Home >> Collecting >> Gun Collecting

19th-Century German Rifle Manufacturers

Throughout the 19th century, Germany's rising economic prowess was well reflected in its firearms industry. But the manufacturers involved in this industry were often more interested in the craftsmanship of their weapons than they were military utility or firepower. Many of the companies that began their journey in that era are still present in the gun market of the 21st century, a testament to their enduring quality and innovation.

Location &History
- The nexus of Germany's gun manufacturing in the 19th century was the city of Suhl located near the Thuringian Forest. It had been so since the late 1400s. Gun production techniques in Germany and elsewhere during the 19th century were vastly affected by the Industrial Revolution and its accompanying processes, and Germany was, at this time, foremost among industrially developing nations. Guns produced in Suhl and throughout Germany were designed for different applications from hunting to dueling to war.
Merkel
- In 1898, the Merkel brothers began manufacturing firearms in Suhl. Their family boasted generations of talented gun makers and engravers, skills that the brothers keenly sought to bring to their new enterprise. In contrast to the rather austere and simplified appearance of military weapons of the period, Merkel attempted to supply "hunting and leisure" rifles of a more ornate and elaborate styling, a weapon they themselves described as a "fine gun." Despite the armament needs induced by two world wars, Merkel never produced military model weapons, opting instead to provide parts only.
Dreyse
- Earlier in the 19th century, German gun manufacturer Dreyse would be instrumental in antiquating the muzzleloading firearms contemporary to that period. This was primarily accomplished through the introduction of the Dreyse Needle Gun. With this weapon, a paper element containing the gunpowder was adhered to an "acorn shaped" bullet and loaded into the breech rather than down the barrel. This allowed soldiers to fire safely from a prone position. Some accounts claim that during the Austro-Prussian War (1866), the Needle Gun was so effective that four or five Austrians perished for every Prussian.
Mauser
- Another German company to ride the momentum of the Industrial Revolution was Mauser Industrial. Mauser, like Merkel, also initially focused on hunting weapons. This was not, however, to be the primary influence on the company's legacy. Instead it was their military rifle that defined them. Production of the 98k Gewehr ("gewehr" means "rifle" in German) began in 1898 and extended well into the 20th century. The 98k became the dominant infantry weapon of the German armed forces throughout both world wars, only to see conversion to hunting models later.

Gun Collecting