What VO Vapen does

VO Vapen AB is a privately held Swedish gunmaker founded in 1977 by Master Gunsmith Viggo Olsson and now operated by the Olsson family from VO Faktori, a dedicated manufacturing facility in Fjälkinge, southern Sweden, located adjacent to Trolle-Ljungby Castle. The company designs and handcrafts bespoke bolt-action hunting rifles for high-net-worth individuals, royal families, and elite hunters, with named clients including the Swedish Royal Family and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Its portfolio spans concept rifles (VO Classic Fixed Barrel, VO Classic Drive & Stalk, VO Huntress, VO High Mountain, VO Explorer, VO Africa), fully bespoke "Made to Order" commissions, the VO 45 carbon fiber rifle launched February 2024, a suite of patented proprietary components (VO Action, VO Short Action, magazine lock, muzzle brake, trigger and safety group, TakeDown barrel system), leather and accessory lines under VO Selection, VO Ammunition hand-loaded with Henrik Nyberg, and the Club Viggo membership community. Manufacturing is fully hand-based; walnut root blanks are sourced globally and air-dried for 3-5 years before use, and the carbon fiber stock uses a proprietary 24-hour autoclave process.

The go-to-market is direct-to-client with no resellers or distributors: clients visit VO Faktori for measurements and configuration, or Viggo and Ulf Olsson travel globally to consult on projects. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; each bespoke rifle is a one-off sale. The VO 45 represents a deliberate new pricing approach - more accessible than historical bespoke commissions - with an explicit upgrade pathway that lets buyers credit the purchase toward a later full bespoke rifle. Revenue streams therefore comprise bespoke rifle commissions, VO 45 sales, ammunition, accessories, and service/maintenance booked through Club Viggo. Marketing is reputation-based via the website, the Art of Living blog, Instagram (@voartofliving, @vovapen), newsletter, and selective international exhibition presence (notably Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2024). The company is family-owned with no external institutional investment disclosed.

Name

VO Vapen

Legal name

VO Vapen AB

Website

https://vovapen.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

VO Vapen AB is a privately held Swedish gunmaker (founded 1977) that designs and handcrafts bespoke hunting rifles and proprietary components for high-net-worth hunters, royal families, and elite collectors worldwide, operating from VO Faktori in Fjälkinge, southern Sweden.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Hunting Rifles / Luxury Firearms

NAICS

Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing (332994), Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing (332992), Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing (3322)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480), Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)

akta.pro primary industry

Firearms & Ammunition Retail (CRAMAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ammunition Manufacturing (Small-, Medium- & Large-Caliber) (IMABAHAG), Hunting & Shooting Specialty Knife/Tool Retail (CRAMAKAH)

Keywords

• Custom hunting rifles
• Bolt-action rifles
• Luxury gunmaking
• Firearm manufacturing
• Hunting accessories

Headquarters

HQ city

Fjälkinge

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Bespoke Handmade Rifles: Custom-crafted rifles built to individual specifications, measurements, and aesthetic visions. Each rifle is unique and represents a one-time sale. Price varies based on customization level, materials (walnut root, Damascus steel), and design options (VO Professional, VO Artemis, VO One of One).
2. VO 45 (Carbon Fiber Rifle): Contemporary precision rifle at competitive price point. First carbon fiber rifle manufactured at VO Faktori. Includes option to upgrade to bespoke rifle and reclaim full investment.
3. Service and Maintenance: Club Viggo offers booking service for rifle maintenance and care.
4. VO Ammunition: Hand-loaded precision ammunition developed in collaboration with Henrik Nyberg, featuring copper bullets for cleaner wounds and environmental benefits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

VO Vapen designs and handcrafts bespoke bolt-action hunting rifles built to each customer's individual measurements, aesthetic vision, and hunting purpose at its dedicated VO Faktori facility in southern Sweden. The product portfolio includes custom-crafted concept rifles (VO Classic, VO Huntress, VO High Mountain, VO Explorer, VO Africa, VO Made to Order), the contemporary carbon fiber VO 45 rifle, plus accessories such as VO Selection leather goods, VO Folder knives, and VO Ammunition. Every rifle is a unique, one-off piece combining centuries-old Swedish gunmaking traditions with patented innovations such as the VO Action, TakeDown system, and proprietary magazine lock.

Product overview

VO Vapen is a Swedish luxury gunmaking company specializing in handmade hunting rifles. The product portfolio centers on custom-crafted rifles including VO Classic (Fixed Barrel and Drive & Stalk), VO Huntress (designed for women), VO High Mountain (long-distance), VO Explorer (TakeDown system), VO Africa (safari), and Made to Order bespoke rifles. The flagship contemporary product is VO 45, the first carbon fiber rifle from VO Faktori launched in February 2024. Supporting innovations include VO Action, VO Short Action, trigger and safety systems, magazines, muzzle brakes, and sight holders (for Aimpoint and Swarovski). Accessories include VO Selection leather goods (boots, bags), VO Folder knives, and VO Ammunition. Club Viggo membership provides access to events, service booking, and preowned rifles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VO Faktori: The unique manufacturing facility in southern Sweden where all VO Vapen rifles are created and tested, located next to Trolle-Ljungby Castle.
• VO 45
• VO Selection
• Club Viggo

