Historic Gunsmith Sets up Shop at Belvoir’s Engine Yard

One of the country’s oldest gunmakers with a proud legacy stretching back three centuries has set up shop in the beautifully restored Victorian Engine Yard retail village, situated opposite the main entrance to Belvoir Castle.

Since its birth in 1723, Rowland Watson Gunmakers has been at the forefront of the Birmingham gunmaking industry. Now new owner Mark Knezevic is reviving the historic company and hopes to preserve the artisan trade of gunmaking with the opening of his new outlet and workshop at the Engine Yard.

Located on the Leicestershire country estate renowned for its country pursuits, Rowland Watson Gunsmiths is now welcoming visitors and offers a selection of quality brands of traditional outdoor country clothing from tweed jackets and moleskins to hunting boots, as well as all the essentials for a sporting shoot from gloves and socks to glasses and leather bags.

There is also a repair, renovation and maintenance service and even full restorations of all guns, rifles and cases. In time, Mark hopes to take on an apprentice and train them to be able to work in the gunmaking trade.

Mark said: “This is an exciting time for this business. Belvoir Estate is renowned for its shoots, so there really is no better place for us to be. I’m very proud to be continuing the Rowland Watson legacy and want to do all I can to preserve this artisan trade and keep traditional gunmaking skills alive. I’m also very proud to be making our home at Belvoir Castle with the support of the Duchess of Rutland.”

Housed in the Engine Cottage in the estate’s artisan shopping village, The Engine Yard, the shop is beautifully fitted out with handmade display cabinets made by Mark himself and is a fascinating place to visit.

Record books carry the history of guns purchased stretching back hundreds of years and come in useful for the enquiries received from owners all over the world wishing to trace the history of their antique pieces.

Rowland Watson Gunmakers is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm in the closed season (1 Feb to 12 August) and Monday to Saturday during the open season ( 12 August-1 February) with out of hours appointments available upon request. Contact the shop on 01476 879177.