As usual, many good points have been made here. I have concluded that the only responsible action is to buy as many fine weapons from as many fine makers as possible. I admire items that have been well contemplated by the designer who has put an extraordinary amount of thinking into making something even more exquisite and more functional. Suits are an easy example but who has to wear suits anymore? Fountain pens, knives, even backpacks (Hill People Gear, for instance), bootmakers and so many others seem to be working at an elevated level to the past. To me, it seems we are living in a a golden era where so many things that we know, and have known for generations, are being reintroduced to us as something even better by artisans. When the kids are done with college, we plan to fly to Germany to buy a G wagon, and then drive to Fanzoj to get a kiplauf with several barrels in different calibers. My wife has no interest in hunting (she is glad to live in a house made safe by guns with someone who knows how to use them) but we plan to travel all over Europe and move between cities and the countryside on a grand tour. We will follow the hunting seasons on the continent and spend time at theaters and opera houses, great restaurants, modest chop houses, and everything in between that allows us to metabolize the adventure. I have digressed a bit from the original theme of the conversation, but the Mercedes plays a prominent role, as does Fanzoj's kiplauf.
https://fanzoj.com/collection/single-shot-rifles/fanzoj-kipplauf-kb-1/
....and at sci years back I did look at the model 70s on the custom shop rack they had....got to know the guy there enough to say hi and him recognise me...as used to stop by every year...kept being tempted by their 458 version but as mentioned in other posts the stock felt slightly too short, and couldn't be bothered with the thought of trying to ship one back then....
