I saw this in the Big Bore Forum, thought it would be appropriate to list it here. I know nothing of the man, just admired his work. I hope it is OK to repost it here.

https://forums.accuratereloadi...4711043/m/5031035672

Thank you for that link Mr. Hughes, I appreciated reading your post and learning more about Martin Hagn. JB

You are very welcome JB. I don't have access to my files at the moment but I wrote a lengthy, two issue article with all I knew about Martin Hagn, his action and I wrote disassembly instruction in the now defunct The Accurate Rifle Magazine.The info I included about Martin's background was from that story.

Martin was a mechanical genius, in my and other's opinion but a very humble and approachable man. He would share what he knew with anyone who was interested and he knew a lot. As stated I think his single shot action that he made in at least four different sizes at different times (and a side by side double barrel action)is the finest ever created. I built the finest hunting rifles I ever made on two different sizes of them. Those rifles landed in collections and I've only known of one coming up for resale and it was snapped up by a friend who knew exactly what it was and took it stag hunting in Spain. I'd love to have one myself but those days are over.

The breech block was precisely fit to each action and it slid up and down with no perceptible movement or looseness in any other direction. The lever, link and breech block were fit in the same manner and operated without any hint of slack or slop. The centrally located extractor was genius and has been copied by others. In the photo, the tipping mainspring housing an be seen between the tangs, a simple but perfectly functional solution as was the rotating safety button on top of the tang.

The tang are solid with an integral spacer between them for the most positive stock attachment without flex. The rifle built on this action were at least as accurate as a bolt action if not more IMHO.

A Hagn Small size action with a Ralf Martini integral octagon barrel as recieved. Cal. 6.5x55

A custom rifle built on a Large, or Standard size Hagn action.

My Hagn single shot 30/06. Complete except for metal finish. I feel very fortunate. https://imgur.com/gallery/GetnvUl

Rightfully so, Looks like a great rifle at a very light weight!

Mr. Hughes, unless my eyes are playing tricks, it looks like you did a subtle reshape of the trigger guard/underlever on the Hagn action. I really like the results. To my eyes it's much more attractive than the shape of the factory unit.

Do you mind giving a brief description of how you accomplished this ? Was it a matter of heating and bending, or was there cutting & welding involved?

I hope that the actions Mr. Hagn designed will continue to be produced. It would be a great legacy to leave if the actions are available for many years to come. Hopefully someday I can afford one for myself!

!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by K W Johnston:
Mr. Hughes, unless my eyes are playing tricks, it looks like you did a subtle reshape of the trigger guard/underlever on the Hagn action. I really like the results. To my eyes it's much more attractive than the shape of the factory unit.

Do you mind giving a brief description of how you accomplished this ? Was it a matter of heating and bending, or was there cutting & welding involved?

I hope that the actions Mr. Hagn designed will continue to be produced. It would be a great legacy to leave if the actions are available for many years to come. Hopefully someday I can afford one for myself!

KWJ,
An astute observations~
The barreled action photo is how I received it. The .280 action has the lever slightly shortened, the trigger reshaped, the top rear of the action reshaped to improve the wood to metal transition and the top of the action changed that cannot be seen. I really cannot remember exactly what I did on this project but I did some reshaping on all the Hagn actions I used. It looks like the bow of the lever was opened to make it more rounded and lessen the open space behind the trigger. The trigger slightly flattened to elongate it and get it closer to the bow at the bottom. I probably heated the bow with Oxy/Acet to bend it but am sure I did not weld anything.
Martin' action, made either by him or Ralf Martini needed no improvement. I did subtle reshaping to please my eye and improve the wood to metal transitions as I saw it. Most all changes were accomplished by removing metal with files, some times a chisel and hammer. I did small changes to single shot actions on all my projects
On some projects like High and Low Walls I did major changes like straight grip to pistol grip conversions. Thanks for asking... I have no clue if the actions will continue to be made? It is a dicey proposition trying to earn a living making any custom rifle action.
SDH
This photo of heading up the action shows needle file marks at the upper left action where it joins the wood and the end of the tang filed lower. I often altered the action when final fitting to the stock for more pleasing, to mey eye, lines blending wood to metal.

Other spectacular Hagn actioned rifles I photographed over the years.

The .280 and the three other custom Hagn rifle were all built on the Standard, or later called Large action when Martin was only making one size action. Years later Small, and Mini sizes were offered. I preferred the Small for cartridges up to .30-06.

SDH , your efforts with the triggerguard/underlever on the 280 are a nice improvement. It is noticeably more rounded and... well the other word that comes to mind is "clean". The factory unit isn't bad, it just has a slight egg shape that I don't care for. Its one of those changes that isn't drastic, but enhances the overall flow of the gun. Not trying to be flattering or earn any preference points here...just felt it deserved a complement.

The example fully engraved by Heinz Funk just appears to have a larger triggerguard. It could also be a smaller frame size , but you confirmed they were the same. It must be an optical illusion or just a different style you were going for.

I hate to hear about the passing of Mr. Martin Hagn. Every article or account I've read about him painted the portrait of a skilled Gunmaker and a gentleman. Hopefully his legacy will live on with the continued production of the wonderful actions he designed.

..

Martin Victor Hagn was a quiet icon in the trade who was known worldwide. He preferred living near the wildest country and spent much of his time away from people, mainly hunting. He was a polite and respectful man, a good friend and a stellar inventor/designer. He will be missed by many...

I was often surprised by the depth and breadth of Martin's knowledge and experience. He showed me his methods just as if I had the ability to duplicate them (I do not). He was always welcoming and when he asked me something, I always had the feeling that he knew the answer and was just trying to make me feel like my opinion mattered! His passing is a reminder that a lot of us have passed our "best before" date and the expiry date is coming up faster than we might like. Regards, Bill

Ralf Martini has a few Hagn actioned rifles on his website for sale. They will only become more scarce. I rarely see them come up for sale elsewhere.

Thinking about Martin again, I ran across these photos of another spectacular Hagn actioned rifle, this created by Jerry Fisher with a Ralf Martini integral barrel and engraving by Barry Lee Hands. It was commissioned by my pal the late Tim Crawford and I hunted with Tim using this rifle at his ranch near Roundup, MT. Jerry Fisher also hunted with us.
Another testament to Martin Hagn is the caliber of the craftsmen, and their clients who chose actions of his design to create special single shot hunting rifles.
The caliber of his exceptional rifle is 7x57 one of Tim's favorites.