Krieghoff K-80 Shotgun: A Shining Star at IWA Show

Philip Schreier, Senior Curator, NRA Museums

posted on March 29, 2017

News, Shotguns, Semi-Auto Shotguns

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As it has for four decades, the 2017 IWA Show in Nuremberg, Germany, last March brought the finest in European firearms to the public forefront in a dazzling expo, attracting 1,500 manufacturers/exhibitors and more than 45,000 visitors. Since 1886, the legendary gun making firm Krieghoff has been manufacturing some of the finest rifles and shotguns available in any market, and its booth at IWA was a showcase of some of the best examples of craftsmanship and engraving that we have examined.

We were very fortunate to have a guided tour of the Krieghoff booth with Dieter Krieghoff, the fourth generation owner of Krieghoff, and Alex Diehl, chief operating officer at Krieghoff International. As expected, they were both very proud of the performance of the Krieghoff K-80 at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Dieter Krieghoff, left, and Alex Diehl oversee the current operations of Krieghoff International, making some of the world’s finest shotguns and rifles since 1886.

There were nine shooters sporting Krieghoff K-80s in Rio, and they did extraordinarily well, capturing Silver (Marcus Svensson of Sweden) and Bronze (Corey Cogdell-Unrein of USA) medals in Men’s Skeet and Women’s Trap, respectively. Andreas Löw of Germany set an Olympic Men’s Trap Doubles record during the qualifying rounds with his K-80.

Krieghoff COO Alex Diehl demonstrates one of the featured .410s at the IWA Show.

The K-80 is an expertly crafted system that features six different platforms that cater to users who enjoy Trap and Skeet in 12, 20, 28 & .410 gauges. With barrels in the standard 28”, 30” & 32” lengths, there is a Krieghoff K-80 for every need, and they are rapidly capturing the lion’s share of international competition medals.

Doug Hamlin, Executive Director of NRA Publications, views the Krieghoff Gun of the Year with Krieghoff COO Alex Diehl.

The real centerpiece of the Krieghoff booth was the K-80 in the “GUN OF THE YEAR” case. This exquisitely executed 12-ga. shotgun highlights the career of America’s own Colonel William F. Cody, or Buffalo Bill, as he was popularly known. 2017 marks the centennial passing of Cody, one of America’s greatest heroes and showmen. At the time of his death, he was the best known and most widely recognized American on earth.

Cody’s Medal of Honor was awarded in 1872 for actions as a civilian Scout for the 3rd Cav. It was rescinded in 1917 (the year he died) as he had been a civilian and not a soldier. In 1977, the Medal was restored.

This K-80 is engraved by Master Engraver Hendrik Frühauf and features full coverage high-relief engraved scenes from Cody’s full and varied life. His portrait adorns the receiver bottom and his Medal of Honor is depicted under the top latch. Scenes from his days as a buffalo hunter and as the showman of his Wild West Show adorn the right and left sides of the receiver. Uncommon wood is a common feature on every Krieghoff and the 2017 Gun of the Year is no exception. This finely figured piece of walnut is as stunning as the engraving on the gun itself.

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and Congress of Rough Riders featuring Annie Oakley and Sitting Bull made Cody the most famous American in the world at the time of his death in 1917. The right side of the Buffalo Bill K-80 features a scene of Bill as the buffalo hunter.

For those of us on this side of the “pond,” you can view the Gun of the Year at the World English Sporting Championship at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas, April 25 to 30, 2017.