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Vlim · 12-23-2007, 07:38 AM

FN issued 8000 shares, 6000 preference shares and 2000 ordinary shares.
By 1896, when DWM was formed, Loewe transferred the ownership of 5850 shares to DWM. This seems to indicate that Loewe/DWM did not own 20% of FN shares, but more than 73% of the shares.

On the 12th of March, 1919, the DWM owned shares were transferred to the Union Financiere et Industrielle Liegeoise (UFI). So technically speaking DWM's ownership of and influence on a large part of FN ended on that day in 1919.

But the unofficial links between the companies (DWM, Mauser, Vickers and FN) remained and history shows that these companies not only found themselves in court over patent disputes (like Vickers and DWM or Mauser and FN, etc..), but also in close cooperation.

Vickers assembled a number of Dutch KNIL revolvers, the quality was so bad that FN stepped in and reworked them.
DWM produced the Maxim machinegun under license from Vickers.
FN produced the Mauser M89 under license from Mauser.
Vickers assembled a batch of Dutch KNIL lugers.
The Loewe brothers were on the boards of DWM, Mauser, Vickers and FN.
Albert Vickers even had a seat on the board of Loewe.

So from history's point of view it's best to look at these companies as one large family. Not fierce competitors.

12-23-2007, 07:38 AM	#19
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,990 Times in 1,205 Posts	FN issued 8000 shares, 6000 preference shares and 2000 ordinary shares. By 1896, when DWM was formed, Loewe transferred the ownership of 5850 shares to DWM. This seems to indicate that Loewe/DWM did not own 20% of FN shares, but more than 73% of the shares. On the 12th of March, 1919, the DWM owned shares were transferred to the Union Financiere et Industrielle Liegeoise (UFI). So technically speaking DWM's ownership of and influence on a large part of FN ended on that day in 1919. But the unofficial links between the companies (DWM, Mauser, Vickers and FN) remained and history shows that these companies not only found themselves in court over patent disputes (like Vickers and DWM or Mauser and FN, etc..), but also in close cooperation. Vickers assembled a number of Dutch KNIL revolvers, the quality was so bad that FN stepped in and reworked them. DWM produced the Maxim machinegun under license from Vickers. FN produced the Mauser M89 under license from Mauser. Vickers assembled a batch of Dutch KNIL lugers. The Loewe brothers were on the boards of DWM, Mauser, Vickers and FN. Albert Vickers even had a seat on the board of Loewe. So from history's point of view it's best to look at these companies as one large family. Not fierce competitors.