Historic Arms Preservation Society 1930-1998 Kit Ravenshear-Master Gunsmith |
Kit Ravenshear was born in Surrey, England in 1930. He began working on guns and restored his first firearm, a boxlock pistol, at age 13. The interest followed him through life. As an adult, Kit was a 2nd Lt (left-ten-nant in the Army) with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. He later served as the Weapons Training Officer in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlander Regiment. After discharge, he served as a police officer in Suffolk and returned to Scotland to work as a salesman. Throughout this period, he also served as a part time gunsmith until 1962, when he acquired Normans of Framlingham, an old gun business. By 1963, he was admitted into the ranks of Master Gunmaker. Immigrating to Canada in 1971, he settled in Pennsylvannia in 1973. Kit Ravenshear authored several "how-to" booklets for aspiring blackpowder gunsmiths. We have them available for purchase. They are also available from Dixie Gun Works, Track of the Wolf, The Rifle Shoppe, Dixon's Muzzle Loading Shop, and other black powder suttlers NOTICE: Kit's Widow Margaret has a black powder gun that Kit hand-crafted from scratch which she will be putting up for bid shortly. This is an absolutely stunning recreations of a circa 1812 weaponsthat, of course, actually works. The starting price of this true craftman's work will be sold to the highest bidder. In the next few weeks photos will be posted on this site. For more information contact Margaret at pegravenshear@yahoo.com. The price will begin at $2,500 and arrangements will have to be made for pickup or by shipment to the winning bidder. |