Kettners Germany (kettner.de) has some good gun deals on the web including a couple of 404 Jeffrey rifles.

The listing of so many guns may pertain to rumours that Kettners will close up shop in Germany on July 15 or be taken over by the US firm Cabelas.

VBR,


Ted Gorsline

Interesting Ted, thanks for the info. Had one nearby but they did a reorg and closed a lot of them so I haven't been to a Kettners in years now, although occassionally use their catalog to order. If Cabela's takes over, watch out Frankonia. A bit of competition never hurt anyone, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

quote:

Originally posted by Ted Gorsline:
Kettners Germany (kettner.de) has some good gun deals on the web including a couple of 404 Jeffrey rifles.

The listing of so many guns may pertain to rumours that Kettners will close up shop in Germany on July 15 or be taken over by the US firm Cabelas.

VBR,

Ted Gorsline

Ted, I don't think Kettner is about to be taken over by Cabelas. Sadly, that is probably a rumour, although it would be great to have Cabelas present in Europe (Frankonia sells a few Cabelas items here).

Kettner is currently being reorganized. As you may remember, Kettner found itself in serious trouble a couple of years back. That situation led to Kettner being taken over and new management installed - I believe the owners are either present or past owners of Blaser/Mauser/Swiss Arms. It is tempting to speculate (and this is nothing but speculation on my part), that the new management took a hard look at the business model as well as options for the future. What we have heard here in Europe, is that Kettner will
1) move its headquarters from Cologne to Austria,
2) the mail order business will be run from Austria in the future, and that
3) Kettner shops will be transformed into franchises with a greater amount of autonomy for the franchise holders.

I believe a lot of the current "sales" activity from Kettner (including sale of rifles??), has to do with the impending move to Austria and the other changes outlined above.

Needless to say, it is always difficult to speculate on how a company will look, or what type of services it will offer after a shake-up like this one. I guess we will have to wait and see...

- mike

I noticed in Dortmund that the people formerly in charge of safari booking for Kettners in Germany had already left Kettners and formed a new company. I also heard from one of their booking agents that booking end of things will close in their German stores on July 15.

Many years ago I hunted with Madam and Bernard Effli who owned Kettner's France. He was fairly independant of the main company even in those days. Later I heard he had sold it. He is a very nice man.

I think Kettners Austria is alread fairly autonomous. Anyhow - wait and see.

VBR,


Ted Gorsline

Ted, I took a look at the site you mentioned (I am assuming the link below is right one):

http://www.kettner.de/waffen.pdf

I notice they have 98 Mausers in 404 Jeffery at three different stores: Berlin, Hemer, Gottingen. Since I don't speak a word of German I may have this all wrong. Is it possible to tell from their web site just which 98 actions were used? If they are in three different stores I am also guessing that a run of 404's was made. Have you seen one of these rifles? From the site, is it possible to get more information? Especially for someone who doesn't speak a word of German? Perhaps the 404 is regaining some interest in Europe, which is encouraging. It might be interesting to get this thread onto the big bore forum. Lastly, I notice also a .373 H&H on a Vector action. Are these good rifles? Sorry for all the questions but not speaking the language is limiting.

Dear Wink,

I saw a 404 at Dortmund. It was a slightly modified Zastava with cosmetic changes but I forget exayctly what the changes were. Same stock, trigger and safety. Likely Lothar Walther barrel with Rechnagle sights and barrel band. Don't know if it holds two or three in magazine.

I have seen the Vector action in their cataloge and it seems to me that it was a push feed but I could be wrong there too. Don't have a catalogue handy.

VBR,


Ted

Kettner's owned by Cabelas!!! Hipocracy!!! Having worked for several companies that sell products to Cabelas I have the general opinion that they mainly sell Chinese junk and that they copy from successful brands that they once represented.

What is the general opinion of Kettner's product line?

Having been the owner of two Kettner drillings (one a Franz, the other an Ed) it was my dream for years to open up a branch in the USA...you can always dream.

The same people who own Kettner's now also own many of the German gun companies so the recent quality has been very good.

But over the years Frankonia , the other big German gun distributor, was better with their selection of guns.


VBR,


Ted Gorsline