SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — Seventeenth century Maine had a gun issue
far different from today’s.Guns were a basic necessity for
hunting food in the wilderness and defense in a time of warfare
between Native Americans and European settlers. And the problem
was that too few weapons were available. In a talk celebrating
the Berwicks’ 300th anniversary this year, a local blacksmith
and gunsmith, Steve Woodman, will discuss the perpetual shortage
of firearms in colonial Maine, the men who tried to alleviate
the shortage, and the methods they used. Sponsored by the Old
Berwick Historical Society, the talk will begin at 7:30 pm on
Thursday, February 28, at Berwick Academy’s Jeppesen Science
Center on Academy Street. The public is invited and refreshments
will be served. “Among those living in our area, there were
always more people needing firearms than there were weapons to
arm them,” Woodman explained.“With low supplies and great
demand, a number of men worked to keep as many guns in working
order as possible.” His ta