It struck me that airguns can be divided into two groups when it comes to naming. There are those known just by the manufacturer’s (or sometimes distributor’s) name and a model number, and those that are given a colourful nickname, such as “Titan”, “Hurricane” , “Scorpion” etc. I think the nicknaming idea started in America with the 1876 Champion air pistol but can’t be sure. I was wondering when the idea first caught on in the UK or Germany and what were the first non-US made air rifles and pistols to be nicknamed?

One contender could be the Westley Richards “Highest Possible” pistol I suppose?

Is it my imagination, or were the German manufacturers noticeably reluctant to nickname their products?