Gilbert Gun Exchange

Humphrey T. Gilbert SR started this operation in 1952 from a renovated chicken coop in Eau Claire. His son Humphrey Jr. ran it for decades. Today, Tom Gilbert (Humphrey Thomas Gilbert III) operates the shop from a historic 1894 bank building on US Highway 12 in Elk Mound, Wisconsin—the same counter his grandfather used is still there.

"It's called gunSMITHING. To smith is to move metal, such as a blacksmith or a goldsmith or a metal smith. Most individuals calling themselves gunsmiths today, would be better defined as an armorer, which is a mechanic. They replace parts." —Tom Gilbert

That distinction matters. Gilbert Gun Exchange moves metal. They handle full machining services, not just parts swaps.

• •Gun cleaning and basic repair for all makes and models
• •Optics mounting and sight installation
• •Machining services (the real smithing work)
• •Hot bluing and stock refinishing
• •Firearm buying, selling, and trading (new and used)

The Gun X Custom division handles specialized work:

• •Cerakote custom finishes (their specialty coating)
• •Tactical rifle builds (custom configurations)
• •Tactical shotgun builds
• •Custom pistol builds
• •One-of-a-kind custom rifles

Address: 200 W Menomonie St, Elk Mound, WI 54739 Phone: (715) 879-4644 Email: [email protected]

The shop occupies an 1894 bank building that was Dunn County's first bank. Humphrey Jr. purchased it in 1969 and used it as residence, a jewelry store, and an art studio (he taught at UW-Stout for 35 years as an art metals professor). When US Highway 12 was rerouted in 1998, Tom moved the gun shop back onto the highway in 2000—into this restored building where it operates today.