Such markings were first demanded by the British Merchandise Marks Act of 1887, which required foreign goods to be clearly marked as to country of origin. Meant to denounce "cheap" German products as being "inferior" to British ones, it quickly turned around to be accepted as a mark of quality in the world market. So Germans proudly apply "Made in Germany" or short "Germany" to their guns, scopes and other wares to show those are not made in Italy, Japan, China or elsewhere. F.i. the early Weatherby MkV rifles made by Sauer & Sohn, Eckernförde, during the 1960s and 70s, of course marked "Made in Germany" in a hidden place, usually go for a premium above newer "Made in Japan" examples.