Fuchs Fine Guns are bespoke makers of fine sporting rifles and guns. Fuchs make one of the most unique sporting rifles in the world: the Joseph Szecsei designed bolt-action double rifle, along with conventional double rifles and guns.
Not only that but Fuchs now make their new MH2 sporting rifles which are of a modern and unusual design yet made in a traditional style as fully functional works of the rifle-maker’s art.
Fast Facts
- Fuchs Fine Guns are perhaps most famous for their Joseph Szecsei designed bolt-action double rifles.
- In addition to the bolt-action double rifles Fuchs make conventional side-by-side double rifles suitable for dangerous game.
- The Fuchs bolt-action double rifles are made in both side-by-side and over and under styles, in calibers from 470 Capstick and 416 Remington Magnum down to 22lr.
- A new rifle from Fuchs is their MH2 which is a modern and imaginative yet highly traditional rifle.
- The Fuchs MH1 and MH2 can be ordered chambered for “super magnum” cartridges such as the 408 Chey Tac and 338 Lapua, and for more conventional cartridges such as the 300 Winchester Magnum.
- Fuchs Fine Guns are located in Innsbruck, Austria.
Many of us are familiar with the top-shelf firearms that are made by the famous British gun and rifle makers. Names such as Purdey, Holland & Holland, and Westley Richards are world famous and rightly so. But have you considered that the best of the British gun makers nowadays tend to make side-by-side and over-and-under shotguns, side-by-side double rifles, and bolt-action magazine rifles.
Make no mistake, these types of sporting arms are some of the best in the world and they command eye-watering sums of British pounds to have one made to your bespoke specifications.
But across the English Channel in Continental Europe there also exists a gun trade that arguably creates rifles and guns that match the best the British gunmakers can create. Not only that but some of these European gunmakers create guns and rifles of types that the British do not turn their hand to.
If you are looking for creative designs, then travel to Europe is recommended, and among the places where you will find both creativity and craftsmanship in beautiful combination is Austria.
Austria and Germany are nations whose gunmakers are famous not only for their double-barrel guns and rifles, or just for their bolt-action magazine rifles, but also for designs not seen in Britain.
One of the most respected and creative of Austria’s gunmakers is to be found in the pretty city of Innsbruck. The gunmaker is Fuchs Fine Guns and he makes some designs that are familiar, such as side-by-side double rifles and guns, and classic Mauser style bolt-action rifles: but he is not limited to these but makes some rifles that are quite unique.
What would you think if I told you that Fuchs Fine Guns are perhaps most famous for their bolt-action double-rifles?
Side by Side Double Barrel Bolt Action Rifle
Those who have had some experience using a typical break-action double rifle will know that it offers “a swift, sure second shot”, but will also be very aware that the third shot is by no means so swift or sure.
If your double-rifle has ejectors then the fired cartridge cases should be flung out of the breech as you open the rifle leaving you with the job of dropping a fresh cartridge or two into the chambers: a task that requires practice to make it both sure and swift.
If your double-rifle does not have ejectors then the task can be much slower and fraught with uncertainty. When the first two shots are fired and the action opened the shooter first needs to pick out the fired cases with their fingers, and in my experience the fired cases might prove to be fingernail snapping obstinate about getting hauled out: and this makes for potentially slow and uncertain reloading.
If one is on the range practicing or shooting in competition then those difficulties are just annoying, but if in the presence of something that is intent on giving you the “stomp or chomp” treatment then such difficulty in reloading could result in rather nasty permanent consequences.
It was this sort of scenario that was the one that motivated the creation of the bolt-action double rifle.
A Hungarian riflemaker named Joseph Szecsei was on an elephant hunt and found himself subject to a charge not by just one elephant – which would be frightening enough, and not just by two elephants – which would be even worse, but by three – which qualifies as utterly terrifying.
Joseph Szecsei survived his close encounter of the three big grumpy pachyderms kind unscathed but walked away from that experience wondering how he could create a better double rifle?
