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VO Guns Debuts the Falcon, World's Most Expensive Rifle, for $820,000

Swedish gun and rifle maker VO Vapen, founded in 1977 by master gunsmith Viggo Olsson, fashions the world's most exclusive handmade hunting rifles. Their newest creation, the VO Falcon Edition (above), is the world's most expensive priced at about $820,000. The VO Falcon Edition is a tribute to the deep rooted traditions of falconry in the Arabian world, covered by beautiful engravings of Peregrine and Saker falcons among other luxurious finishes.

The production of VO rifles is limited to a very small number of examples each year. The company holds a royal appointment to H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, and has found great success with ultra-exclusive rifles made for the Middle Eastern market. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi's Royal Family is another VO enthusiast.

The octagon barrels of the VO Falcon Edition are made of legendary Damascus steel. The beautiful and unique steel is strongly connected with the Arabian world and complements the full stock made of the world's finest walnut root. Only five VO Falcon Edition modes will be made, each individually marked with unique embellishments forming a truly ultra-exclusive collection. The first example is now complete; the next four will be built to order.

"When we came to The Gulf Region for the first time in 2005, we were overwhelmed with the warm reception and hospitality from the leaders and from the people," says Olsson. "We understood that this is a region where people appreciate traditions and true craftsmanship. It took us more than a year to develop and build the barrels. As far as we know, it is the one and only rifle in the world with barrels made of Damascus steel."

The name stems from the steel swords made in the vicinity of Damascus, Syria that first gained its mythical reputation during the medieval Crusades. The blade of a Damascus steel sword was said to be able to cut a piece of silk in half as it fell to the ground and was strong enough to cut through a rock without losing its sharpness.

All VO rifles are based on the firm's patented takedown system, allowing the owner to use several different calibers on the same rifle. The Falcon is the first VO takedown rifle to be built with a full stock. Of course the company also specializes in totally unique bespoke creations, entirely customized to the owner's wishes with pretty much any sort of precious ornamentation you could desire.
http://www.luxist.com/2011/03/28/the-classicist-vo-gun-falcon-rifle/

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© "I have never been able to appreciate 'shock' as applied to killing big game. It seems to me that you cannot kill an elephant weighing six tons by ´shock´unless you advocate the use of a field gun." - W.D.M. Bell: Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter.