Martin Hagn falling block .500 NE Rifle.

27 October 2019, 23:56

After a two and a half year wait, my single shot has been delivered. It is a .500 Nitro Express. It weighs 12 pounds five ounces. It has a 26" barrel, and a stock length of 15.25". Martin sent the action off to Hartmann & Weiss of Hamburg, Germany to be engraved by their scroll engraving specialist, Heinz Funk, (who, by the way, is 83 years old). The rifle was a long time in coming, but I couldn't be happier. A few photos follow. Cheers. Chip.

28 October 2019, 00:53

mdstewart

Now that’s a beauty. Hope it shoots as good as it looks. Congrats.

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28 October 2019, 05:04

Todd Williams

Very very nice.

28 October 2019, 07:23

marley7x57

It looks like it was well worth the wait!

28 October 2019, 09:00

Beretta682E

Wow just wow.

What a beauty.

Mike

28 October 2019, 18:44

Bill/Oregon

What Mike said. Hope it meets all expectations at the range and in the field!

28 October 2019, 21:59

degoins

Gorgeous!!

28 October 2019, 22:52

CHIPB

Thanks, everyone, for the kind comments.

01 November 2019, 20:38

marley7x57

Was the lever reshaped on the action? Oh, any idea as to when the action was built and was it built by Hagn or Hartmann & Weiss?

02 November 2019, 05:55

Redstone

Very elegant! Nice weight for a great caliber as well.
- Mike

02 November 2019, 07:54

CHIPB

quote:
Originally posted by marley7x57:
Was the lever reshaped on the action? Oh, any idea as to when the action was built and was it built by Hagn or Hartmann & Weiss?

Interesting question, marley7x57. The action was made by Martin Hagn. I believe he makes most of the actions that H & W use for their falling block rifles. As far as the reshaping of the lever....no, I do not believe that it has been reshaped. I checked out some of Martin's other rifles on line and noted that some of the levers have slightly different profiles. Since Martin makes actions in three or four different sizes, there may be some variation there. I do not know that date of manufacture of my particular action, but I will ask Martin, and will advise you when he responds. Cheers. Chip.

03 November 2019, 07:28

CHIPB

quote:
Originally posted by marley7x57:
Was the lever reshaped on the action? Oh, any idea as to when the action was built and was it built by Hagn or Hartmann & Weiss?

marley7x57: Below is Martin's response to my inquiry. I learned something here. Thanks for your interest. Cheers. Chip.

Hallo Chip, I pre made your and 50 more actions already in 1980 ! On demand ,maybe only one a year I then finished one after the other as needed! Yours I installed parts and completed when you ordered the Rifle. The lever is now the standard design also since 1980 .i wanted to give it a more farquarson look ! The old lever lookt too Germanic I was told ! It loot like grandmas dipperhook I was told ! I was told people are English nuts ,not German ! Earl Bridges from the Colorado gunsmith school mentioned that all to me ! But sometimes some European customer wants the dipper handle type ! Best. Martin

04 November 2019, 19:25

shootaway

Nice rifle Chip.I like the wood, shape of the stock and the engraving.A fine specimen representing the highest of craftsmanship.What brand of barrel did you choose and do you have a hunt planned for it?

05 November 2019, 04:32

CHIPB

quote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
Nice rifle Chip.I like the wood, shape of the stock and the engraving.A fine specimen representing the highest of craftsmanship.What brand of barrel did you choose and do you have a hunt planned for it?

Thanks, George, for the comments. I deferred to Martin on the choice of barrel maker. Here is his response to my questions:

I ordered barrel from Ron Smith,a cut rifled barrel. ! He is Canada’s Best . I had him decide the twist to know he will take the correct one ! I think to remember it was 1 in 15 . Tel . 403-631-2405.
Fax 403-631-2404 Martin
Sent from my iPad. I tried,but no luck . Let me know if I should try again . Martin

I've got no hunts planned at this time. Partly due to the fact that I'm building a new house down in Tucson, Az. As you know, the rule of thumb on this is that they take twice as long to complete, and cost twice as much as you originally planned. I'm waiting for the dust to settle on my project before I commit to any additional hunts.

By the way, George, will you be going to Reno this year for SCI? If so, I'll buy you a beer or whatever. Cheers. Chip.

07 November 2019, 00:21

shootaway

quote:
Originally posted by CHIPB:
quote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
Nice rifle Chip.I like the wood, shape of the stock and the engraving.A fine specimen representing the highest of craftsmanship.What brand of barrel did you choose and do you have a hunt planned for it?

Thanks, George, for the comments. I deferred to Martin on the choice of barrel maker. Here is his response to my questions:

I ordered barrel from Ron Smith,a cut rifled barrel. ! He is Canada’s Best . I had him decide the twist to know he will take the correct one ! I think to remember it was 1 in 15 . Tel . 403-631-2405.
Fax 403-631-2404 Martin
Sent from my iPad. I tried,but no luck . Let me know if I should try again . Martin

I've got no hunts planned at this time. Partly due to the fact that I'm building a new house down in Tucson, Az. As you know, the rule of thumb on this is that they take twice as long to complete, and cost twice as much as you originally planned. I'm waiting for the dust to settle on my project before I commit to any additional hunts.

By the way, George, will you be going to Reno this year for SCI? If so, I'll buy you a beer or whatever. Cheers. Chip.

I have not heard of Ron Smith but I have now.
I would like to have a beer over gun talk but it will have to wait until next time.It looks like I will be going to Dallas instead.

14 November 2019, 03:23

boom stick

That rifle is sublime. Your taste is impeccable.
The only thing I would want different for myself is a case color hardening.

15 November 2019, 06:56

CHIPB

quote:
Originally posted by boom stick:
That rifle is sublime. Your taste is impeccable.
The only thing I would want different for myself is a case color hardening.

Hello, boom stick. Funny you should mention the case color hardening. Martin Hagn had the same suggestion for me when the action was still in Germany with Hartmann & Weiss. I was so mesmerized with Herr Heinz Funk's scroll work that I thought it would be overly muted by the case coloring. Hence, I opted for the coin finish. My pictures do not do it justice....it is intricate!! Cheers. Chip.

11 December 2019, 23:29

marley7x57

Any range reports as to accuracy, function, and recoil?

12 December 2019, 01:15

boom stick

I get it. The scrolling is sublime. The dark colored barrel just begs for case color on the action. The most important thing is how you feel about it and it seems you are rightly tickled pink about it. Enjoy!

quote:
Originally posted by CHIPB:
quote:
Originally posted by boom stick:
That rifle is sublime. Your taste is impeccable.
The only thing I would want different for myself is a case color hardening.

Hello, boom stick. Funny you should mention the case color hardening. Martin Hagn had the same suggestion for me when the action was still in Germany with Hartmann & Weiss. I was so mesmerized with Herr Heinz Funk's scroll work that I thought it would be overly muted by the case coloring. Hence, I opted for the coin finish. My pictures do not do it justice....it is intricate!! Cheers. Chip.