Success Stories

A HELIA scope, lost on a hunt in the Austrian Alps in the 1970s, was now found again - after almost 30 decades. Technically in perfect condition...

What one might consider being the longest environmental testing of a riflescope in history just recently came finally to an end: A KAHLES Helia Super 6x42, lost in high mountain regions in the late 70s, was refound in technical perfect condition.
Result: Test passed in superior style.

Late September 1977 on his stalk on Chamoix a Jaegermeister (Professional Hunter) from Southern Austrian Carinthia climbed ‘Kometeralpe’, a pitoresque 2.500 Meters mountain.
Just underneath the summit, in an elevation of around 2.300 Meters the PH took a strong doe, rested his Mannlicher Luxus 6,5x57 against a rock and ascended up to where the game fell in the fire. After fielddressing, on his way down, the Jaegermeister returned to the spot where he believed that the rifle was leaning against the rock. The PH spent all afternoon searching, but unfortunately was unable finding his gear.
The following days and weeks after, the PH regularly returned to the place searching for his rifle. Without any trace...

Weeks, months, years, decades passed. Far above the timber-line rifle and optics rested upright against the rock, defying the harsh elements of nature in this elevation: Summerheat and dust, followed by strong storms, heavy showers, ice and snow.

Almost three decades later Hannes, a young Jaegermeister from Obervellach, a small village not far from the scenerie, ascended ‘Kometeralpe’ stalking on chamoix. Not far below the summit he spotted a yearling, Hannes took aim and shot. The game fell in the fire and dropped a few meters down the slope.

Hannes ascended to the yearling making an amazing discovery: Next to the chamoix, just barely standing out against the grey stone, an old rifle in miserable condition was resting against the rock. The stock rotten and bleached by the elements, all steel parts rusted throughout – a sad shadow of what used to be a hunter’s pride decades ago.

When Hannes glanced through the HELIA scope he could not believe his eyes: Image qualitities of a modern riflescope in showroom condition, with a crosshair standing out crisp and clear against the sharp, brilliant and extremely bright image. The steel surfaces were rusty, yet all aluminum parts were unharmed.
Hannes read the inscription on the ocular tube: K.KAHLES WIEN, HELIA Super 6 S2, Nr.179075
All mechanical parts, both elevation and windage still worked perfectly. Under extreme conditions the HELIA scope had stayed waterproof over decades.

After clarification concerning property KAHLES was able to purchase the discovered rifle.
X-ray analysis showed it was loaded and cocked but on safety. The action was seized up by corrosion and had to be made movable after burning the powder in the chamber.

The found object is currently being displayed at all major shows. The HELIA scope still is untouched as it was discovered after decades in the high mountain regions.
Truly a solid piece of evidence for the extreme reliability of fine Austrian optics.