The editor of our magazine Vladimir Tikhomirov celebrated his 80th anniversary on February 14. Our readers know him by his articles about hunting in Russia and Germany, and about European gunsmiths. But anniversary is the reason to tell about his life outside of hunting world and journalism.
He was born in Moscow in 1940 but soon his family relocated to Kasimovsky district in the Ryazan region. The Great World War II had started in a year.
After finishing school in 1958, he entered Moscow State University of Fine Chemical Technologies named after M.V. Lomonosov. Being on the third year of the University Vladimir chose the diploma’s theme which was devoted to the radiation chemistry. The head of the lab V.D. Orekhov advised him to listen a course of lectures in Fiztech. The practical part of the diploma was done in the lab of Karpov Institute of Physical Chemistry.
Being a students our hero was keen of sports such as gymnastic, athletics, ski, shooting and biathlon. Each time he should have to pass all exams in advance to take part in summer or winter training camps and was also responsible for the sport life in the Institute.
After graduating the University he was assignment to the organization which made researching in the sphere of changes in the structure and performance of materials under the influence of ionizing radiation. All studies were done by the requests of our space and rocket industries. The young scientist needed to study all theoretical, and experimental aspects of the radiation physics that’s why he had no choice but to study the technical translation from English, French and Japanese.
At that time he got acquaintance with the leading scientists such as A.P. Aleksandrov- the President of the Academy of Sciences of USSR, N.N. Semenov- the Director of the Institute of Chemical Physics, G.N. Flerov- the Director of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research and others.
In 1971 he defended his PhD thesis in the chosen field. All his projects were connected with the usage of strong sources of ionizing radiation. Such work allowed him to have two month vacation per year which he spent taking part in the volcanic expeditions or in the hunting trips in different regions. Last twenty five years he hunted with dogs in the Altai Mountains. Several time he even worked as the brigadier with two local hunters. The hunters surrendered production to the state and it gave them the right to buy the rifled weapons.
At the end of 70s he became the Member of the Academic Board of radiation physics of a solid body. He had lots of business trips to different scientific institutes in Russia and Soviet Republics. Vladimir was lucky to take part in variety of projects devoted to problem in the space and rocket industries. In 1984 he joined the scientific team of Karpov Institute of Physical Chemistry, leaded by now late Academic Y.M. Kolotyrkin.
After the state coup he started the cooperation with two others Academic institutes. His income at that time was very low but continued to work thanks to different grants which allowed to survive but required a huge number of paper work.
At the beginning of 2000s he left the science having more than 130 publish scientific articles and 35 certificates and patents.
His love to hunting and nature found the reflection in his articles at the end of 70s when he started to write for the local newspaper. Later in 90s he began to translate hunting articles and joined as the interpreter to the team of the publishing house "Friend”. He has collaborated with many periodical hunting publications during the last years but in 2014 he became the editor of our magazine “ The Magic of Real Safari”.
The Editorial Board congratulates Vladimir Tikhomirov with his 80th anniversary and expresses a special sense of respect. We all wishe him great health, long active years and positive events.
Fabbrica Armi Luciano Bosis, Brescia, Italy
Dear Mr Tikhomirov,
We know that soon will be your 80th birthday. We are writing this letter to send you our birthday wishes and to wish you many years ahead of successful work due to your great professionalism, competence and kindness.
Wish you the best, Luciano Bosis
Gardone V.T. Italia.
Caro amico! Accetta sinceri auguri per il Tuo glorioso anniversario! Per me è sempre stato importante sapere il Tuo giudizio da imparziale specialista con profondo talento di conoscenza ingenieristica che distingue le specifiche di produzione delle armi, e aiuta i lettori a fare la giusta scelta! Voglio augurarti salute, positività e successo nel lavoro.
Für die Firma Peter Hofer Jagdwaffen war und ist es immer wieder eine sehr große Herausforderung, sich mit ihren einzigartigen Kreationen weltweit in den unterschiedlichsten Kulturkreisen zu etablieren. Die Mentalität und die Jagdgepflogenheiten des jeweiligen Landes standen für uns bei der Kreation unserer erlesenen handgearbeiteten Jagdwaffen stets im Vordergrund. Bereits seit dem Jahr 2000 ist die Firma Peter Hofer Jagdwaffen für viele sehr versierte Jäger und Sammler in Russland tätig. Schon zu Beginn seiner Präsenz in Russland hatte Peter Hofer das Glück, Vladimir Tikhomirov kennenzulernen und hat in all den Jahren ein sehr freundschaftliches, fast väterliches Verhältnis zu ihm aufgebaut.
Für Peter Hofer gilt Vladimir als wohl der am besten informierte Jäger in Punkto Waffen und Waffensysteme. Herr Tikhomirov wird daher von Peter Hofer immer wieder zu Rate gezogen, wenn es darum geht, seine Texte in ein fachlich korrektes Russisch zu übersetzen. Oft ist es so, dass gewisse Fachbegriffe in anderen Sprachen nicht existieren und daher umschrieben werden müssen, oft wird sogar der deutsche Begriff verwendet.
Der Wissensdrang von Vladimir ist ebenso grandios wie einzigartig. Wenn er uns in Ferlach besucht, ist er immer bestrebt, sein waffentechnisches Wissen zu erweitern und kommt aus dem Fragen häufig nicht mehr heraus. Jedes Mal, wenn ich ihn treffe, erfüllt es mich schon beim Händedruck und der Umarmung mit Dankbarkeit, denn ohne Vladimir Tikhomirov hätten die Leser unserer Artikel nicht so viel Klarheit über die komplexe Welt der Waffentechnik erlangt.
