Sad news today in my local paper that Dietrich Apel has passed away, age 87.

Sad day indeed.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

http://www.vnews.com/Dietrich-Apel-Obituary-Meriden-NH-5700259

Lifted verbiage below:

"Meriden, N.H. — Dietrich Kurt Albert Apel, 87, longtime resident of Meriden, passed away Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016.

Dietrich was born on May 14, 1929 in Berlin, Germany and spent most of his childhood in Suhl, Thuringia. As a child and young adult he enjoyed the naturally mountainous terrain of his hometown and spent many hours hiking in the woods. He also occupied his time assisting and apprenticing in his grandfather, Franz Jaeger’s, gunsmithing shop, an experience which would ultimately lead to a lifelong career as a gunsmith and stockmaker.

World War II and the subsequent Russian occupation of East Germany was an especially difficult period which Dietrich remembered with mixed emotions. He ultimately managed to reach West Germany where he worked for the American Air Force at the Wiesbaden Gun Club and started a new gunsmithing shop with his uncle, Kurt Jaeger. Eventually Dietrich received a visa allowing him to work for his uncle, Paul Jaeger, in the Philadelphia area. After his marriage to Eva Apel (née Sethe), the two emigrated to the United states in 1952 to start a new life.

For the next few years, Dietrich worked on perfecting his gunsmithing craft. Despite experiencing the common plight of the impoverished and overworked immigrant, he did his best to enjoy his own version of the American Dream, which included the joyful births of his son and daughter. His career eventually took him to the Sturm, Ruger Company in Newport, N.H. After leaving New England for other business ventures, he ultimately settled in the Upper Valley area. Dietrich was enchanted by New Hampshire’s landscape and mountains, which reminded him strongly of his childhood in Germany. He decided to open his own business, New England Custom Gun Service, Ltd., in Meriden, N.H. where he helped build his own home and spent the remainder of his life.

Dietrich was passionate about sharing the history of German Hunting Guns and their makers. After retirement, he founded the German Gun Collectors Association for which he produced and edited a number of Journals (available at the Philip Read Memorial Library in Plainfield, N.H.), including authoring many articles and providing most of the photography. He also led numerous tour groups to Germany, and answered thousands of inquiries regarding German hunting guns. Later, he established his own educational website, www.germanhuntingguns.com, where he sought to make an easily-accessible resource for those interested.

In the last decade Dietrich found most of his joy in nature, and navigating the many woodland trails and roads of the Meriden and Lebanon areas provided him endless hours of enjoyment, which included meeting and chatting with various people along the way. The family would appreciate that any remembrances of those who crossed Dietrich’s path in this capacity be sent to allison.klosi@gmail.com. Other than his daily walks, he took pleasure in the Upper Valley’s many offerings of opera, symphonies, and classical music concerts. He was always looking to be useful, and enjoyed performing various volunteer jobs around the area. Family was important to Dietrich, and he spent a good deal of time working on family projects and providing a festive space for family gatherings.

Having faced much adversity in his lifetime, Dietrich resolved numerous near-insurmountable problems. He remained a problem-solver to the last, and is now at peace.

Dietrich leaves behind his wife, Eva Apel; daughter, Christine Apel-Cram; son, Peter Apel; granddaughter, Allison Klosi and husband Edvin Klosi; granddaughter, Sarah Cram and partner Troy Heath; grandaughter, Jennifer Apel; and good friend, Richard Clogston. Many thanks to special friends who have supported Dietrich throughout the years.

Those wishing to make memorial donations are encouraged to consider the American Precision Museum P.O. Box 679, Windsor, VT 05089 (where Dietrich would love for you to visit!), or The Upper Valley Trails Alliance P.O. Box 1215, Norwich, VT 05055.

True to Dietrich’s preferences, a small celebration of life, with date to be determined, will be held for family and close friends."




Cheers,

Raimey
rse

Many thanks VintageProf for the acknowledgement.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

May he rest in peace.

This news is heartbreaking. Dietrich was a very nice man and a treasure to everyone with a love for German guns. I regret I never met him "face to face", but we did have long telephone conversations. He was so full of information, you didn't want to hang up, and an hour seemed to be 10 minutes.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Mike

Sad Indeed:
I don't remember ever talking to him but his wealth of knowledge was immense. RIP!
Jim

We've lost a fine gentleman and a valuable asset to the gun world. I truly enjoyed my interactions with Dietrich, and he was always willing to share his infinite knowledge.

I remember he and Jack Rowe walking into our tent at the Vintage Cup in New York. I looked at some friends in the tent and told them that more gun knowledge than they could imagine had just entered the tent. Both men hesitantly accepted the praise and then proceeded to prove the statement as they looked over the guns on display.

