Weapons have been manufactured since ancient times. Initially, people used randomly found boulders or sticks. Getting his own food, protecting his home from enemies, a man learned to make stone hammers. Spears, bows and arrows appeared as weapons improved.
Mining, metal processing has led to the emergence of a new profession. The gunsmith is a master of the manufacture of weapons, protective equipment. He was engaged in the manufacture of swords and shields, helmets and crossbows.
Who are gunsmiths?
The weapons of antiquity gave way to more advanced models. Military equipment developed. At first it was a cold weapon. Stitching and cutting objects. With the invention of gunpowder, firearms appeared. Rifle and automatic equipment - arquebuses, squeals, muskets.
The gunsmith is a professional in the manufacture of military equipment. Spades and spears, swords and sabers were created by these masters. Engraving, embossing, decoration of weapons added value, made the master unique in the manufacture of a certain type of product. The functional properties of the weapon and the decorative ones gradually merged.
Hand forging, foundry difficulties, balancing - the gunsmiths passed their secrets by inheritance. The father showed in practice the technology for producing a special type of steel, he set out to his son the peculiarities of hardening the blade. So there were whole dynasties of gunsmiths.
Origin of the word
The main sources of the ancient man's existence were hunting, fishing, and gathering. The division of labor led to the appearance of plowmen and artisans.
Already with the advent of the first communities, people learned to protect their home, family. To hunt and get food. States developed, and with them a complex of weapons became more complicated. The professions associated with him became more and more in demand.
It is believed that the word "weapon" comes from the word "horn" ("horn"). For an animal, they are a means of defense and attack. The meaning of the word "gunsmith" is a specialist in military equipment. Master in the processing of wood, metal. He knows how to create different types of weapons, tries to improve their parameters.
Russian gunsmiths
Making military equipment became more difficult. Special drawings became necessary to create weapons. Entire factories are engaged in military technology.
Since the 16th century, an arms factory was launched in Tula. Military campaigns required a lot of equipment. Swords, sabers, guns began to be mass produced.
In Moscow, appeared Kuznetsk settlement, Cannon Yard. There artisans were engaged in metal processing. They worked on creating edged weapons and protective equipment - helmets, cuirasses.
Zlatoust weapons factory supplied military products of the Russian and Soviet army. Broadswords, daggers, sabers made in this city are some of the best examples of the Armory.
The whole world knows the names of M. Kalashnikov, F. Tokarev, V. Degtyarev, G. Shpagin. We can say that the gunsmith is a specialist who is able to ensure the reliability of the product, to create a high-quality sample.
Later, the production of firearms led to the appearance of factories in the cities of Kovrov, Izhevsk, Klimovsk. Since 2010, a new memorable date has been set. September 19 is the professional holiday of gunsmiths in Russia.
The gunsmiths of our time
So what is a gunsmith in modern world? This is a design engineer who, according to the drawings, creates component parts. This is a turner, a milling machine operator who knows how to process them. Foundry workers, steelworkers, able to solder parts together. These are engraving artists who are able to encrust butt stocks, hilt.
The gunsmith is a combination of professions aimed at creating and improving new technologies. Such as:
- devices, night vision sights.
- machine guns, grenade launchers;
- mines, torpedoes;
- ballistic missiles, combat aircraft;
- tanks, warships.
Modern gunsmiths pay great attention to technical properties. This is the rate of fire and accuracy, maneuverability and the affected area. Thermal laser systems have appeared that can injure without bullets. A weapon firing from around the corner exceeds the capabilities of its counterparts due to the bending barrel.
State security is the main goal of mass military production. To this day, gunsmiths make an incredible contribution to the creation and strengthening of the country's position.