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Qualifications not recognised?
I served in the army for 10 years as a REME Armourer. By the time I left, I had become a class 1 Armourer, responsible for the inspection, repair, maintenance and servicing of all small arms and pistols, machine guns, mortars, Milan missile sytem, warrior turrets and 30mm rarden cannon.
I hoped to work as a gunsmith but was told, all my qualifications and experience was not recognised as a civilian gunsmith. I have searched on line for courses to take, to become qualified, but there are none in Uk. Is the information I was given true, my experience in the repair and maintenance of all these different weapons count for nothing? If so, where can I get the qualifications to be recognised? Why are military qualifications not recognised? I would like to see a civilian gunsmith repair a weapon whilst being shot at in a very hot country and then after the repair is complete, return to being a soldier
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Most likely there is a license required to be a gunsmith or some form of certification certificate. You most likely have the hands on qualifications required just absent the piece of paper you need to work as a gunsmith.
What I would suggest are as follows.
1) Contact the department of licensing to see what license is required. If one is required they may be able to furnish you with a list of schools that upon completion of the course can issue the certificate or license.
When you contact any of these schools tell them of your qualifications and if you have any certificates of training from the military show them to the admissions officer. Ask if it is possible for you to just test through the course to obtain your license.
2) If a license is required and the department of licensing can licensing cannot or will not recommend any schools. Use search engines asking to display "Gunsmith Schools." When you contact these Schools I against advice you ask if it is possible to test out based on your military experience.
3) Not living in the UK I am not sure if they have a Veterans Administration. I believe they do or something similar to that which we have here in the states. If so they would have someone to help with education, educational benefits and job placement. Contact this department and ask them for help with finding out what you need to be a gunsmith and getting credit for what you learned in the Military.
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Does seem bizarre that the ability to work on hardware like this doesn't have some transferrable civillian qualifaction. Where you would, I imagine be mostly called upon to clean, modify and repair sporting guns (which haven't really changed in 100 years!). I reckon any any existing gunsmith, or big field-sports store (who might want an in-house gunsmith, maybe who worked as sales adviser/representative too) couldn't get you on the staff quick enough with that background. Have you tried just writing speculative letters to all and anyone who might be a possibility? Put your position clearly and concisely, asking to be considered for any vacancy if or when it arises. I know spec letters are a bit of a hit or miss approach but just one positive reply is all you need. I'd make it paper and ink letters. Unsolicited emails to 'the manager' or 'head of recruitment' of companies rarely get read. Can't think of much else I'm afraid. I think it's fair to say shooting is more popular than it was ten or 15 years ago, but it's still quite a minority thing. Even if there were courses, and millitary qualifications were transferrable you'd probably be lucky to find an employer on your doorstep as it were, and have to be prepared to travel. Can one work as a self-employed gunsmith and offer services? Or are there legal restrictions? Or does it involve really expensive machinery and tools? If it's legally possible, and practical to equip your own workshop and work from home, is there an option to pursue this path? My own experience (as owner, and of shotguns only, not gunsmith) was that one only had to show safe storage(an approved gun safe) to the Police fireamrs department officer to be able to keep guns at home. Can't remember the number any one person could have at any time, but surely that could be worked around by having them brought-in for pre-arranged work? Best of luck chap.
ps Maybe include sporting gun clubs in your mailing list for spec letters. And definitely approach them if you were to go single-handed. They've got lots of members and every member will have at least one gun. Could well be wanting their latest piece 'fitted'. Trap-men love having strange chokes fitted and mods to the stock-length and profile and stuff. Lots of work opportunities there!
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