Sometime in the 80's I visited my son who was performing in a "Broadway Type" show called "Deutschland Lied" (Germany Sings) in Cologne (Koln) Germany. One day when he was busy all day with rehersals I caught the train to Liege (about one hour away). There was a huge carnival playing right in the middle of town. I asked about the arms museum but found that it was closed that day as well. I then went on to find the Fabrique Nationale (FN)plant and by a little subterfuge (conveyed greetings from our Governor Campbell and reminding them that we have an FN plant here in Columbia, SC) got the "Cook's Tour" of their works. There were guys walking in & out with briefcases handcuffed to their wrist.
The highlight of my tour was a visit to their Custom Shop where they were building & finishing custom guns and rifles some with elaborate inlays and engraving. They had a room of finished guns for Saudi Sheiks, Middle Eastern Princes and heards of state. I saw the Apprentice at the bench next to to the Journeyman next to the Master Gunsmith or Engraver. They didn't have any free samples of their work but they were kind enough to give me some very fine books on the history of FN.
Best Regards, George
