I'm a bit suspicious of the "Master's Project Gun" idea. Perhaps I'm wrong, but as I understand it this gun was made by an individual at the end of the gun making apprenticeship program.

Friends of mine went through apprenticeship programs with the big, prestigious London makers. At the end of their programs they had mastered a very focused part of the gun making process - stock making, bbl making, actioning, finishing, etc.

Once they had mastered their skill they practiced it and earned a living.

Perhaps the Belgain/European trade was/is different, but I doubt it. This line from the quote above seems to say that it isn't "Instruction is somewhat specialized, depending on the part of the gunmaking that the apprentices desire to follow."

OWD

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