Simson Suhl 1933-36

[graf98a]

Thanks for the elaboration Ed, I look forward to your book, - I know of no other Simson book naturally, though I hear Dr. Storz new Gewehr98 book has significant information as it relates to early Simson and their relationship with Saxony/Great War period in particular.
I have yet to buy the book (well over $100! But I hear worth it..), I have a thing for Suhl & Simson in particular as well- interesting you say 5 pages gathered from many sources used with permission? Are these published sources?
From experience I have found little in print on Simson (in English anyway) and hardly more on Suhl besides general outline stuff, - lots of loose ends, especially as it relates to their Modell98 line.
I have queried this elsewhere but during your research did you find any information regarding Suhl firms and their disposition of Modell 98 production facilities? In 1915 (4) Suhl firms were producing the Gewehr98 (undoubtedly through significant collaboration with each other & smaller Suhl firms) CG Haenel, S&S/Sauer, Simson & VCS/Shilling.

In 1919 they all stopped producing the Gew98 (only Haenel of the Suhl mfg are for sure known to have produced in 1919) and I have often wondered where that capacity went in 1921/22 with IMKK snooping around? Could have been hidden, sold to Simson or a foreign government but I have seen nothing to support any such disposition? Cates book touches on S&S/JPS World War II production using much collaboration in their Modell98/98k production (Suhl & Zella-Mehlis) and its seems very odd that so much equipment was available to surrounding firms in the mid 30â??s- all surrounding Simson?? Could this be a result of Simsonâ??s dismemberment? Or remains of Gewehr98 capacity?

A bit off topic for a P08 forum but over the years I have found that cross study of related subjects (MG/pistol/rifle producers) often yield far more results than sticking in your primary field exclusivelyâ?¦ naturally these firms like Simson were deeply involved in much else and their process was often interrelated for efficiency/profitability sake.

Also to give credit where credit is due, much of my speculation came from Cates book, and articles from newsletters written by Steen, Huddle, & Wieringa. Donâ??t want to pilfer their research w/o giving credit.

You ever get to the Albuquerque shows? I live in NE Arizona and would be good to meet a fellow Simson collector- though I collect their rifles more so than their pistols (canâ??t afford their P08â??s!)

Originally posted by Edward Tinker
Yes, I know most of this, as Graham and I are writing the book you mention (unless there is another).


We sat down two weeks ago for a week at my house (he lives in Chicago area, I live in the Denver area) and we finalized the book.

We cover about 5 pages on simson history, which was gathered from many sources and used with permission. There is an interesting new book, mainly on Simson motorcycles, a German made book "Simson Legende" that was interesting.

Much is not known, they did continue to produce weapons, although being "broken" up they were renamed and limited. The MG line evidently stayed in production. Much is not known, as the Simsons and upper management escaped, the company diversified (again) and the DDR took over for 40+ years. So most records were lost or destroyed.

The P08 machinery went to Krieghoff and was used until they made their own, then probably scrapped over time.

The family tried to 'reclaim" their property in Suhl and were either paid a small sum or disallowed (local people always liked the family, nazi officials did not, and the later DDR was probably influenced by other local gun manufacturers, but that is conjecture)

We hope to publish in the next couple of months, those details are being worked out with the publisher (s)...

Ed