Products and services

• VO 45 Contemporary carbon fiber hunting rifle celebrating 45 years of VO Vapen tradition. First carbon fiber rifle manufactured at VO Faktori, featuring adjustable cheek-piece, steady sight holder, and unique serial numbering starting 45-001. Available at competitive price with upgrade option to a bespoke rifle.
• VO Classic Fixed Barrel Short, compact, smooth hunting rifle optimized for Scandinavian hunting conditions with two optical solutions for quick driven hunts and longer distances up to 300 meters.
• VO Classic Drive & Stalk Versatile hunting rifle prepared for intense driven hunts, selective shot stand hunting and physically challenging stalking worldwide. Equipped with patented TakeDown system and two tailored barrels.
• VO Huntress Light, short, compact rifle designed specifically for women hunters, built around VO Short Action with smooth recoil while maintaining classic attributes of VO craftsmanship.
• VO High Mountain First rifle of its kind specialized for long-range shooting with versatility. Innovative, weather-resistant rifle combining elegant design with tactical capabilities for mountain hunting.
• VO Explorer Versatile TakeDown rifle with three barrel sets enabling use of different calibers with the same single rifle. Ideal for demanding hunters traveling worldwide from red deer in Norway to Cape buffalo in South Africa.
• VO Africa Supreme safari rifle combining big-game and plains-game capabilities with two interchangeable TakeDown barrels enabling hunting of any African game with one rifle.
• VO Made to Order Fully bespoke rifle service where customers can customize every detail including barrel lengths, mechanism, magazine type, stock design, and telescopic sight mounting at VO Faktori.
• VO Selection Leather Goods High-end leather hunting boots, bags, and accessories including Duffel bags, Rifle slips in deep-waxed Bovine Leather, and double-stitched hunting boots in high and low versions.
• VO Folder Hand-crafted folding hunting knife with elegant design, concealed external screws, flexible blade replacement. Typically forged from Damascus steel with personalization through unique engravings.
• VO Ammunition Hand-loaded precision ammunition developed in collaboration with Henrik Nyberg, featuring consistent loads with exact weight measurements and copper bullets for cleaner wound cavities.
• Club Viggo Exclusive membership society for VO family members offering access to VO Hunting Events, VO 45 configuration, VO Gunroom for preowned rifles, service booking, and VO Selection products.

Quantifiable outcome

• First carbon fiber rifle manufactured at VO Faktori (VO 45)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Carlex DesignflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration with Polish luxury automotive customization company (Mercedes G-Class modifications). Joint creation of G-Falcon car and VO Falcon rifle presented at Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2024. Both companies share passion for craftsmanship and precision. Plans for future One-of-One concepts featuring metal, leather, wood, and jewelry techniques. Damian Skotnicki, CEO of Carlex Design, called it a natural collaboration between kindred spirits in craftsmanship.
• Henrik NybergcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration with successful long-range shooter and ammunition manufacturer Henrik Nyberg to develop VO Ammunition - hand-loaded precision ammunition with copper bullets. Work at VO Faktori with father-son Olssons. Nyberg brings expertise in finding exact powder weights (grain measurements) for consistent accuracy. Addresses market need for hand-loaded ammunition with perfect accuracy in larger quantities.
• Abu Dhabi Falconers ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsultation with UAE falconry institution during VO Falcon rifle development to select authentic falcon species from the region for design engravings.
• Emirates Falconers ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsultation with UAE falconry institution during VO Falcon rifle development to select authentic falcon species from the region for design engravings.
• Abu Dhabi Falcon HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsultation with UAE falconry institution during VO Falcon rifle development to select authentic falcon species from the region for design engravings.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Direct peers

• Sako: Finnish manufacturer of high-end hunting and sporting rifles. Comparable to VO Vapen in target customer (serious hunters), product category (bolt-action hunting rifles), and premium European positioning, though Sako operates at much larger scale with broader product lines.
• Blaser: German maker of premium hunting rifles including the iconic R8 system with interchangeable caliber capability. Directly comparable to VO Vapen in product category, target market (European HNW hunters), and emphasis on modular rifle architectures (analogous to VO's TakeDown system).
• Holland & Holland: London-based bespoke gunmaker producing handmade best-quality rifles and shotguns for elite hunters and collectors. Closest direct peer to VO Vapen in terms of bespoke craftsmanship, ultra-luxury pricing, and multi-generational HNW/royal clientele.
• James Purdey & Sons: British bespoke gunmaker producing individually-built shotguns and rifles since1814. Highly comparable to VO Vapen on bespoke craftsmanship model, HNW/royal customer base, and reputation-led direct-to-client sales without dealer channels.
• John Rigby & Co. London-based bespoke rifle maker specializing in dangerous-game and big-game hunting rifles. Directly comparable to VO Vapen on the safari/big-game rifle segment (cf. VO Africa), bespoke build process, and elite international hunter clientele.
• Sauer & Sohn: German manufacturer of premium hunting rifles (Sauer 404, Sauer 100/101). Comparable to VO Vapen in product category (bolt-action hunting rifles), German/European premium positioning, and emphasis on engineered rifle platforms.
• Chapuis Armes: French bespoke gunmaker specializing in high-end double rifles and bespoke bolt-action rifles for African and European hunting. Highly comparable to VO Vapen in bespoke build model, dangerous-game segment overlap, and European luxury hunting positioning.
• Heym GmbH: German bespoke rifle maker producing high-grade express and bolt-action rifles for safari and big-game hunting. Comparable to VO Vapen on bespoke build process, safari/big-game customer segment, and traditional European craftsmanship positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Mauser: Historic German firearms brand offering hunting rifles in addition to broader sporting and defense products. Comparable to VO Vapen in the hunting rifle category but operates as a broad incumbent with much wider product portfolios and dealer distribution.
• Beretta: Italian firearms conglomerate producing hunting rifles alongside shotguns, clothing, and accessories globally. Comparable to VO Vapen in hunting firearms and Italian-influenced craftsmanship heritage, but operates at vastly larger scale with dealer-led distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/voartofliving
• Facebookfacebook.com/VO-Vapen-100065370044605

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VO Vapen