THE CRAFT OF THE GUNSMITH. By G.W. Spearing.

(1986) 1988 paperback edition. Small 8vo paperback (129 x 196mm). Pp128. B/w photographs and illustrations.

G.W. Spearing was a master-gunsmith, an excellent shot and a successful shooting instructor. In this book, the author describes his career from apprentice to master of his craft, with much discussion of methods. The book is "divided into three parts - on his apprenticeship on repairing guns by hand and on developing shooting skills [this book] is a must for the country sportsman and for everyone devoted to rural matters." Chapters include: You must be daft; Very early days; Beginning the craft; Continuing to learn, brazing spring steel, smoking a fit; Back on the farm; Old guns, new guns; Past masters; Practical gun work; Simple work, butt extension, rightening up, full rejoint; And not so simple, strikers, bolt loops, screws, lock swivels, other internal lock parts; Stocking - to begin, choosing a stock, shaping the stock, inletting, the importance of cast, inletting again; Stocking - to finish, shaping down, chequering, finishing; The importance of springs; Becoming a shot; Shooting - early experiences; The clay target, concentration, skeet; Teaching others, beginners and beginning, the once-good shot; Problems and peculiarites, balling of shot, over pressures, a perforated cap, shot sizes and the extreme range of a game gun, silencers on a .22 rifle / .410 shotgun, stocks with cheek pieces; Glossary of gunmaker's terms.