Gunsmithing

The silent decline of a venerable guild

The gunsmith's trade has been an integral part of Ferlach for five centuries, but this respected guild is now threatened with extinction.(Bild: Privat)

Guns from Ferlach have a good reputation worldwide. But the venerable trade is now threatened with extinction. The "Krone" spoke to one of the last gunsmiths from the Rosental valley.

The history of gunsmithing in Ferlach goes back to the late 16th century. At that time, Emperor Ferdinand was looking for suitable gunsmiths. He found them in the Habsburg Netherlands and called them to Ferlach. Thus began the success story from the Rosental valley.