Regarding the Krieghoff, all references that I've read say "the old tooling was most likely used as a pattern in preparing the new tooling" (e.g. Gibson, 1988), without further description on how it was accomplished.
It sounds like a reverse engineering process -- use existing worn toolset, measure it's dimention and hardness, setup detailed manufactuering procedure, and make a new toolset. Not unlike how Inglis making HP35 in Canada.
Krieghoff must have the original toolset drawings, and schedule of details. It's hard to believe they did not have those papers. It would be easier to follow those papers than reverse engineering. Why they had to use old tooling (physical? that's my understanding) to guide making new tooling? Or, only physical tools were transferred to them without drawing?
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A wild guess.... Could the toolset be hierachical.... use Master tools to make Working tools, and use Working tools to make guns ?? Master tools could last long long time because they are seldomly used. Worn Working tools can be replaced as needed.
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