Wir beten zu Gott, dass Vladimir mindestens noch einmal so alt wird und wir ihn noch sehr lange als tollen Freund und Lektor an unserer Seite haben, um dem hoch interessierten russischen Jäger auch weiterhin von unseren handgefertigten Kunstwerken berichten zu können.
Wir wünschen Vladimir Tikhomirov auf diesem Wege alles erdenklich Gute zu seinem bevorstehenden 80. Geburtstag und bedanken uns für seine langjährige Freundschaft.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Hofer Peter
It’s not easy for any company to open new markets with different cultures. But we always take into account the hunting traditions and the mentality of the country for which we produce our handmade production. We started to work with Russian hunters and collectors from 2000s. And from that time I was lucky to get acquaintance with Vladimir Tikhonov. Over the years, we became more than friends.
He is the most qualified hunting expert, who knows most of hunting systems. I always consult with him when need to make the correct translation to the Russian language. He's one of the few, who understand how the weapon works and can explain it to readers.
I can explain his unique knowledge by excellent technical education and his passion to arms. He is open to the new knowledge in this sphere. Each time I welcome him with gratitude because he helps our readers to understand clearly the most difficult aspects concerning to the hunting arms.
I pray to the God that Vladimir will live at least as long and stayed my friend. I wish him great health and thanks to our longtime friendship.
Your friend Peter Hofer.
Our first meeting with Vladimir Tikhomirov, which happened several years ago, influenced me much. I realized that met the very experienced hunter who travelled all around Russia and was impressed by his rich inner world. He is the real collector and the keeper of the best we have in Russian culture and nature. Unfortunately the man in our modern life is far from the Nature and Vladimir is the best example of the man who not only knows much about it but respect it and can use its’ gifts. He is the expert in picking up wild plant, has deep knowledge about wildlife and vegetation. His respectful attitude to all life on the Earth is in his nature. I can characterize his treatment to the Nature just by one word “Do no harm”. You can listen to his stories endlessly and someday I want to read the book which will be devoted to him. Please accept my heartiest anniversary congratulations. I wish you great health and luck.
Valentin Pazhetnov.
My Dear Vladimir Sergeevich!
We sincerely congratulate You on your anniversary and wish great health, endless energy, optimism and new plans!
I couldn’t but admire your articles and deep knowledge of the hunting arms’ theme.
Thanks to God I met you! I cherish our friendship and your support.
Respectfully yours Ludmila Vlasaeva on behalf of the team of Schools of gunsmithing. L. Vaseva.
First time I met Vladimir Tikhomirov was in 2006, on the high-precision shooting competition, organized by the Safari Club. I read his articles before but never met him personally. I know him as a highly qualified specialist in the hunting arms sphere. I know him as the experienced hunter, who fluently speaks several foreign languages, including German- the language of teh country where all leading arms industry is concentrated. He personally know the most of European gunsmiths. Not lots of people can boast of such a " portfolio” but at the same time he is one of the modest people I’ve ever met. I enjoy each times when can talk to you because each our conversation is useful and gives me a lot.
Eighty year is the age of early wisdom, that’s why I wish you long life and great health.
Michael Dragunov- the leading structural engineer of the Izhevsk mechanical plant, honored scientist of the Udmurt Republic.
One of the most experienced and well-known gunsmith Vladimir Tikhomirov celebrated his 80th anniversary on February 14, 2020. We happily join to the congratulations and wish him great health, interesting projects and hundreds of exciting articles.
Editorial Board of the magazine “ Kalashnikov»
Many years ago I invited Vladimir Tikhomirov to be the expert in my hunting program on the radio “ Radio of Russia”. To say that our broadcast was bright and interesting would be an understatement. We all listened to his stories about the past, about adventures and hunters life in the Siberia or Kamchatka’s expeditions in a one breath, not to mention his memories about friends and colleagues, the world-class gunsmiths. I could tell a lot about him as about a family man, an experienced hunter who saw a lot, about the patriot who loves his Motherland or about the scientist who worked for the good of his country. But all these description could be united in one phase, he is the GOOD MAN. I’m grateful to Providence that could meet such a GOOD MAN as he is!
I wish you great health, success in all your projects and one more thing which we always say in our hunting world “Best luck!”
Respectfully yours Nikolay Mamulashvili, the political commentator of Radio Russia, author and host of the program " Hunting luck!»
There is hardly to find the more open minded, curios person than Vladimir Tikhonov. Probably these features of the character helped him to become one of the best hunting arms expert in Russia. His professional knowledge makes a strong impression. This man is a walking encyclopedia
All his articles are filled with love to Nature and men. Probable the time, he spent in Altai helped him to find the life harmony and at the same time he is very modest and friendly.
His activity as the hunting expert influenced Russian hunting magazines. The most worth is the series of the articles published in the magazine ‘The Magic of the Real Safari”, where he describes his hunting experience, opens a deep layer of modern history, introduces his inner world, full of love and respect for all living things. He is the real Hunter in the best meaning of this word.
Dear Vladimir Sergeevich! We thank you your high appreciation of our job and production and congratulate you with 80th anniversary! We wish you long life!
Daniela Fanzoy, vice-president of “Johann Fanzoj” company!
Dear Vladimir! I congratulate your with your anniversary! I really value our cooperation and enjoy our communication. I wish you great health, success and reliable partners!
Respectfully yours Osvaldo Manzoni.
