December 3, 2024
People have tried to create the perfect weapon since their first days of existence. At first, it was pretty primitive and was used exclusively for obtaining food and protection from predators and ill-wishers. However, its gradual improvement made it possible to obtain firearms in the 12th century. Over time, the need for it only increased, so the arms industry became one of the key ones on all continents. It was most developed in Europe. In the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, dozens of companies were created that have stood the test of time and today have become truly legendary. Their weapons are standard, which became available thanks to many years of production experience and the skill of gunsmiths. Our article will tell you about the most legendary European companies whose rifles, guns and pistols are admired worldwide.
SIG Sauer (Switzerland)
The list of legendary gun manufacturers always includes the Swiss SIG Sauer. This company was founded in 1853. It had a different name and specialized in producing carriages for various purposes. However, the engineering talent of its founders allowed them to develop the Prelaz-Burnand rifle in 1859. It turned out to be so successful that within a few years, it became the primary weapon of the Swiss military. This event forced the carriage manufacturer to switch to the production of rifles completely. The appropriate equipment was purchased, and the name was changed to Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (abbreviated SIG).
Until the middle of the next century, the Swiss focused on producing their rifles and hunting rifles of various types. However, after WWII ended, they presented the SIG P210 pistol to the public. It received many good reviews and was adopted by the Swiss army in 1949. The main advantage of this weapon was its increased accuracy and reliability, which made it one of the best in Europe. In the 70s, the Swiss government passed a law that severely limited weapons companies and did not allow them to enter the international market. This could only be done with a foreign partner, so SIG was sold to Hämmerli, JP Sauer, and Sohn. As a result, the company received the name SIG Sauer and changed Switzerland to Germany.
Under the new brand, the company began to produce many pistols. They were an improved version of the SIG P210 and were sold in different countries worldwide. The first model imported to the United States was the SIG Sauer P220. This pistol had the same reliable design as its predecessor but had even higher accuracy. In the 80s, SIG Sauer released one of its most famous weapons. It was the semi-automatic P226 pistol that quickly conquered the whole world. It was available in various calibers, so law enforcement officers and military personnel could choose the best option independently.
In the 80s and 90s, SIG Sauer began to actively open subsidiaries. They appeared in Germany, the USA and other countries where weapons were in demand among the military and civilians. This event made the company one of the world leaders in annual sales. In the 21st century, SIG Sauer began to expand its range. It included new types of weapons (for example, pneumatic) and various additions to them (ammunition, silencers, etc.).
Among the most popular models of our time are the P365 and P320. The first pistol is intended for police and civilians. Its maximum compactness distinguishes it, so it is suitable for concealed carry. It is also characterized by lightness, two magazines for ten rounds each and ease of use. The P320 is used for the needs of the US Army. It has become a suitable replacement for the outdated M9 and has received many unique additions. In particular, it can be easily adapted to cartridges of different calibers. To do this, you only need to replace the barrel, which even a beginner can do. Another SIG Sauer weapon used today in the US Army is the XM7 rifle. This powerful modern weapon can penetrate even the walls of buildings and hit targets located behind them. It works effectively with various thermal imaging optics and night vision sights, which makes it highly versatile.
Heckler & Koch (Germany)
The German company with the memorable name H&K (Heckler & Koch) deserves a place among the legendary arms manufacturers. It appeared at the very end of 1949 in the city of Oberndorf am Neckar, which, after the end of WWII, became controlled by France. At that time, the troops of this country destroyed almost everything related to the arms industry, which had previously flourished thanks to the Mauser plant. Thanks to the efforts of Edmund Heckler and Theodor Koch, it was possible to save some equipment and essential data, which later allowed to open a new enterprise. Initially, it was engaged in manufacturing machine tools and other similar equipment. All products were manufactured under the Heckler & Co brand, which in 1949 was replaced by Heckler & Koch.
H&K began to create weapons in 1956. Then, the company presented the G3 rifle and won a tender for the supply of weapons for the German army. This event forever changed Heckler & Koch and allowed its management to find the most promising direction for development. In 1959, the G3 rifle became the primary rifle in the Bundeswehr, and 2 years later, the HK21 model was created on its basis. This reliable and easy-to-use machine gun quickly became famous worldwide and is still used by the armies of some countries today. By the end of the next decade, Heckler & Koch released the HK54 and HK33. The latter was an assault rifle adapted to NATO standards.
