Joh. SPRINGER’S ERBEN, WIEN

This fine Sidelock ejector from Joh. Springer’s Erben is not only a fine gun, but also a piece of history.

How it all began

Among the most prestigious gunsmithing companies of the old Europe is in a prominent place the traditional house Joh. Springer’s Erben, Vienna. The foundation of this manufacturer of fine hunting weapons dates back to the 1830s, when the gunsmith Mathias Nowotny from Königgrätz settled in Vienna.
Soon, in addition to his workshop in Josefstadt, he opened a branch in the heart of Vienna at Stock-im-Eisen-Platz 5 in the 1st district.

One of his employees became Johann Springer from Leutschach in Upper Hungary, a skilled master engraver who learned the gunsmith’s trade in Vienna. He worked for Mathias Nowotny for 15 years until his suicide in 1856. A year later, Nowotny’s widow sold him the business.

Springer took over the business and married Nowotny’s sister, Katharina. In the same year he got the permission for factory production of rifles and changed the company name to “Johann Springer, vorm. Mathias Nowotny”.

He specialized in the production of luxury hunting rifles, which won several medals at exhibitions due to their high quality.

The most prominent regular customer was Emperor Franz Josef, who in 1872 awarded him the highest honor as purveyor of the imperial court and chamber (“k.u.k. Kammertitel”).

Springer’s Erben

Johann’s sons Rudolf and Gustav Springer continued the business and changed the name to “Johann Springer’s Erben” in 1888. The factory continued to establish itself and the products received numerous awards at world exhibitions. In addition to the emperor and the imperial court, such as Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Archduchess Maria Theresa, the company’s customers included numerous European noble families, including the Liechtensteins, Esterházys, Coburgs and Orlowskis.

The flourishing of the company was abruptly ended by the First World War and the collapse of the monarchy.

In the period between the two world wars, Springer again produced its famous sidelock double-barreled shotguns of exceptional quality which were produced and sold throughout Europe. In the 1930s, Joh. Springer’s Erben was additionally appointed as the purveyor of arms to the court of Monaco.

During World War II, the company had to produce parts for the German V-2 rocket, among other things. In 1944, after Gustav Springer’s death, his nephew took over the company.
He was also responsible for the reconstruction after the end of the war. The shotguns, which were again produced in-house, were sold to customers such as Soviet Marshal Konew, General Kaltschenko and other allied officers.
The famous big game hunter Ernst Zwilling also trusted Springer weapons.

The gun shown here by my friend Sergey is a sidelock shotgun in cal. 12 which was delivered or handed over to a Russian colonel on August 6, 1952.

Due to financial difficulties, weapons production had to be discontinued in 1956. However, the trade in hunting weapons remained as a branch of business.

What remained is the good reputation that Springer weapons enjoy to this day among connoisseurs and enthusiasts.

Johann Springer’s Erben today

On April 1st 2008, Christian Johann Springer took over the company from his mother Margarethe Weixelbraun (formerly Springer).

The company now has three locations in Vienna and is still a synonym for living hunting tradition. Hunting rifles, hunting equipment and clothing as well as exclusive fashion lines represent the core competencies of the company. Many top products are also available in their online shop.

https://www.springer-vienna.com/en

Furthermore Joh. Springer’s Erben is one of Europe’s largest and most respected auction houses specializing in weapons, weapon accessories, collectors’ items, and hunting art. All objects which come to their auctions are assessed and valued by experts. At both customary and silent auctions choice items change hands at attractive prices.

https://www.springer-vienna.com/en/auction