Johann Nowotny was born in 1839 as the son of a teacher in Trepin. After an apprenticeship with his uncle (Matthias Nowotny?) In Vienna, he works in Pest and Prague (at Lebeda and Mach). In 1865 he founded his own company in Prague and married in 1867. Many international exhibitions are occupied (eg: Vienna 1866, Prague 1872, Vienna 1873, Paris 1878, Prague 1879, Trieste 1882, Barcelona 1888, Prague 1891 and 1895). He is the supplier of the monarchs of Austria-Hungary, Russia, the Netherlands, Montenegro, Serbia and Italy. He owned many patents, awards and honors. Its importance is also emphasized by a summer office in Karlovy Vary. He died in 1893: “After a long and serious illness.” The company was then continued by his widow Marie until 1899 and then handed over to Anton Novotny (1871-1938). In 1918 the company ‘Zbrojovka Praze’, known for its pistols, was founded from this environment.
Many years ago I had an opportunity to examine a side by side hammer shotgun with “Imman. Meffert- Suhl” on the barrel rib and “J. Nowotny – Prag” on the locks. The following images illustrate that gun. It was later sold by Amoskeag Auctions.