In his problem solving musings his mind led him to wonder if it would be possible to combine the best attributes of a double rifle with the magazine reloading convenience of a bolt-action rifle.
Joseph Szecsei had a “Eureka” moment and the design for his bolt-action double-rifle took shape.
Szecsei reasoned that in order to achieve the effect of putting two bolt-action rifles together he was going to need a single non-rotating bolt with two bolt-faces, firing pins and extractors. The action would need ejection ports on both the right and left hand side, and there would need to be only one bolt handle to operate the action, but the action needed to provide two separate firing mechanisms just like a conventional double-rifle does, to ensure reliability.
To achieve a non-rotating bolt there was no uncomplicated way to achieve it except by using a rear-locking action.
In Szecsei’s design at the rear of the bolt he would fit a sleeve which had the bolt handle, and the locking lugs. He settled on six locking lugs arranged in two banks of three that engaged into recesses in the action bridge.
For the magazines he simply fixed two single-column magazines side by side onto a common floor-plate creating a double-magazine that could be detached and a new magazine inserted.
Szecsei’s magazines held three cartridges on each side in single columns, making the magazine capacity six, plus a cartridge in each chamber made a total of eight: a sufficient reserve to deal with emergencies foreseen and unforeseen.
A not insignificant problem associated with this design was the sheer size of the action, and thus the problem of weight. That problem was ameliorated by the strategic use of Titanium alloy in the rifle for many parts while steel was used for the barrels and bolt. This pulled the weight of the rifle down to acceptable levels while ensuring durability.
The Fuchs bolt-action double rifles made for dangerous game are made in 416 Remington Magnum and 470 Capstick, and no doubt Fuchs will make you one of these rifles in the caliber of your choice, such as 458 Lott or 375 Holland & Holland Magnum for example.
The dangerous game bolt-action double rifles tend to tip the scales around 11.5 lb. without riflescope and have barrels of 23.6 inches (60cm).
Fuchs also make bolt-action double rifles in smaller centerfire calibers such as the practical and popular 9.3×62. This model is the DBR Mod.46 and it features a lighter action which keeps the rifle weight down to around 9.5 lb. (4.3 kg.) without riflescope.
Fuchs also make a rimfire version of their bolt-action double rifle. This model is the DBR Hummingbird and it can be ordered in 22lr, 22 Magnum, 17HMR, or chambered for the small centerfire 22 Hornet.
Fuchs bolt-action double rifles are individually made to the customer’s specifications. The caliber chosen will determine whether the rifle needs to be built on the magnum cartridge action, the DBR Mod.46 standard cartridge action, or the DBR Hummingbird small cartridge action.
The Fuchs Fine Guns bolt-action double rifles are, to the best of my knowledge unique in the world.
You can find a selection of these rifles featured on the Fuchs Fine Guns website if you click here.
Over and Under Double Barrel Bolt Action Rifle
In addition to the side-by-side bolt-action double rifle Fuchs Fine Guns also make an over and under version. This is accomplished by re-designing the side-by-side version by turning it onto its side, so the barrels and corresponding bolt faces are vertically arranged. The bolt-handle remains in the conventional place but the magazine base plate is on the side of the rifle instead of being on the bottom.
By placing the barrels in the over and under “superposed” configuration and making the barrels assembly floating it is possible to provide the ability to adjust the barrels to independently control the point of impact of each one to adjust the regulation.
This is of great benefit as it allows the shooter to adjust for different types of ammunition.
Because the magazine is laid sideways it needs to be of less capacity than that of the side-by-side bolt-action double rifles to keep the profile of the rifle slim.
Fuchs Fine Guns can provide a small capacity magazine which maintains the slim profile of the rifle, these magazines hold two cartridges making the capacity of the rifle four rounds.
If more than that is wanted a larger capacity magazine can also be ordered. This magazine has a capacity of four cartridges making the total rifle capacity six rounds.
Magazines can be easily ejected and a new magazine inserted to reload the rifle quickly and effortlessly.
The over and under bolt-action double rifle can be ordered in magnum calibers such as the European 8×68 S or 300 Winchester Magnum, or in standard calibers such as 30-06.