In the 1970s, Heckler & Koch significantly expanded its range of weapons. Now, it has produced models for a wide variety of purposes, which has made the company popular not only among military personnel but also among civilians. Heckler & Koch created high-quality hunting rifles and specialized sports weapons for the latter. In the 1980s, the company gradually improved its products and adapted them to users' needs.
In the 1990s, Heckler & Koch began developing new pistol and assault rifle models for the Bundeswehr. The work was completed by the middle of the decade. Thus, in 1994, the HK50 pistol was adopted by the German army, and in 1995, the G36 rifle. The latter was made of carbon fiber, which was modern then, making it as light and durable as possible. It was also adapted for different types of day and night optics, significantly expanding its application range.
In the late 90s and early 21st century, Heckler & Koch changed its owner many times. However, even this event did not affect the company's reputation and the popularity of its products. In 2004, it received one of the most significant orders in the history of the arms industry. H&K was to manufacture 65 thousand pistols for American law enforcement agencies according to its terms. The work was done flawlessly, so the company received a profit of more than 25 million dollars for one order. The cooperation with the Americans continued with an order to produce a new assault rifle, HK416. It turned out to be unique due to a proprietary gas piston mechanism system, which was taken from the G36 and adapted for use on modern weapons. HK416 was manufactured for standard NATO calibers (5.56 and 7.62) and was used for military purposes.
Today, Heckler & Koch continues to produce weapons for military personnel of various armies worldwide. The company also specializes in creating models intended for law enforcement and civilians. H&K products are most popular in the United States, so a subsidiary company and branches in several states were opened there.
Beretta (Italy)
One of the most famous weapons companies in the world is the Italian Beretta. It appeared in the 16th century in the Province of Brescia and, at that time, was engaged in metallurgical activities. In parallel with this, it manufactured design elements of various types of weapons. So, in 1526, the company's founder, Bartolomeo Beretta, received an order to produce 185 barrels of arquebuses. This event marked the beginning of the official history of the oldest weapons brand. For many decades, Beretta produced only barrels and other parts of weapons. It did it qualitatively, leading to its becoming one of the leaders in the region and the entire republic.
The modern history of the Italian manufacturer begins in the 20th century. In 1903, the company was transferred to Pietro Beretta, the first to establish serial production of various hunting weapons. During the WWI, Beretta began to produce pistols actively. Its M15 model was used everywhere and became a real weapon symbol of that time. In 1918, the Italian company created the world's first submachine gun M1918. Several armies also adopted it and received recognition in different countries thanks to its reliability, accuracy, and ease of use.
Before WWII, Beretta continued to produce pistols and some rifle models. During the war, the German army captured the company's factories. At that time, all Beretta products served the Wehrmacht and helped win essential battles. After the capitulation of Germany, the Italian company resumed its independent work. Due to various circumstances, the quality of its weapons deteriorated significantly, but gradually, the leaders managed to return Beretta to its previous position. This became possible thanks to the release of the BM-59 model. This rifle was ahead of even the M14 in most characteristics, so it went down in the history of the arms industry as one of the best in its period.
Having recovered from the effects of WWII, Beretta began to expand its range. It included firearms for the police and ordinary citizens of Italy. Until the 70s, the company did not change its development strategy. It continued to produce weapons for various purposes, so it always received good profits and stayed afloat even in the most challenging periods of its history. 1975, Beretta developed its first semi-automatic pistol from the legendary Beretta 92 series. It was highly durable and reliable, so the military and police actively used it. All subsequent models of this series were also close to ideal, which allowed the company to reach a new level of its activities.
