All its components were mentioned in one or both of those articles. I’m guessing it was put together in the mid-1970s, because the 1976 Gun Digest had articles on both the 6.5 x 55mm round (“The 6.5 x 55- An Old Swede”) and lightweight rifles in its power and weight class for mountain hunting (“The Practical Light Sporter”). Fajen Premier Grade Monte Carlo stock, Williams irons, and a Bushnell Custom 3x-9x in Weaver steel rings and mounts. “When a craftsman says farewell to something that has been a part of their life for so long, mixed emotions are inevitable.I have a sporterized M96/38 I bought for $165 about 25 years ago. “When a VO Vapen rifle is finally placed in the hands of its rightful owner, is not a straightforwardly joyous occasion for our master gunsmith,” Ulf points out. A pair of VO Vapen rifles show the beautiful polished walnut root of their handcrafted stocks. It is difficult to describe how proud we are having succeeded.”Īlmost as difficult, perhaps, as letting go of one of their creations once the gunmaking process is complete and the client takes possession. Tackling such an ambitious project “at this point in our history is actually close to madness…. “This has not been done in Sweden since the 1960s,” Ulf notes.
On another front VO Vapen plans to finally make a foray into the North American market later this year, with the launch of an accessories collection and the design of a brand new hunting rifle, the technical details of which are a closely guarded secret. “Once delivered we never build the design again,” Ulf says. Should you wish, and have the means to finance it, VO Vapen will develop unique rifle parts using rare materials such as gemstones and precious metals, and will also come up with entirely new engraving techniques to ensure your gun is truly one of a kind. One of the world’s most expensive rifles, it’s part of the VO One of One series, completely custom weapons of exceptional beauty and craftsmanship, ranging in price from $300,000 more than $800,000. That certainly describes the VO Big Five Edition rifles with gold inlays designed as a tribute to Ernest Hemingway and the “big five” game animals (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant) and the VO Falcon Rifle, designed to pay homage to hunting with falcons, a strong tradition in the Middle East. The engravings for the latter took more thank six months just to research, and the gun features bespoke parts crafted of Damascus steel. Comfortable, ergonomic and hard wearing, yet extremely beautiful and truly unique.” After 40 years of fine-tuning we know we can offer a product that is perfect in its construction, finish, and balance. “Each day we work hard to find the exact balance in every part of the weapon and the tolerance of every function…. We constantly search for the best material and struggle to achieve the finest finish possible.” Incredibly intricate custom engraving, inlaid gold and precious stones are just some of the ways VO Vapen makes its guns exclusive and expensive. With a production that is totally tailor-made and in-house we can challenge ourselves in every process, every little screw or surface is treated with the same precision. “We will not rest until every single detail is perfect - every time. “The amount of time that put into our rifles, where every detail is handcrafted, is something we believe is unique in the world,” Ulf tells Maxim. Two hunters return from a day’s sport in the Swedish countryside.Īll VO Vapen rifles are available with the company’s patented TakeDown system, allowing the owner to use several different calibers on the same rifle. The stocks are made of the finest walnut root, hand-selected and meticulously prepared by Olsson and his son Ulf, also a gunsmith. Gold and jewels adorn their most precious creations, while the engraving work is of startling elegance. A VO Vapen rifle beautifully fitted to its case.įounded in 1977 by master gunsmith Viggo Olsson, VO Vapen’s annual production is limited to a handful of rifles of the highest possible quality, with a focus on exclusive collections, limited editions and unique tailor-made weapons for the most demanding of customers.