Advanced Gunsmithing ─ A Manual of Instruction in the Manufacture, Alteration and Repair of Firearms

A historical landmark title on the practice of gunsmithing.

Widely regarded as one of the foremost bibles of gunsmithing of its time, Vickery’s Advanced Gunsmithing is still relevant to this day. With in-depth explanations on different gunsmithing tools, gun parts, and methods, this technical resource complements other modern titles in the contemporary gunsmithing book market.

Vickery’s passion for tools, and the firearms he could manipulate with them, gives this book its spirit of resourcefulness and experimentation. Different aspects of gunsmithing are highlighted in the book’s twenty chapters, such as barreling, chambering, action, and other kinds of metal-working. Vickery also attempts to reduce the gunsmither’s reliance on hard-to-find tools, and often describes alternate methods where possible. The informational text is supplemented by detailed illustrations, which are in turn accompanied by live photographs so that the reader can accurately compare his or her work to the text’s instruction.

Vickery’s clear and precise instruction covers gunsmithing essentials and techniques for both the amateur and professional smith. The book’s historical significance and previous rare editions make it a valuable collector’s item for any firearm enthusiast. Classic and practical, Advanced Gunsmithing is a noteworthy companion to the gunsmither’s workbench.

W. F. Vickery first began experimenting with gunsmithing when hunting friends asked him to make repairs and alterations to their guns. His love for guns, only preceded by his love for the tools that make them, forced him to abandon all other work for the profession and craft of gunsmithing. During his lifetime, Vickery lived in Boise, Idaho.