Ron Ehlert -- His Legacy
The passing of Ron Ehlert is loss to all who appreciate fine traditional black powder arms. His artistry and his willingness to teach others will long be remembered. Ron's many fine flintlock firearms will be long treasured as well.
The muzzleloading fraternity lost a talented brother this past month. Ron Ehlert passed quietly in his sleep on January 30, 2007. He was a fixture at Friendship; his booth was a meeting place for all kinds of fanciers of muzzleloading rifle -- builders and owners alike.
Photo: American Pioneer Video (used by permission)
Ron’s skills and knowledge covered many muzzleloading topics. His beautiful powder horns are highly regarded by the most discriminating horn fans. His horn-making class at the Bowling Green Seminar has been very popular and fills early.
Photo: American Pioneer Video (used by permission)
Ron’s special talents for gun building are also shared with others. His gun-building videos provide a way for fellows like me to learn from the best. All of these examples point to the passion Ron had for education. He worked hard within the NMLRA to increase its emphasis on education. In an interview I did with Ron last spring, he said he wanted to see the new NMLRA facilities used continuously for educational purposes.
I always looked forward to sitting down and visiting with Ron each spring and fall shoot. He always had time to chat about various projects, his or mine. I especially enjoyed examining his progress on his current project, which recently was a highly decorated German Yeager. A beautiful example of the highest quality German craftsmanship, it was a work in progress. Each spring and fall shoot Ron would show me his progress since the last shoot. The chisel work on the lock plate and the barrel must be seen to be believed. (Photos of this gun are included below.)
Ron Ehlert’s reputation for excellence is wide spread. An example is the appearance of his work in Three Centuries of Tradition: The Renaissance of Custom Sporting Arms in America by Mark Silver and Wallace Gusler. In the brief biography of Ron, Mark Silver wrote the following:
Ehlert has been a full-time gun-maker for more than twenty years. He is mostly self-taught but did have the opportunity to take a class from the late Lynton McKenzie in engraving at NMLRA-sponsored workshop held at Western Kentucky University. He now teaches at the workshop annually and has been featured in a video on making and decorating powder horns. His interests cover a wide range of styles and materials. Ehlert says that he seeks to “analyze the features found on originals and incorporate improvements where necessary. I find it very fulfilling to be able to carry on a beautiful art form.” Within in the last several years his interests have expanded to include nineteenth century American single-shot cartridge rifles. (Three Centuries of Tradition: The Renaissance of Custom Sporting Arms in America by Mark Silver and Wallace Gusler. Photo: American Pioneer Video (used by permission)
For their outstanding book Silver and Gusler selected four examples of Ron’s work. Included are a German Yeager, a Virginia style flintlock, a French and Indian War powder horn, and a powder flask from 16th century Germany. All are beautiful examples of Ron’s talent. Ron’s legacy can be seen, not only in these works of art, but also in his creations which are in the hands of proud owners throughout the country.
BlackPowderMag did an interview with Ron during the Spring Shoot 2006: Ron Ehlert's Interview
Photo: American Pioneer Video (used by permission)
Photo: American Pioneer Video (used by permission)
Photo: American Pioneer Video (used by permission)
Photo: BlackPowderMag.com
Photo: BlackPowderMag.com
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Comments
I've only known Ron for the past three years or so, but his enthusiasm and energy have been an inspiration to me personally as well as all of us who knew him through his participation in the German Gun Collectors Association. He'd already made a flintlock convert of me! God I miss him.
Posted by: Steve Meyer | February 12, 2007 8:32 PM
I served with Ron for 7 years on the Board of the NMLRA. During that time there were instances where we "butted" heads on matters of the NMLRA. Not a lot, but when they did come up they could get rather heated. But the next day I could meet Ron on Commercial Row or wherever and the argument was forgotten. That was our relationship concerning the Association. We were both rather ardent in our love and support for the NMLRA, but we never let that get in the way of friendship.
A lot of good people have done things over the years to make the Education Building a possibility. But I firmly believe that if not for Ron it would not be where it's at today. His constant prodding the Board and his promotion thru various fundraisers have the shell up. Now we have to see that it gets finished. No longer being on the Board I cannot set into motion the things it will take to name that building in memory of Ron. But I can nudge those in position to get it done. He deserves that much for all his hard work.
Posted by: Tim Hamblen | February 12, 2007 10:11 PM
I knew Ron Ehlert from the Black Powder Cartridge Silhouette Game. He was a really good shooter and a top competitor. He was both helpful and friendly to all shooters no matter how far down the ladder your scores were. You might be having a bad day and when Ron walked up and started talking to you, it just seemed to get better. Ron completed a Ballard High Wall Rifle project for me doing the woodwork and engraving on the receiver. When I went to his shop to pick up the rifle, I was in awe. The completed rifle was a quantum leap better than I ever thought it would be! I think of Ron every time I shoot that rifle. It will have a very special meaning now that he is no longer with us. Although I only knew Ron for a few years, he touched my life in a very positive way. He had a high degree of integrity, ingenuity, craftsmanship and patience that I very much admired about him. These memories of him along with the works of art(rifles built and engraving) will be his legacy. I feel priviledged to have know him.
Brooks F. Glover Jr.
Posted by: Brooks F. Glover (posted by L Pletcher) | February 18, 2007 2:05 PM
I'm deeply saddened to hear of Ron's passing. I knew him when he built his first Longrifle. We went to the Log Cabin shop to get parts. With his first rifle he far surpassed anything I had built, and I had been building for a number of years when he came to me for some advice on building. What advice! He was an artist from the start!
God bless and keep him!
Tom LaGoe
Posted by: Tom LaGoe | February 21, 2007 5:13 PM
I MEET RON THIS FALL IN MILLBROOK NY AT THE ORVIS SHOOT. HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND FULL OF KNOWLEDGE, WILLING TO TEACH ANYONE WHO WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN. I WAS ABLE TO SHARE FROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTION A NY MAP HORN FROM THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. WHEN HE SAW IT HE NEARLY CRIED WHILE HOLDING IT. HIS WORDS WERE, THIS IS THE FINEST PIECE OF HISTORY HE HAS EVER HELD IN HIS HANDS AND WANTED TO WRITE A PUBLICATION ON IT AS SOON AS HE RETURNED FROM HIS WINTER HUNT. I ONLY KNEW HIM A SHORT TIME BUT FEEL AS I LOST SOMEONE THAT I HAVE KNOWN A LIFETIME. REST IN PEACE.
Posted by: RON S | March 26, 2007 10:20 PM
I was deeply saddened when I called home during an AMM Territorial encampment in East Texas and learned that Ed Wilde had called and left word with my wife that Ron had passed away. I haven't the words to express the shock and sorrow I felt. Ron had been a friend since 1994 when I ordered my rifle from him. I had visited him in his home on a number of occassions, and we talked periodically on the phone. His talent, humanity, and friendship will be a lasting legacy to his memory. It would truly be fitting that the Education Building at Friendship be named for him and his devotion to the principles of the NMLRA.
Posted by: Jim Bryan | April 27, 2007 11:59 PM