IMHO I'm not sure that the difference between a 30-06 and a short magnum is really comparable to that between an 8-bore paradox and a NE rifle. Neither is choosing one style of bolt action over another.

It is a perfectly valid point that the original owner buying this paradox may have done so out of familiarity or preference for a time-proven technology, but that is not disimilar to the hunter who chooses a bow or muzzloader over a rifle out of choice rather than necessity.

Yes it is difficult to put the time-frame into proper perspective today, except for the fact that most of Europe had seen alot of conflict and the rapid development of military bolt action rifles even prior to WW1. In 1925, after WW1, I am pretty sure that most able bodied men in Europe would have been familiar with the idea that rifle technology had already moved on.

All in all though, none of this alters the fact that the rifle was still most probably intended for hunting.......