 Model 5 Experimental Pistol with Holster Stock, a museum-quality prototype that is a remarkable example of turn-of-the-century technology that showcases the innovations taking place at that time. At auction, it went well past its $15,000- 25,000 estimate to realize $72,000. "This pistol is an outstanding display of technology that was among the best of its time," said Tim Carey, Cowan’s Director of Arms, Armor & Militaria.

Bergmann Schmeisser Prototype Other arms auctioned include a Peter Chapman 28 Gauge Sidelock Hammerless Side-by-Side Shotgun with Straight English Stock; Parker GH Grade 20 Gauge Shotgun with 32 Inch Barrels on a 0 Frame; Japanese Model 1902 "Grandpa" Nambu Holster Stock with Spare Wood Bottom Magazine & Cleaning Rod; and Factory Engraved Colt 1877 Thunderer Sheriff’s Model with Pearl Grips in Decorative "Book" Casing.

Bidding for these auctions are available at Cowan’s in Cincinnati, via telephone, and live online. Cowan’s continues to welcome consignments for its future Arms, Armor & Militaria auctions. Visit HindmanAuctions.com or call G Peter Chapman Parker GH Grade Japanese Model 1902 Colt 1877 Thunderer