You can find an example of the Fuchs Fine Guns over and under double rifle if you click here.
Side by Side Double Rifle
The Fuchs side-by-side double rifle is called the “King of Africa” and it is made to be both a thing of beauty and a ruggedly dependable sporting arm purpose designed for the dangerous game hunt conditions for which it is intended.
The barrels are combined using the demi-block method and all components of the barrel assembly are milled from a full N700 billet.
The barrels are internally bored and drawn with match-grade precision to provide the best possible accuracy.
The side-lock action is fitted with a “dry lock system” to ensure that the second shot is “swift and sure”
The safety system is made with the same attention to dependability to guard against an unintended discharge. Fuchs fully understands the importance of safety and reliability – in a dangerous game rifle part of the safety regime needs to be to keep the rifle from an unintentional discharge – but the second safety requirement is that it must fire reliably every time the hunter intends it to.
For a dangerous game rifle a failure to fire when needed can result in fatal consequences.
The “King of Africa” double rifle has traditional dangerous game open sights and the quarter rib is also equipped so that a holographic sight can be fitted: a holographic sight can be a great advantage under poor light conditions and/or for shooters whose eyes are getting a bit older.
Rifles chambered for such potent cartridges as the 577 Nitro Express 3 inch have to be made to reliably withstand the recoil levels, and must also be made to fit the shooter to channel the recoil in a way that will keep the rifle under control and help the shooter get back on target for the second shot if one is needed. Stock profile and fit are very important.
The Fuchs Fine Guns 577 Nitro Express double rifle weighs 12.8 lb. and is fitted with handy 21.7 inch (55 cm) barrels.
The 577 Nitro Express 3 inch cartridge sends a 750 grain bullet downrange at 2,050 fps (625 m/s) and delivers 7,010 ft/lb of energy.
Recoil energy is 89 ft/lb: by comparison a rifle of the same weight firing the 458 Lott cartridge using a 500 grain Woodleigh Hydrostatically stabilized bullet at a velocity of 2,300 fps generates 60 ft/lb of recoil.
For dangerous African game that bullet must be precisely placed to produce the sort of safe humane kill this rifle and cartridge are designed to deliver. The Fuchs “King of Africa” double rifle should prove to be an excellent tool that helps the shooter do his/her part and make that shot.
Side by Side Double Barrel Shotgun
The Fuchs side-by-side sidelock gun is a continental styled thing of beauty featuring a splinter fore-end, pistol grip stock, and single trigger.
This model is called the “Elegant Hunter” and it weighs 7.5 lb. Barrel length is 28 inches.
The internal parts of the sidelocks are given a special coating treatment to optimize their smooth and flawless operation.
The engraving is done in the English style by Pedretti.
MH1 and MH2 Bolt Action Rifles
The Fuchs MH1 and MH2 bolt action hunting rifles are built on Gerhard Fuchs’ own custom hand made action. The Fuchs bolt action features a flat bottom receiver for stability in bedding into the stock, and integrated optical sight bases which accept Fuchs’ own riflescope rings or rail fittings.
The riflescope rings/rail fittings are quick detachable by the use of a lever/catch built into each ring/rail fitment.
These rifles are single barrel and feature actions made of titanium alloy, with titanium alloy magazine and floor-plate/trigger guard to reduce the weight and make for a hunting rifle that is comfortable to carry, yet also comfortable to shoot.
As with the bolt-action double rifles the bolt and barrel are of steel while the action body, floorplate and magazine are mainly of titanium alloy.
The safety catch is two-position and mounted on the right side of the bolt shroud.
When engaged the safety catch locks the firing pin, bolt and trigger.
The trigger system is a Fuchs unit and is adjustable to suit the owner’s preference. The lock-time is kept very short to enhance the rifle’s accuracy.