I never had the pleasure of meeting this legend in the gunsmithing and fine gun collecting world, but I thank you, Raimey, for sharing these telling details with us. R.G. Owen, Augustus Pachmayr,Josef Fugger, Jack Rowe, and now Dietrich-- a true loss to the world of fine guns.

Dietrich as a teenager in Germany


Dietrich & Family


Dietrich @ Wiesbaden Rod & Gun Club


Dietrich @ workbench


Dietrich in Suhl @ 2008 parade


Dietrich @ Old Sauer facility where he used to make deliveries on his bicycle with his rucksack in tow.


Dietrich w/ a GGCA framed Suhler Waffenkunst poster-(Vintagers?).

Many thanks to the source of the images.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

A true loss for all of us. He was so willing to share all he knew with us, whether over the phone , through his web pages or in person.
Rest in peace friend.

Sad news.

A good man and valuable firearms resource has left us.

Dietrich, was an eclectic expert who helped me out with a German gun on more than one occasion. He was generous with his knowledge and a true gentleman.

He will be missed.

RIP

Dietrich Apel w/ Uncle Paul Jaeger


It is assumed this image is from the 1970s per the stylish pants. I wonder if Dietrich & Payne Stewart had the same tailor? Several actions/triggers & have a gander at that wood.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

Lots of great expressions of respect from those who knew him. Great pictures as well. This thread should be copied over in the "Silent Doubles" forum...Geo

The poster was presented to the museum in Suhl, the above photo was taken there, not at Vintagers. Note the cobblestone pavement and the signs in the background.
Mike

Dietrich was also a founding member of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild. It was through this organization I met and became conversant with him. His ready smile and conversation on gunmaking/stockmaking were very helpful and he will be missed. Through his encouragement, I became a member of the German Gun Collectors Association. I learned a lot from his sharing.

A true loss. Mr. Apel was a real gentleman and very willing to share his knowledge and experience. He will be deeply missed.

I spent an hour with Dietrich Apel at my first Vintagers some years ago. He was quite intrigued by my Nimrod drilling, said he had never seen one quite like it and took the time to explain it's peculiarities to me in depth. Lovely man, condolences to his family and friends.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

After taking a tour of the Merkel facility, Dietrich went to a local shooting range where he bumped into Kim Rhode.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

Dietrich Apel visiting the graves of fallen comrades that were killed in an escape attempt from a Nazi camp.


Dietrich Apel visiting the site of the Schilling forge where the stamp of a S in a chevron originated.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

Dietrich Apel w/ Merkel's Master engraver. Anyone know his full name?


Dietrich Apel w/ Steve Fjestad @ Coburg Castle.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

Raimey, thanks for posting these. I never had a chance to communicate with Mr Apel but my interest in German (and other Continental) guns certainly made me aware of his contribution. Nice to see him honoured.

Canvasback, indeed. Dietrich Apel gave it all for the cause. Unequivocally, no single person prior, nor anyone post will have contributed more to the efforts of preserving the heritage of Austrian & German sporting arms than Dietrich Apel. My hope is that he was able to completely pen his own family story.


Dietrich Apel conducing a meeting @ a typical Vintagers event.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

Few know of his employment for a short time in Grand Junction, TN at Dunn's. I met him briefly there while John Allen was over their gun dept. under the Paul Jaeger banner.

They had an open house one Saturday and Judy and I went. I ordered an Arrieta 557 20 ga. from them that had a semi-beavertail, semi-pistol grip, double triggers and a checkered butt. Where it is today I have no idea.
JR

John: About what time frame? Thanks for the tid-bit of info. Did John Allen then move on to Belle Meade, Tennessee?

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

A true gentleman. May he rest in peace.

Somewhere around 1984-5 I'm guessing, Raimey. John went on to open Gamefair Ltd in Nashville with Neal Craig.
JR

Many thanks to the effort by Larry Schuknecht for the tribute to Dietrich Apel in the Spring 2017 edition of DGJ as well as his effort to maintain the website. Lovely to see said tribute in print & now I'm not sure which will best stand the test of time; this electronic thread or the DGJ printed text. But regardless, at least there is a minute accolade for the grand effort by Dietrich.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

ellenbr,
The gentleman pictured with Mr. Apel is Olaf Weiss who has 40 years as a Merkel engraver. The past master engraver was Gerhard Liebscher. I believe the current master engraver for Merkel is Bernd Ludwig. I have two Merkels that were engraved by Mr. Liebscher that are beautiful examples of Merkels engraving.
Karl

Lovely to see an article by Dietrich Apel on page 133 Autumn 2017(current) issue of DGJ(& Singleshot) detailing the Merkel Paragon. Either it was in the queue or many thanks to whomever pushed it.


Cheers,

Raimey
rse

Me too.
Mike