The "Von" R9 does it exist?

[Duckfish]

Special R9 being refreshed by Montana tuner Mike Ellingsworth.  Some say the Von is a myth maybe?

a Von R-9 is the rarest  of all and  a highly kept secret among  the traditional air gun world,  most  are either not sure if its  just a rumor that there were indeed 30 made for  Von strudenmister who was a royal German inventor who kept quite about his inventions, it is said he was so inpresed  with the R-9 even at a old  age he had 30  special made with some  of his own designed improvements that today have still not been duplicated and the contract strictly enclosed that all such blue prints be destroyed as well as all records  and files

two other Von R-9 have been reported but never proven to be found


I believe, ...it's out here some where.

[chuckinohio]

  Who was the 'Patrick' that started the thread on the yellow, and how does he play into the 'Strudenmister' mystique? I got the impression that he thought he was getting a chance to buy it.

  You guys were just shining him on weren't you................. 

  Nice R9, mythical, mystical, or otherwise. 

[Duckfish]

I've had the pleasure of knowing Mike and shooting a couple of the guns he has worked on.  Outstanding attention to detail. He always goes the extra mile to do it right. He loves working on Airguns.  I would not hesitate to recommend him.  If you have an ailing beloved gun talk to him.  He has earned an excellent reputation in the community and a very loyal following.  You can PM me for his contact info.


Duck

[ptpalpha]

Classic.  I'm pretty sure that Mike and Ed C. made up the whole thing as a lark. 
Mike's a great guy, we've become friends through our mutual addiction to airguns and working on them.  I've sent him emails at 2am with questions/results of whatever the latest project is, and he's responded immediately from his shop.  It's good to have friends that share your illness, lol.
And Duck is right:  Mike's attention to detail is manic.  His work on the Hatsan springers/gas rams is nothing short of heroic.
-Paul