Weihrauch Sport is celebrating 125 years in business! That’s a HUGE achievement for any company, let alone for one that has been manufacturing airguns since the 1930s.
During that time, the company has been run by four generations of Weihrauchs – with the fifth generation entering the family business in 2023.
Above we see – right – Hans (actually Hans-Hermann) Weihrauch, the fourth generation who joined the company in 1982 and still runs it. Left is Felix Weihrauch, his son, the fifth generation and future for the family firm.
We are at an exclusive – by invitation only – event at IWA OutdoorClassics 2024 that was held to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Weihrauch Sport.
Weihrauch used this event to announce three limited edition air rifles, all graced with stunning red and black laminated stocks. These are the “1899 series” to reflect the year the company was founded by Hermann Weihrauch.
Below is the literal product unveiling at the ceremony! Just 600 of the special HW97KT models are being produced, plus 900 special HW50s and 300 HW100Ts. Oh – and just if you’re wondering – serial number one of each series is destined for the Weihrauch factory museum in Mellrichstadt, in the German state of Bavaria.
Benefiting such a significant event, Hans and Felix were joined by a number of major players from the world of business and politics.
Below we see – far left – Peter Ottman, the CEO of NürnbergMesse Group, that’s the company that runs IWA OutdoorClassics (it’s one of the 15 largest exhibition companies in the world).
Next to him and holding the HW100T is Hubert Aiwanger, the Deputy Prime Minister of Bavaria. Hubert is also the Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs and an enthusiastic hunter.
Moving right from Hubert, we have Hans and Felix Weihrauch. The gentleman on the right is Joachim Hermann, the Bavarian State Minister of the Interior and Sport.
Speeches were made by all five gentlemen. There were toasts, too. There was also genuine pleasure and enjoyment among the participants, as you can see from the photographs below.
In fact, this was a multi-lingual event. Hans Weihrauch spoke in German, Felix in English and the two politicians in Bavarian. (German speakers will understand the difference of dialect).
Below, I have labeled a group photograph of the main attendees.
1 Hubert Aiwanger; 2 Hans Weihrauch; 3 Felix Weihrauch; 4 Elke Weihrauch; 5 Joachim Hermann; 6 Thilo Schallenkammer, key man at Weihrauch-Sport; 7 Luisa Weihrauch.
And – of course – there was that 125th birthday cake…
The 125 year history of Weihrauch Sport is described in the special anniversary catalog that has been produced for 2024.
All event invitees received a special Weihrauch bag containing the new catalog, commemorative hat and custom pen dish that reflected the style of the 1899-series laminated stocks. Instant collectables!!!
Actually, I was not the only invitee from the USA. Robert Buchanan from Airguns of Arizona was present too. Here he shows us the 1899 series HW100T.
Below, we finish our coverage with this photograph of Robert and Hans together.
This was a most pleasant, significant and – at times – moving event. I was proud to be present.
Thanks to Weihrauch and here’s to the next 125 years!!!
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