Chamber proofs on a 1916 navy

Vlim · 03-18-2004, 08:16 AM

Hi,

I doubt that DWM bothered to send a luger to be tested in Belgium during WW1. DWM even had a large interest (partial ownership) in Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre in Herstal, Belgium and expected to continue producing arms at the FN plant after the Germans invaded Belgium in 1914.

The Belgians downright refused to produce for Germany and DWM shipped out the FN production machinery to Germany so production (mainly of the K98, which FN made in license) would continue there. FN was reduced to a material repair shop (mainly bikes and vehicles) until their machinery were returned in 1919.

DWM were quite crossed that they had to hand over 'their' machinery to the allies in 1919, since they had virtually complete ownership of these machines because of their considerate financial interest in FN. They also lost their FN shares as a result of the Versailles treaty, along with ownership of several other foreign companies, like a French ballbearing factory they had set up there.

Moveover, DWM's test equipment was rated as the best possible in those days and DWM produced and sold production and testing equipment to several countries. DWM did not need, in any way, the assistance of other countries for testing.

03-18-2004, 08:16 AM	#21
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	Hi, I doubt that DWM bothered to send a luger to be tested in Belgium during WW1. DWM even had a large interest (partial ownership) in Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre in Herstal, Belgium and expected to continue producing arms at the FN plant after the Germans invaded Belgium in 1914. The Belgians downright refused to produce for Germany and DWM shipped out the FN production machinery to Germany so production (mainly of the K98, which FN made in license) would continue there. FN was reduced to a material repair shop (mainly bikes and vehicles) until their machinery were returned in 1919. DWM were quite crossed that they had to hand over 'their' machinery to the allies in 1919, since they had virtually complete ownership of these machines because of their considerate financial interest in FN. They also lost their FN shares as a result of the Versailles treaty, along with ownership of several other foreign companies, like a French ballbearing factory they had set up there. Moveover, DWM's test equipment was rated as the best possible in those days and DWM produced and sold production and testing equipment to several countries. DWM did not need, in any way, the assistance of other countries for testing.