An excellent financial position allowed Beretta to start absorbing competitors in the 80s. The company acquired several prestigious Italian and foreign weapons manufacturers by the decade's end. Also during this period, Beretta entered the North American market. Its Beretta 92 series pistols alternately became service weapons for American soldiers and gained popularity among the civilian population. In the 21st century, the Italian company has continued its operations in different countries worldwide. In 2009, it received a large order to produce M9 pistols (as the Beretta 92 models were called in the USA). These weapons stood out for their robust construction, allowing even beginners to shoot with maximum accuracy.
Today, Beretta continues to be one of the world’s leaders in the world market. It owns several well-known weapons companies and produces a wide variety of weapons that soldiers of several armies worldwide and law enforcement officers use. Beretta also offers a vast selection of hunting rifles and sporting models. The latter are considered the best in the world today and are used by many professional athletes.
Glock (Austria)
You can become a legendary arms company even with a narrow specialization. This was demonstrated by the Austrian Glock, which produced pistols for various purposes. The company was founded in 1963 in Deutsch-Wagram. At that time, it was headed by a married couple, Gaston and Helga Glock, who jointly addressed various issues and organized the weapons production process. Initially, the company was called Glock KG, but in 1981, it was renamed Glock GmbH. This date is often considered the official birthday of the brand.
Almost immediately after the renaming, the company released its first pistol. It was the Glock 17 caliber 9x19 mm. The barrel and breechblock of this model were made of metal, and the remaining parts were made of plastic. Thanks to the latter, the model was as light and easy to use as possible. Despite this, it withstood up to 300 thousand shots and, in this indicator, was significantly ahead of all competitors of that time. Under the name P80, the Glock 17 pistol was supplied to the armed forces of Austria, where it served as a standard firearm.
In the mid-80s, Glock products attracted the interest of the famous entrepreneur Karl Walter. He sold weapons in the United States and suggested that the Austrian company do the same. In 1985, Glock announced the opening of a branch in the United States. Thanks to Karl Walter's help, the Glock 17 quickly became popular in America. The pistol was inexpensive there, so thousands of country citizens happily bought it. Success in the United States helped Glock begin supplying its weapons to various countries in North America and Europe. This improved the company's position and made it one of the leaders in its field. In parallel with this, Glock was engaged in producing various components. The company also produced holsters for pistols and field knives. The strengths and durability distinguish the latter, which is why the Austrian army actively uses them.
Today, Glock produces pistols for several world armies. Austrian and Norwegian military personnel, in particular, use these weapons. The company's modern models are also the primary pistols used by the German, Austrian, American, and London police. Sales of Glock models in the US alone amount to 300,000 units per year. In European countries, these figures are slightly lower, but they are also among the best on the continent.
Benelli (Italy)
The Italian arms manufacturer from Urbino certainly deserves the status of a legendary company. It was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, Benelli exclusively produced motorcycles and various parts for them. Only in the 1920s did the company's managers begin to look for alternative ways to earn money and try their hand at making weapons. They assembled a double-barreled shotgun with an external trigger, which they tested and used for personal purposes. This weapon did not go on sale. In the following years, Benelli created a 12-gauge semiautomatic at their motorcycle company. Its frame was made of a special aluminum-based alloy, which caused the weight to be significantly less than that of similar models from other manufacturers. Two years later, a 16-gauge shotgun was created. All the listed weapons were prototypes, and their mass production was never launched.
In the early 60s, Benelli began developing a unique inertial system that would make it possible to move away from using a traditional gas mechanism. This work continued for seven long years until 1967 when the Italian company released the Benelli 121. This event became the official date of the legendary brand's creation. The Benelli 121 was a self-loading shotgun produced in 12 and 20 calibers. It used a proprietary inertial mechanism, which made it possible to fire five shots per second. According to this indicator, the Benelli 121 was significantly ahead of its competitors and considered the fastest globally. This weapon is regarded as the best semi-automatic model ever created.
In the 70s, Benelli improved its weapons, and each time, it released higher quality, faster-firing, and more reliable models. Many semi-automatics were created based on the Benelli 121. The most famous were the SL80 series models. There were four types, each with its characteristics and strengths. In the mid-70s, Benelli began to expand its presence in Europe. In particular 1975, a company was opened in Spain, where the Italians produced their popular weapons. In the 80s of the last century, the company released several rifles dedicated to various events and famous people. They did not become trendy, but once again helped remind Europe of the existence of Benelli. The 80s were also characterized by a change in the company's owners. In 1983, Benelli was sold to Beretta Holdings, which had much more significant financial capabilities and sought to absorb all competitors in the Italian arms market.
