A picture tour of the Bond Arms plant deep in the heart of Texas (PHOTOS)

Deep in the heart of Texas lies a quintessentially Texan company—Bond Arms. A gaggle of gun writers had a rare chance to see the inner workings of Bond Arms last fall during the Blue August writers’ conference.

In the plant, high-tech robotics, lasers, and humans all work to produce the nation’s best-known derringers and now, a bullpup-frame semi-auto pistol. The place is full of finished products that are works of art, as well as many instances of accidental art, created by the patterns and processes of the work.

Original working prototype of the very first Bond derringer-later named the Cowboy Defender. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

Original working prototype of the very first Bond derringer-later named the Cowboy Defender. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

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Some celebrities have Bond derringers customized just for them. This one belongs to rocker Alice Cooper. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

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A nice profile view of Alice Cooper’s derringer (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

Barrels, barrels, and more barrels. The Bond barrel assembly can change the caliber, and different barrel lengths lend themselves to different purposes, so many owners opt for multiples. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

Barrels, barrels, and more barrels. The Bond barrel assembly can change the caliber, and different barrel lengths lend themselves to different purposes, so many owners opt for multiples. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

Every metal piece must be polished. Frames and levers await further assembly. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

Every metal piece must be polished. Frames and levers await further assembly. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

Some of the production process has been mechanized, but some aspects require the human touch. Here, Mark Petry installs safeties. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

Some of the production process has been mechanized, but some aspects require the human touch. Here, Mark Petry installs safeties. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

A block of 7075 aluminum becomes a finished bullpup frame in 30 minutes, thanks to laser-operating robot and some water. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

A block of 7075 aluminum becomes a finished bullpup frame in 30 minutes, thanks to laser-operating robot and some water. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

Even the trash is a work of art. A vat of silvery offal from the laser cutting process makes its own mesmerizing pattern. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

Even the trash is a work of art. A vat of silvery offal from the laser cutting process makes its own mesmerizing pattern. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

Through eye-saving safety glass, the laser engraver can be seen working its magic. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

Through eye-saving safety glass, the laser engraver can be seen working its magic. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

An example of custom laser engraving. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

An example of custom laser engraving. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

There is still plenty of manual labor to be done. In the buffer room, two men are remove any traces of imperfections on frames. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

There is still plenty of manual labor to be done. In the buffer room, two men are remove any traces of imperfections on frames. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

In the customer service office, posters remind employees of CEO Gordon Bond's commitment to customer satisfaction. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

In the customer service office, posters remind employees of CEO Gordon Bond’s commitment to customer satisfaction. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

An example of a Bond Arms gun hard at work in the field, yes those are snakes! (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

An example of a Bond Arms gun hard at work in the field, yes those are snakes! (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

Finished product. A combination of new coatings and laser engraving have opened up new options for a custom look. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

Finished product, a combination of new coatings and laser engraving have opened up new options for a custom look. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

The painstaking task of making sure all quality checks are met is proudly in human hands at Bond Arms. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

The painstaking task of making sure all quality checks are met is proudly in human hands at Bond Arms. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)

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