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Mike Miller on 18thC gunmaking

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I've just lucked onto this fascinating movie of Youtube, and sat enthralled as Master GunmakerMike Miller goes through what goes on in a gunsmiths' shop in Post-Revolutionary America.



What truly astounds me, however, is that ANYBODY could post a 'dislike' on this impressive movie. let alone nineteen at the last count. Some folks amaze me.
 
Probably anyone who posted a "dislike" is either jealous or an Anti Gun Whacko.

There were some excellent points Mike Miller made in the video, especially how each gunsmith had to make one barrel and lock, but afterwards normally bought them from someone else.

This is the first time I have heard of a Gunsmith refusing to do Militia duty because if he got hurt, he could not work. However, I have run across at least two or three times where period Gunsmiths were excused from militia duty, not only because they were the only ones who could repair guns, but they normally fixed a plethora of other items. I've seen a few period gunsmith account books and they went months or more without "building/stocking" an entire rifle or fowler. They did all kinds of gun repairs, but also fixed pots, pans, tools, and made all sorts of items for other tradesmen or domestic purposes - as the people needed.

I have only one slight and respectful constructive criticism. Mike was a little cloudy about a Journeyman showing his "Master's Piece" to a Guild and be accepted, before he became a Master. This is how it was done in Europe, but not in America as there were no formal guilds here, though there might have been informal guilds in some of the larger cities. Upon his completion of his Apprenticeship program, a gunsmith became a Journeyman who may have worked for one or more Masters in their shops for the rest of their lives, or may have moved and set up their own shop. Once they set up their own shop, they were the Master of their shop. Many of the frontier gunsmiths were Journeymen who set up their own shops on the frontier, so they became a Master at that point.

Overall an excellent video and thanks for posting it TFoley!

Gus
 
Mike Miller is a superb gunsmith and a gentleman. The only reason I would dislike his video is out of jealousy as I can't build a rifle to degree of excellence that he can build a rifle.

Tac, thanks for posting the link to the video.
 
I sub. to Townsends for the cooking vids.
This was also a very well produced and informative piece.
Check out the "sifting the past" and "savoring the past" web sites.

Great content!!
 
The Townsends video reminded me of an abbreviated version of "The Gunsmith of Williamsburg". This is high praise as I've watched the Williamsburg video, VHF tape and DVD, a gazillion times over the years. You can see the influence of Wallace Gussler on Miller in his style and approach. The Townsends episode will give folks an appreciation of what went into a high level flintlock. I especially liked when Miller gave an idea of the time it took to do certain functions.

This might belong in the Media subcategory but Townsends does a wonderful job on demonstrating aspects of 18th century life. I find their videos pleasantly addictive.

Jeff
 
He has got morethen nine hundred thousand subscribers. I’m sure a few are history buffs and not shooters. Most of his vids look at cooking, life skills or clothing. So there is probably more then one anti gun,or more likely uninterested in guns section of audience. Lots of folks that are not subscribing that will take a dim view of gunsmithing. Lastly some folks just got to dislike, it doesn’t matter what it is,
 
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