I found this brief history of Blaser to share with friends here. I hope you enjoy reading it.

1957
The gunsmith Horst Blaser made his vision reality through the development of a light and - above all - safe over & under rifle/shotgun combination. Thus, the Blaser "Diplomat" was born. Since his own capacities were not sufficient, many of the main components were manufactured in Ferlach/Austria, giving the Diplomat the "Ferlach Note", such as the barrels being completely soldered together up to the monoblock.

New single lock, with a manual cocking lever, gave the rifle the maximum safety typical of Blaser rifles. A classic claw mount was also used. The Diplomat was sold with great success through the rising hunting goods supplier Frankonia.

1960
Horst Blaser redesigned the over & under rifle/shotgun combination "Diplomat", so that he could completely finish the production of the barrels himself - excluding making the barrel bore.

Hence the model 60 with a single lockup-wedge was produced. This featured the barrels being soldered from the end of the forearm to the muzzle.

The Blaser 60 was the first German hunting rifle to be manufactured by machines. This resulted in a very high precision in the production series.

1963
Horst Blaser developed the Model 60 further to create the ES 63. "ES" stands for "Einschloss" which means "single lock". The receiver and monoblock were enlarged to allow for a wider range of calibers.

The ES63 was offered with 12-gauge shotgun barrel & rifle calibers ranging from .22 lfb to 5.6 x 52 R.

1965
Horst Blaser developed his own scope mount, the "Blaser Tip mount".

From 1965, this was the mount chosen for the ES 63.

1967
The Blaser "Bockbhsflinte" (O&U rifle/shotgun combination) was further developed. The following model, the ES 67, offered again a wider range of calibers - up to 9.3 x 74 R.

1970
The model range took another step forward with the ES 70, a detachable version of the BBF ES 67.

This was the first time it was possible to offer interchangeable barrels, giving the hunter the opportunity to fit different calibers in one rifle.

At this stage the Blaser reputation was also being established in other countries. The first catalog was printed in English.

1971
Blaser introduced a new development, the K71 single shot rifle.

The safety principle was also followed with this model, with the fitting of a manual cocking device.

This was the first rifle to be made without a set trigger. A fine direct pull trigger was fitted, which again took the safety of the hunter to the next level.

The gunsmithery of Horst Blaser had by this stage expanded to an enterprise of considerable size, employing approximately 40 workers. A new factory was erected in Isny where the production commenced.

1975
The new Blaser B75 "Bergstutzen" (over & under double rifle featuring two different calibers) was introduced based, on the earlier BBF ES 70.

Apart from the barrel selector which allows the top barrel to be selected when using the set trigger, the B75 system is identical to the ES 700. This allows a combination barrel to be inserted. Thus introducing the modular system.

The top rifle barrel is inserted in a carrying tube which can be regulated at the muzzle. This renderss the complex soldering of the barrels required for regulating unnecessary.

The Blaser pivot mount (BSM) became the most popular mount in German speaking countries due to its precision and simple handling.

Almost all Blaser rifles were fitted with the BSM, with some other rifle manufacturers also using it. Later came a further development, the Blaser bridge pivot mount (BBSM). This mount served for 20 years in the industry (until 1995) - when the Blaser scope mount for all Blaser models was released. The era of the pivot mount then came to an end, although individual pieces are still produced today.

1977
The Blaser single shot rifle was modernized: with the new model K 77. This is where the tilting block lock first came into use. This lock, with its parallel fitting surfaces proved ito be extremely strong, reliable and above all, precise. This block construction is still used in today's models K 95, D 99 and S 2.

The versatility and accuracy made the K 77 one of the most successful single shot rifles in the world.

In the late 80 the variants K 77 "Ultra light" and K 77 "All-weather" (with nickeled barrels) were introduced. In 1995 the following model K 95 replaced the K 77, although the basic design was only marginally changed.

Around this time, CNC technology was introduced. From the beginning the concept was designed for these machines, which gave the possibility of improving the manufacture of the rifles by achieving tighter tolerances on the parts produced. Blaser is one of the first rifle manufacturers to begin making parts using CNC machines.

