Several of Germany’s most respected manufacturers combined forces to feature “The Best of Germany” at the 2001 SHOT Show in New Orleans. The newest products and ideas were on display from companies like Schmidt & Bender, maker of riflescopes that have been called “the best in the world”; Reimer Johannsen, Inc., builder of the reproduction Mauser Magnum action and Johannsen Express Rifles; Heym, whose renowned double rifles, shotguns and bolt-action rifles are now available in the U.S. again after a long absence; Recknagel, with one of the world’s most extensive line of rifle sights; and GFT, had a hands-on display of unique recoil pads and its electronic deer crossing deterrent.

“The quality of German manufacturing is well known,” said a spokesperson for New England Custom Gun, Ltd., importer of these firms’ products, “but the remarkable number and variety of German products available is often overlooked. The German tradition of gunmaking goes back over 500 years. By combining efforts at the SHOT Show, we hope we made show visitors more aware of the innovation and many new ideas that have been coming out of Germany in recent years.”