Hippolit Mehles | 1887
In 1887, Hippolit Mehles, “Waffenfabrik” at Friedrichstraße 159 in Berlin, sent price lists “to anyone, free to the house”: hunting guns, Teschings (small-calibre rifles), revolvers, target rifles and hunting gear.
The ad offers four weeks of trial shooting with free exchange, and the conversion of muzzle-loaders into breech-loaders, a sign of how fast firearms were changing.
What stands out today is “an Jedermann”, to anyone: a revolver could be ordered by post. In Germany today, owning a firearm requires a licence and strict checks.
An ad that documents a world with very different rules.
Text in the ad
Repetirgewehre:
Preislisten über Neuheiten von: Jagdgewehren, Teschins, Revolvern, Scheibenbüchsen, Jagdutensilien etc. versende ich an Jedermann frei ins Haus. — Alle meine Waffen sind amtlich geprüft und präcis eingeschossen. Für alle Waffen übernehme ich jede gewünschte Garantie. Jeder kann 4 Wochen Probe schiessen und dann tausche ich noch gratis um. Vorderladergewehre werden zu Hinterladern billigst umgearbeitet. Reparaturen werden sauber ausgeführt. Für streng reelle Bedienung bürgt mein Weltrenommé.
Hippolit Mehles, Waffenfabrik, Berlin W., Friedrichstr. 159.
Translation:
Repeating rifles:
I send price lists of new hunting guns, Teschings, revolvers, target rifles, hunting equipment etc. to anyone, free to the house. — All my weapons are officially proofed and precisely sighted in. I give any guarantee desired for all weapons. Anyone may test-shoot for 4 weeks, and I will then still exchange free of charge. Muzzle-loaders are converted to breech-loaders at the lowest prices. Repairs are carried out neatly. My world reputation vouches for strictly honest service.
Hippolit Mehles, arms factory, Berlin W., Friedrichstrasse 159.
- Brand
- Hippolit Mehles
- Year
- 1887
- Decade
- 19th century
- Country
- Germany
- Medium
- Newspaper
- Original publication
- Zeitungs-Umschläge für Sächs. Provinzial- u. Grenzstädte, Dresden, 1887
