The Classicist: VO Guns Debuts the Falcon, World's Most Expensive Rifle, for $820,000 [EXCLUSIVE]

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed)
Mar 28th 2011 at 9:01AM

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."

Gallery: VO Falcon Edition, the $820,000 Hunting Rifle

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.

See more classic style at jaredpaulstern.com

Tags: bespoke, falconry, guns, gunsmith, hunting, luxury goods, most expensive guns, rifles, shooting, sports, Sweden, UAE, Vo guns, VO Vapen, vo+falcon+rifle, vofalconrifle, worlds most expensive

Filed under: Sports, Men's Style, The Classicist, Wealth

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Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)

Vlad Mar 29th 2011 10:19AM

Gorgeous !!!!!!

Heidi Mar 29th 2011 10:26AM

The craftmanship on this object is truly astonishing. If you can't appreciate it's beauty then you've got issues! It's not about you personal view of guns!...it's about the gun as a hole...get a clue

robert Mar 29th 2011 10:31AM

grady people have been killed with a .50 steak knife there is your price of life.narrow mindedness is much more dangerous than guns.

wesdik Mar 29th 2011 10:39AM

An absolute gorgeous rifle!

Richie Mar 29th 2011 10:44AM

There's one thing for sure, the passion that pours out of people that REAALLLYYYY like guns is so totally wierd. It's like little boys with fireworks, it's a prepubescent sexual thing carried along into adulthood. That and the power trip it brings, which is needed to compensate for their own percieved inadequacies.
Bigger gun/bigger junk. I mean look at the comments, the vitriol from some of these wierdos. And if you need to bolster the argument, take in a big gun sale if you get a chance.
The creepometer flies off the charts!

an2anders Mar 29th 2011 10:55AM

Not impressed, a WWII, Swedish mauser in 6.5 will shoot rings around this thing and they sell in like new condition for about $300.00....if you want a wall hangar , go to an art gallery.

Bryan Merritt Mar 29th 2011 11:59AM

What a lovely work of art. I'de love to have a rifle like that in my collection. I love guns and especially nice ones like that. Only a true sportsman can appriciate a fine firearm like that. Thats why I love Holland & Holland, James Purdy and sons,,. Woodward, and the like. Master gunmakers have been turning out fine guns for centuries each one hand made. Love it! great articule.

C.A. Prescott Sr Mar 29th 2011 1:21PM

Shame we have to deal with the Nancy's of the world and thier wayward thinking. As as a disabled Army veteren and more important to me a American she miss'es the boat entirely as to what this article is about.

It is about both the craftmenship and the beauty of this firearms art work, she does not take into consideration the skill involved in the making of this firearm for the future owners enjoyment. It is like a painting to be marveled by some and disliked by others

frank1946 Mar 29th 2011 2:24PM

Nancy hates Freedom, so she kills the messenger !

Guns are for hunting and sport and competition, people are guilty of killing each other over thousands of years !

Nancy does not like anxiety, but it is everywhere !

Sorry, Nancy, hope you enjoy your day in America, it has been won and sustained by killing our enemies (with Guns) !

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