After the change in management, Benelli received suitable financing, thanks to which, in the 90s, it was able to open a subsidiary in the United States. This event made it possible to make the weapons of the Italian brand popular outside of Europe. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Benelli M4 Super 90 smoothbore shotgun became the main one for the United States Marine Corps. It conquered the Marines with its reliability and ability to work effectively in the most extreme conditions. The company and its US subsidiary remain part of the Beretta holding company. Both manufacture weapons for various purposes and sell them worldwide.
FN Herstal (Belgium)
The Belgian arms company FN Herstal is known all over the world. It produces various types of firearms, which are considered to be among the best not only in Europe but also on the entire planet. The manufacturer began its activity in 1889. The small and quiet town of Herstal was chosen as the location for the headquarters, which gave the company its name. Unlike many other manufacturers, FN Herstal has been manufacturing combat weapons since its first days. Its first order was 150 thousand Mauser M1889 rifles, which the Belgian government planned to use for various country needs. They were manufactured quickly and efficiently, which gave the company a good profit and the opportunity to start producing its weapons. FN Herstal's cooperation with John Browning, a famous gunsmith, also contributed to this.
Due to the lack of military orders, at the beginning of the 20th century, the Belgian company produced mainly weapons for hunting. This created unfavorable financial conditions and forced FN Herstal to expand its product range. Thus 1900, the first FN cars, motorcycles and trucks appeared. They were produced for several decades but never became extremely popular. In parallel with this, the company continued to make weapons. The most famous model of this period was the FN Model 1910 pistol. It was developed by John Browning, and its design used a trigger mechanism that could be found in various American Browning models. This pistol was produced in two standard calibers and, depending on this, had a magazine for 6 or 7 rounds.
During WWII, Belgium was occupied by Germany. The factories where FN Herstal manufactured its weapons fell into the hands of the Germans. After that, right up until the liberation of Belgium, they produced pistols and rifles for the Wehrmacht army. The weapons were manufactured 24/7, so almost 365 thousand FN Browning Model 1922 and Browning Hi-Power pistols were made in 4 years. At that time, such enormous production volumes, so a kind of record was set. After the end of the war, FN Herstal forgot about weapons for a while and switched to the production of parts for military aircraft. However, the company soon returned to its roots and continued developing various firearms models.
In the 70s, FN Herstal almost wholly abandoned its military development direction and switched to producing weapons for civilian purposes. About 99% of its range consisted of hunting rifles. The most famous among them was the FN Browning A5. This semi-automatic rifle was equipped with a magazine for 2 or 5 cartridges, making it possible to fire shots with relatively little recoil. This made the weapon popular among many European hunters. In the 80s, FN Herstal received a large order from NATO, which caused it to shift its focus back to military weapons.
Ceska zbrojovka (Czech Republic)
The Czech Republic has always been famous for the high quality of its weapons. Companies regularly appeared in the territory of this country that offered customers high-quality and relatively inexpensive products. Among many manufacturers, Ceska Zbrojovka has earned the status of a legend. It was founded in 1919 in the city of Strakonice. At that time, all companies in Czechoslovakia tried to place their production as far as possible from the border with Germany, where the Nazis came to power. In the first years, Ceska zbrojovka was engaged in manufacturing hunting rifles. However, in 1936, a branch of the company was opened in the city of Uhersky Brod, and it was clear that the world was on the brink of a major war; it began to deal primarily with military weapons. In particular, Ceska zbrojovka manufactured high-quality aircraft machine guns, which, at that time, were considered the best in Europe.
Almost immediately after the start of WWII, the Czech Republic was occupied by Germany. The Ceska zbrojovka arms factories were taken over by the Germans, who began producing weapons for the Nazi army. In 1945, after the capitulation of the Nazis, the arms company was nationalized. This event provided it with stable financing and many government orders. Thus 1948, the famous submachine gun CZ Model 23/25 was released. It became the first such model with a telescopic bolt, which other European arms manufacturers later copied. Already 5 years after the mass production of submachine guns, more than half a million units were manufactured, proving their quality and demand in Europe.
