When visiting the Old Birmingham Gun Quarter many years ago the stocker Malcolm Bowater told me that no files were used when inletting only chisels. I watched him work and it was unbelievable the work that can be done with sharp chisels and lots of talent. The chips removed for inletting a side lock were like cigarette paper on the final cuts. For the shaping of the stock draw knives were the tool of choice for most of the wood removal. He learned the trade partly from his father. When he was apprenticing his father would cover up anything he was working on if he got too close to the bench.
Cheers,
Laurie
