Martin Hagn RIP

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Cow Town Bill

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Martin was born and educated in Germany and attained the Master gunmaker status and worked for a number of gunmakers including Griffin and Howe before moving his shop to Cranbrook, BC in 1985.
He is best know for developing his Single Shot Action and he built many rifles based on this action and had clients worldwide including the esteemed Hartman and Weiss firm. Recently, he completed a Single Shot in 700 Nitro Express.
He was also an expert shotgun stocker and built the stock, together with Daniel Perazzi, used by Conrad Wirnhier to win the Gold Medal in skeet shooting at the 1972 Olympics.
I've been fortunate to have been associated with him for over 30 years. He did a lot of work for me and I had the good fortune to win his respect and friendship and he treated me to many hours in his workshop where I did my best to help and learn from the Master.
He passed about 10 days ago, after a short illness.
Attached are 2 pics I took in his shop back in 2014. There are 2 single shots in progress awaiting another another coat of finish. And, there is the Master himself hard at work.

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Man, that's sad news. Never had him work on a gun but his reputation was stellar. Beside having his early years in Europe spent work with absolute egends like Hartmann & Weiss and Peter Nelson.......when Heym wanted a new rifle action......who did they call to design it.
 
canvasback said:
Man, that's sad news. Never had him work on a gun but his reputation was stellar. Beside having his early years in Europe spent work with absolute egends like Hartmann & Weiss and Peter Nelson.......when Heym wanted a new rifle action......who did they call to design it.
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Heym!!! That is where I remember the name Mr. Hagn from.

Thank you Mister Bill for the post.
 
There have been very very few gunsmiths/gunmakers in this country with the talent of Martin Hagn. We were extremely fortunate to count him as one of our own, his loss is irreplaceable to the world of fine guns. Truly sad news.
 
Thank you for sharing your talents with us, Martin. Rest assured your legacy will live on.

There was a sxs shotgun built by Martin for sale on the Martini Gunmakers site until last summer when some lucky soul purchased it; a beautiful piece if ever there was one.
 
Always a very sad thing when the gun community loses another of its true artisans. So rare and few in recent times. Feel sorrow but also blessed Cow Town Bill. My condolences on your loss of a great tradesman and obviously a friend.
 
Longstud said:
Always a very sad thing when the gun community loses another of its true artisans. So rare and few in recent times. Feel sorrow but also blessed Cow Town Bill. My condolences on your loss of a great tradesman and obviously a friend.
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Thanks for your kind words.
Martin was a friend to many keen gun lovers and in particular, aspiring amateur stockmakers and I can think of two gentleman who were tutored by Martin and became very skilled at the trade.
 
Martin was a Master and a character to anyone who knew him and you would know right away as to which side of the fence he supported on any issue. He rebuilt a Model 21 for me when I was pretty sure it was a write-off and I remember being amazed that he had a shooting bench in his back porch so he could shoot out the window to test fire guns on cold or rainy days. He came to a black powder rendezvous at Cranbrook a few years ago and we sat up around the campfire until very late that night sharing stories of life, hunting and special guns, including proudly showing us his French-style O/U flint pistol he had built as a kid in Germany shortly after hostilities ended there... RIP.
 
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