1981
The Blaser "O&U Double Rifle" was released into the market. Still in Blaser style, the new over & under double is with manual cocking system, double lock and single set trigger. The B 810 has, like the K 77, a tilting lock block and is also prepared for Magnum calibers.

1982
The Blaser falling block rifle BL 820 became part of the series. This single shot rifle with vertical block assembly and manual cocking system had a stainless steel receiver and the barrel was set inside an octagonal carrier tube with a rail to the end of the forearm.

In 1990, after 8 successful years, it was decided that due to the extremely complicated production and therefore high price, the model would no longer be manufactured. The Blaser BL 820 is a rarity and still fetches attractive prices on the second hand market.

1983
The first bolt action rifle from Blaser was introduced: the SR 830.

Unlike other bolt action rifles on the market, the SR 830 was not a derivative of existing military-style designs. The SR 830 iwas purely developed for hunting. Designed by hunters for hunters!

With its short action, manual cocking and simple take down features, it captures considerable interest worldwide.

The SR 830 barrel is set inside an octagonal carrier tube with a rail to the end of the forearm, a set trigger and a magazine which will hold 2 rounds plus one in the chamber.

The exciting construction of the SR 830 captured the attention of a successful businessman and passionate hunter: Gerhard Blenk. He contacted Horst Blaser with the hope of importing the SR 830 to the USA. The US model was named "Blaser Ultimate" and in 1986 the R 84. This version with self cocking system and conventional safety feature was eventually be sold in America.

1985
Horst Blaser decided to sell his business (approximately 60 employees) to Gerhard Blenk. At the end of 1985/86 Blenk became the new owner of Blaser Jagdwaffen.

Over the next 15 years Gerhard Blenk led Blaser to become Germany's number 1 hunting rifle manufacturer. During this time the enterprise experienced its largest period of growth, with sales figures increasing constantly and the number of employees having more than doubled. The new factory in Isny is continually being extended as the company continues to grow.

In 1985 the model SR 830 was changed slightly, with the carrier tube being discarded.

1986
The new Large Caliber - Bergstutzen GB 860 is brought into the market.

As descendant from the B 810 this rifle has a tilting block and digests Magnum calibers up to .375 H&H Mag. without problems. A manual cocking system and Single lock is fitted. The GB 860 was built until 1995.

1988
Gerhard Blenk, together with Head of R&D Meinrad Zeh, developed a totally new single lock action, the "SLK" system, which was applied to the combination models. The BBF 700/88 and the BS 750/88 replaced the models ES 700 and B 75. Through the newly designed system, the new fine trigger made the set trigger redundant.

The series production of the non-detachable ES 67 ceased and the new Blaser "Bockdrilling" (over & under rifle/shotgun combination with additional small caliber rifle barrel on the side) BD 880 was released. This model was fitted with the SLK system, featuring a fine trigger and manual cocking device.

The small caliber rifle barrel in .22 Hornet can be adjusted at the muzzle and the barrel selector is ergonomically positioned directly beside the trigger.

Because of its light weight, versatility and universal practicality the BD 880 was one of the most popular district rifles. The model was built until 1999 when the D 99 Duo replaced it.

The Blaser bolt action rifle SR 850 is equipped with countless innovations: The set trigger is replaced by fine triggers, the characteristics "cocking hammer" was no longer integrated.

Its successor the SR 850/88 was cocked through pushing forward the bolt handle.

1990
Because of the soaring sales of both the bolt action and combination rifles, Blaser's production sources were straining. To compensate this the delivery times were extended. Plans were made to extend the factory and to reduce the amount of models offered in order to reduce delivery times.

Unfortunately the production of the BL 820 and the B 810 ceased.

1992
Blaser works together with RWS to develop the .30 R Blaser. This cartridge is more than a .30-06 with a rim: The increased performance along with high precision quickly made this caliber very popular. Soon other manufacturers started to produce this caliber.

1993
Gerhard Blenk and the Head of R & D, Meinrad Zeh, had for some time been working on a revolutionary concept designed for modern day hunting.

Blenk, an experienced hunter worldwide, was to define the exact requirements and Zeh as master tool maker was to convert these ideas into reality through his ingenious knowledge of weapon technology. The two complemented each other perfectly. In 1989 a new tool, CAD system, was imported which opened up new possibilities.

Blenk and Zeh took their time on the development: The new bolt action rifle should not be released before every detail was perfected. Every part of the design was questioned. The rifle was to be launched at IWA in 1992 under the title SR 92, but due to extensive prototype tests, which led to new ideas, improvements and developments, the release was postponed for one year.

In March 1993 at the IWA show in Nnberg the Blaser R 93 is introduced to the world.

1995
Many of the new technologies, such as the corrosion-protected barrel finish and the sear-free trigger used with the R93 were to transferred to other models. A new scope mount that set a new standard in QD scope-mount design, was to developed.

The Blaser BBF 700/88 was replaced by the Blaser BBF 95 and the B 750/88 replaced by the BS 95. With free floating barrels, the problem of "climbing" groupings was eliminated.

The barrels were also produced to optimize point-of-impact regulation.

The large caliber GB 860 was removed from the program as the new BS took off.

The single shot K 77 was completely revised, although the tilting lock block remained. The subsequent model was named K 95.

1996
Blaser was also active in the optic sector: The first "hit point" red dot scope is released. It is a robust and low-priced red dot scope that Blaser had manufactured in Japan.

1997
Blaser joined forces with the Swiss enterprise SIG, a manufacturer of assault rifles and the parent company of the firms Sauer and H鄝merli. Gerhard Blenk realized that this partnership would be very beneficial for Blaser as it would guarantee the critical supply of barrels as Sauer in Eckernf顤de and SIG in Neuhausen had their own high-tech barrel fabrication. Gerhard Blenk remained the Managing Director and single owner of Blaser.

The newly-developed BB with double lock system was not compatible with the single lock concept, so the construction of the Sauer 97 was introduced into the market, although the rifle was built in Isny. The Sauer 97 also had manual cocking and the ability to fit interchangeable barrels from the Blaser 95 as rifle/shotgun combination and double rifle. Later the rifle was integrated into the Blaser program as the Blaser 97.

The new CDP bullet developed, manufactured and loaded by SM in Thun (today joined with RUAG), gave Blaser the opportunity to enter into ammunition distribution with its own brand name. Blaser participated in the determination of the loading parameters. The new ammunition was offered in over 20 different calibers.

1998
In the meantime the production and engineering technology progressed further and Blaser kept up with the pace of modern technologies, such as laser welding and other laser technologies, EDM, both in wire and stamp, new materials, metallurgical procedures, surface treatments, latest synthetic technology, integrated administrative software (PPS/ERP) and 3D CAD. Blaser was always a market leader.

1999
The new Blaser D 99 was released causing a commotion because of its unconventional barrel arrangement. But when examined more closely it is evident that the D 99 offers a revolutionary design for this type of gun, such as the free floating barrels, the tilting block lock and the scope mount. Like the other models, the D 99 has the double lock system, manual cocking and fine triggers. The barrel selector is found beside the trigger like that of the BD 880.

The Blaser Drilling is the first model that was given the steel-grey surface finish on the receiver. In the following years this form of anodizing was to replace the former nickel coating on all Blaser models with aluminium actions.

2000
This was a turbulent year for Blaser. After almost 15 fantastic years of success, Gerhard Blenk decided to remove himself from the industry to concentrate on his own projects and above all dedicate some time to hunting. He resigned as Managing Director and sold the company to SIG.

Meinrad Zeh and Gerhard Kaufmann step in to take over as Managing Directors. Zeh is responsible for production and development and Kaufmann for sales and marketing. Naturally, both are avid hunters.

At IWA in March 2000 the D 99 Duo was introduced, a version of the Blaser Drilling with 2 rifle barrels. The system is identical to that of the D 99, therefore allowing the possibility of extra barrels to be fitted.

Around the middle of the year, the directors of SIG decided to separate from the entire weapons division and concentrate on the core business of packaging technology.

