The on-site gunsmith workshop,
fitted to the shooter since 1983.
Three in-house gunsmiths, a CNC stock-inletting bench, a Cerakote spray room, and direct proof-house liaison — all built into the same Tetbury premises that have served Britain's shooters for forty-two years. Every rifle and shotgun we sell leaves the door with a lifetime gun-fitting included.
Six services, three gunsmiths, one door.
From a one-off Cerakote re-finish to a full restoration of a pre-war sidelock, every piece of work begins on the same oak bench under the same roof. This is what we are asked to do, week in and week out, by shooters across the UK.
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01
CNC stock inletting
Hand-selected walnut, Turkish, or composite blanks inletted on our CNC bench to your exact action — Mauser, Sauer, Blaser, Tikka, Sako, Anschutz, Steyr and more. Inlet pressure checked, recoil lug bedded, and pillar-fitted as standard.
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02
Cerakote application
Over 40 stock colours held in the spray room, from graphite and tungsten to H-series high-temp barrel finishes. Full degrease, media-blast, oven-cure, with build-sheet recorded against your gun's serial for warranty.
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03
Proof-house liaison
Direct scheduling with the Birmingham Proof House for re-proofs after rebarrels, soundness tests for second-hand shotguns, and Section 5 deactivation paperwork. We handle the transport under RFD transfer.
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04
Restoration & conservation
Sidelocks, boxlocks and hammer guns sympathetically restored — colour case-hardened, re-engraved, and re-browned where appropriate. Each job is photographed and logged through every stage.
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05
Bedding & barrel work
Pillar bedding, glass-bedding, free-float conversion, and crown-cutting on the lathe. Barrel re-black, hammer-tone, or full Cerakote — whichever the original specification (and proof paperwork) will allow.
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06
Lifetime gun-fitting
Bundled with every rifle and shotgun purchase.
Included at no charge for the lifetime of the gun: cast, drop, length-of-pull, comb height, and adjustable cheek-piece consultation at our Tetbury fitting studio — over 1,200 fittings completed to date.
Finished on the bench, not staged in a studio.
A selection of completed jobs from the last season — each photographed on the oak fitting bench before being returned to its owner, RFD-loggued.
A gun is never finished when it leaves the maker. It is finished when it sits to the shoulder and the eye lines up true — and that is bench work, not catalogue work. Every rifle and shotgun we sell leaves here with that appointment already booked into its lifetime.
Forty-two years, measured on the bench.
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1,200+Custom stock fittings completed
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3In-house gunsmiths, 90+ yrs combined
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42 yrsContinuous trade from The Old Armoury
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LifetimeGun-fitting bundled with every rifle & shotgun
Six questions every shooter asks first.
A short answer to the practical, compliance-aware questions we field most weeks at the bench. If yours is not below, call David Hennessy direct on 01666 503 220.
What is the typical turnaround for a Cerakote re-finish?
A single rifle re-finish — strip, degrease, media-blast, two coats, oven-cure, re-assembly — runs 12 to 18 working days. Two-rifle jobs are scheduled together; we do not sub-let finishes out of the door. Rush slots are occasionally available; please ask.
Which Cerakote colours and barrel finishes are held in stock?
Over 40 H-series and C-series colours are held in the spray room, including graphite, tungsten, sniper grey, od green, and Barrett bronze. For high-temperature barrel work we hold the E-series (up to 1,000 °F) and the H-Series High Temp. Custom colour matching is available for restoration work.
How does proof-house scheduling work?
We schedule directly with the Birmingham Proof House on your behalf after rebarrel work, soundness testing or Section 5 deactivation. The firearm leaves our premises under RFD transfer, is transported by our insured courier, and returns the same way — every movement is logged against your RFD entry.
How long does a gun-fitting visit take and where does it happen?
A first fitting takes 60 to 90 minutes in our Tetbury fitting studio — please bring the rifle or shotgun you intend to shoot, plus a sample of your usual clothing. We measure cast, drop, length-of-pull and comb height, and either adjust the existing stock or specify a replacement blank from CNC inlet onwards.
Can I send my existing rifle to the workshop from another dealer or from home?
Yes — private owners may deliver in person (with FAC/S/C) or arrange an RFD-to-RFD transfer via their local registered dealer. Once on our premises, every firearm is logged into our secure register (Reg. RFD-4192-2016) and held in our on-site steel cabinetry until collection.
What warranty and after-care applies to workshop work?
All Cerakote finishes carry a two-year adhesion warranty against normal sporting use. CNC inlet work and pillar bedding carry a lifetime fitting guarantee — if the stock shifts, we re-bed at the bench free of charge. Restorations are warranted for twelve months on parts and labour.
Ready to book a job on the bench?
Book a Workshop Consultation