One thing about doing this blog which I occasionally find amusing is the comments from the 'trolls', the disgruntled, mostly spiteful, gun critiques who hide behind alias email address's. Every comment on the site has to be approved and I appreciate all the ones we get. Todays post on the Mauser rifles generated a comment I found particularly amusing, it was from Baron Radu von Goldman and read "theres no rifle in history that can compare to mauser m98 there english thiefs like jeffrey rigby holland&holland purdey westley richard have all stolen german rifles and cartridges since early 1900, now you tell me whats english?" The answer by the way is everything except the action!
So in response, as I cannot respond (to the alias email) on the merits of the Mauser vs Lee Enfield I thought I would take a few pictures of Germany's most respected maker Hartmann & Weiss's products.
As always fabulous guns and rifles, built with pride in Germany on the Boss & Co. over and under system which was of course designed and perfected by the firm in England..
Now you tell me what's English, Baron Radu!
Hartmann & Weiss .375 Bolt Action Take Down, .375 Over Under Rifle and 20g Shotgun.
Hartmann & Weiss .375 Over and Under Rifle and a Boss & Co. .500 3" Over Under.
Hartmann & Weiss 20g Over and Under and a Boss & Co. 28g Over Under.
NB. If you click on an image it will enlarge in a new window.
Edward Cowell on March 11, 2016 at 12:41 pm
One comes across quite a lot of this sort of vitriol on the internet.
Enthusiasts of good firearms, whether hunters, target shooters or collectors, may take pride and pleasure in the innovations and workmanship of their own nation, while according due respect to those of other nations – and find no contradiction in doing so. To a healthy mind set such as this an English rifle built on a Mauser action is not an act of thievery but a very worthy synthesis of influences.
One suspects that Baron Radu may be more xenophobe than rifleman, and that his experience of firearms may begin, and end, with a computer screen. If he does shoot, then his views are all the more disappointing.
I am not sure in what light the Lee Enfield was introduced to this scrap. I own two, and they are tremendously good rifles. But if anyone wants to use their supposed shortcomings as a stick with which to hit the English, it should be observed that we only brought the action to its ultimate state of refinement – it was originally designed by an American.
All the best
Ned
Jonathan Tomlinson on March 11, 2016 at 8:20 am
Thank goodness for the “dishonesty” [sic] of Jeffry, Rigby, H&H, Purdey and Westley Richards and their (mis)appropriation of German technology which would clearly have left us bereft of the Mauser 98 and such fine cartridges as the .375 H&H, .404; .416 Rigby; .425 WR – the .400’s; .450’s et al through to that wonderful Germanic of rounds, the .600 Jeffery, need I go on and heap more shame on the English guntrade of old!!!
Jonathan
Larry on March 11, 2016 at 1:18 pm
It is especially true with the younger generation in that it’s quite easy to be a “keyboard warrior” and, as you said, hide behind an email address and possibly a pen-name. There’s still something said about opinions that are stated face-to-face and most will not do so these days.
I think the Germans have a lot to be recognized for. Having lived there for some time, I can say that charm is not one of them! But machinists and engineers they are. It’s quite easy to spot these German guns on the rack as they have, regardless of embellishment, and very Germanic look and feel.
Having said that, H&W have always put forth very nice guns. They just don’t have the “look” or the “feel” of a well-built English gun.
Edward Cowell on March 11, 2016 at 2:08 pm
ps.
I know I should have said ‘naturalised American’, but the point still stands.
Ned
Radu Baron Von G. on March 12, 2016 at 1:55 am
The only good thing about this ‘Baron Radu’ clone and his slander is the fact that it has enticed Simon to post yet another outstanding example of knowledge and magnificent images, which I am ever hungry for. I wish the keepers of this blog and the readers nothing but the best and send them my most honest greetings and sympathy for what they have brought to the table. I cannot say the same for the ingrate that has created this situation.
Rule Britannia,
Radu