The MH2 can be made in calibers like the 300 Winchester Magnum, with weight down to 2.98 kg (6.6 lb.) with a 24.4 inch (62 cm) barrel. And the MH2 rifles are also offered in such calibers as 338 Lapua Magnum and 408 Chey Tac (10.36×77mm). When made in such “super magnum” calibers the rifle weight is about 11 lb. (4.98 kg), barrel length is 26 inches (66cm).
In this video from Fuchs Fine Guns Gerhard Fuchs looks at a Fuchs MH2 in 300 Winchester Magnum decorated in a “White Tiger” theme.
You can find information about the Fuchs MH1 rifle on their website if you click here.
The MH2 is a new model at time of writing and has not yet been featured on the Fuchs Fine Guns website.
“Classic Mauser” Bolt Action Rifle
Fuchs Fine Guns make their “Classic Mauser” rifle based on a traditional “Mauser M1898” action. This model has been updated with some Fuchs custom features such as the traditional Austrian style butterknife bolt handle and a Type B bolt with flag type safety catch that only needs to be half raised to ensure that it does not interfere with the mounting of a riflescope.
The Fuchs “Classic Mauser” can be fitted with the Suhler type claw mount for the telescopic sight, and a lever type magazine floor-plate release.
The “Classic Mauser” rifle pictured was made in 270 Weatherby Magnum.
It weighs 8.2 lb. and has a 25.6 inch (65 cm) barrel.
You can find the Fuchs “Classic Mauser” rifle if you click here.
Vertical Drilling
Fuchs Fine Guns are a custom gun and rifle maker and will sometimes be asked by a customer to make an entirely bespoke sporting firearm.
An example of this is the vertical drilling demonstrated in the video below.
A “drilling” is a three-barrel sporting arm and the English name comes from the German word for three “drei”: hence “drei-ling”.
The more common format for a drilling is for two side-by-side shotgun barrels above a single rifle barrel. Less common is the “double rifle drilling” which has side-by-side rifle barrels above a shotgun barrel.
The vertical drilling is quite uncommon – I’ve not come across one although I’ve seen such things in books and magazines.
In the case of this custom vertical drilling Gerhard Fuchs had made it with floating barrels that allow the shooter to adjust and regulate to the desired point of impact.
The calibers are 9.3×74 mm at the bottom, 22 Magnum on the top, and 20 gauge shotgun in the middle.
This sidelock drilling is fitted with a safety sear to provide protection against an unintended discharge if the rifle was dropped.
In the video below Gerhard Fuchs demonstrates this vertical drilling and, especially for those thinking of having a unique bespoke sporting arm made, this video might help with the process of envisioning what you might be thinking of.
Conclusion
Fuchs Fine Guns is a wonderful example of a bespoke sporting arms maker who applies practical imagination to the creation of guns that are quite unique.
The Joseph Szecsei bolt-action double rifle designs are indeed unique and highly desirable, especially if hunting in herd situations such as encountered on African Cape Buffalo hunts for example.
Gerhard Fuchs dangerous game double rifle is every bit a well designed and beautifully made work of the rifle-maker’s art.
For me, as a bolt-action rifle aficionado, I think the Fuchs MH2 is the model that captures my imagination.
How about you?
You will find more detailed information and contact details for Fuchs Fine Guns if you click here.
Fuchs Fine Guns have a fascinating YouTube channel with many videos about sporting rifles and guns that are pretty much guaranteed to fire your imagination.
You can find the Fuchs Fine Guns YouTube channel if you click here.
Picture and Media Credits: All pictures and videos courtesy Fuchs Fine Guns.
Jon Branch is the founder and senior editor of Revivaler and has written a significant number of articles for various publications including official Buying Guides for eBay, classic car articles for Hagerty, magazine articles for both the Australian Shooters Journal and the Australian Shooter, and he’s a long time contributor to Silodrome.
Jon has done radio, television, magazine and newspaper interviews on various issues, and has traveled extensively, having lived in Britain, Australia, China and Hong Kong. His travels have taken him to Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan and a number of other countries. He has studied the Japanese sword arts and has a long history of involvement in the shooting sports, which has included authoring submissions to government on various firearms related issues and assisting in the design and establishment of shooting ranges.