The search was on for a buyer. Towards the end of the year, the private entrepreneurs and passionate hunters Michael Le and Thomas Ortmeier purchased the companies Blaser, Sauer, H鄝merli, Sigarms USA and the newly-founded Swiss Arms Neuhausen (SAN), all remaining subsidiaries with separate identities complementing each other.

2001
The Blaser D 99 Trio, a logical development of the D 99 concept, was released.

Together with Schmidt & Bender, Blaser developed a new red dot scope with a larger vision field, stronger red dot, better quality and longer battery life. The "hit point pro", manufactured by Schmidt & Bender, was introduced at IWA 2001 and replaced the "hit point".

At the end of the year Kaufmann left the position of Managing Director.

Meinrad Zeh found he had no time to design and develop as Managing Director and thus returned to that what he enjoyed most, as Head of R & D of Blaser.

Bernhard Kn鐽el, a qualified gunsmith and business economist took the role as Managing Director. Kn鐽el has a vast knowledge of the industry and is himself a passionate hunter.

2002
The first Blaser side-by-side double rifle was launched.

The model S 2 based on the system from the D 99 which also features the tilting block lock. Both barrels are free floating in carrier tubes and can be adjusted at the muzzle.

2003
Due to the hunting experience of all Blaser staff, new ideas began to emerge. "Blaser Active Outfits", the Blaser clothing label, was launched.

At IWA in Nnberg the first "Offspring" of the S2 is presented, The S2 Safari.

The extremely strong tilting block lock allows us to offer powerful calibers up to .500 N.E. (3")! The stock and forearm design and the trigger pulls are arranged accordingly to accommodate the Safari model.

10 years after the launch of the R 93 straight-pull bolt action rifle, the 100 000th rifle made was presented at the IWA show. This anniversary rifle is the most valuable Blaser rifle of all time, with complex engraving.

2004
After a long period of development, the shotgun F3 was presented to the IWA 2004. The F3 marked a big step forward in the history of shotgun construction as well as in the history of Blaser. The F3 was the first shotgun being designed and produced in Isny. Groundbreaking innovations concerning both the technology, the modular system and ergonomics, as well as the handling and shooting characteristics convinced marksmen, hunters and connoisseurs worldwide. John Bidwell from England won the F.I.T.A.S.C. World Championship with the Blaser F3.

The Blaser Active Outfits collection was enhanced to a complete apparel line and featured not only well thought out functional hunting wear, but also elegant leisure wear, shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts and jeans for both hunters and huntresses. The concise Argali label became a popular, recognizable characteristic of the professional, sporty, elegant hunting and leisure outfits. The first catalog was released.

In the range of bolt action rifles, the R 93 Professional was presented. Featuring a modern, dark green synthetic stock, it is durable and sturdy as well as harmonic in design. On the pistol grip and forearm it is equipped with elastic, anthracite inlays, ensuring a safe grip.

2005
Both the rifle/accessory and apparel line were extended. The elegant R 93 Stutzen as well as the new B 97 Classic over and under rifle, featuring soldered barrels were released. Thus, Blaser answered the demands of many hunters locally and globally, preferring more traditional over and under rifles for drive hunts.

The Active Outfits collection is elegantly and reasonably rounded off by valuable leather trousers and a camo line.

Under the premise "accurate shooting, correct hunting" a Blaser DVD and Video production was released imparting helpful knowledge of accurate rifle shooting.

One thing that I find very telling is that Blaser always seemed to keep pace with the latest manufacturing machinery and methods.

And whether one likes the style of thier guns or not they have maintained a reputation for quality and fit and finish.

Contrast this with the perception of many American manufacturers that the overall quality and fit and finish has been in steady decline.

I think that it's sad that many hold up older guns(pre64 and pre WW2) as the good old days.

When in fact with the progress made in manufacturing methods, things should have only gotten better. But I guess there are compromises one makes when you are manufacturing to hit a price point .

Innovation and quality! Meanwhile in the States, we have Winchester and Remington!
Peter.