The following famous weapon model appeared in 1961. It was the machine pistol Skorpion vz. 61, which, in most characteristics, was ahead of its competitors then. Initially, this weapon was intended for law enforcement agencies of Czechoslovakia. However, its standard reliability, high accuracy and ease of use helped the Skorpion vz. 61 became the primary personal weapon of junior officers of the country's army. This model was so perfect that it is still produced today. In the late 60s, Ceska Zbrojovka introduced its unique self-loading pistol, CZ 75. This weapon was distinguished by excellent ergonomics and had a proprietary double-action trigger mechanism.
In the 90s of the last century, Ceska zbrojovka ceased to be a state-owned company. This event allowed the new management to enter the markets of other countries and continents freely. In 1997, the legendary Czech manufacturer appeared in the United States. There, they developed and produced modern high-precision weapons for various purposes. At the beginning of the 21st century, Ceska zbrojovka acquired several small foreign companies and expanded its product range. The latter was replenished with such excellent models as the CZ 805 BREN and CZ Scorpion Evo 3.
Ceska zbrojovka is one of the most prestigious European arms companies these days. It supplies its products to 100+ countries and is included in the top 10 of various ratings. Its weapons are known to everyone for their reliability, ergonomics and versatility. Due to these qualities, they are equally often used by the military, law enforcement officials and civilians.
Steyr (Austria)
Steyr is one of the most famous weapons manufacturers. It is based in Austria and creates models for various purposes. Steyr appeared thanks to the blacksmith Leopold Werndl, who, in the early 20s of the XIX century, was engaged in the manufacture of multiple components for weapons from iron. In 1855, his son Josef Werndl continued his business. After 9 years of work, he organized a weapons factory, which later became Steyr. This event occurred in 1864, considered the official moment of the company's foundation.
Until the end of the century, Steyr produced a wide variety of weapons that were sold throughout the country. At the beginning of the 20th century, Josef Werndl entered into a profitable partnership with the famous, at that time, engineer Ferdinand Mannlicher, who helped create the first genuinely unique Steyr weapon. It was a multi-shot rifle, which was the primary weapon of the Austro-Hungarian army during WWI. During the war, the company also developed the machine pistol Steyr M1912. This weapon received a unique fixed magazine and an easy-to-disassemble design. For shooting, the M1912 used branded cartridges from the Austrian company, which were manufactured in huge quantities at the Steyr plant.
After the end of WWI, the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. The agreement adopted in 1919 on the ban on the production of weapons in Austria forced the company to look for other sources of income. The best option was the production of bicycles, which were in demand then, and cars. Steyr could again engage in developing and producing weapons at its plants only during WWII. After the capitulation of Germany, the ban on the manufacture of firearms was lifted. By the beginning of the 50s, the Austrian company received orders from the state to modernize the Mannlicher-Schönauer rifle. Steyr also began to create new models of weapons.
In the 60s, the Steyr SSG 69 rifle appeared. It was distinguished by maximum accuracy, so it quickly became in demand among military personnel and athletes. Among its main features, it is worth highlighting the heavy barrel manufactured by the cold forging method and the availability of modifications with different calibers. The 70s were an excellent period for the Austrian manufacturer. At that time, the company released the Steyr AUG assault rifle, exported to dozens of countries worldwide. It was distinguished by its modular design, futuristic design and high rate of fire. Thanks to these qualities, it quickly gained popularity and became Steyr's calling card for many years. This rifle repeatedly appeared in cult action films of the 70s and 80s, which made potential buyers fall in love with it even more.
In the 21st century, Steyr continued actively modernizing its popular models and began manufacturing modern new products. Among them, the Steyr Elite stands out. This improved version of the Steyr-Mannlicher Scout rifle is intended primarily for military personnel. It is available in three different calibers and is adapted for use in challenging environmental conditions. This model can be easily supplemented with night vision devices and daytime optics, making it highly versatile and suitable for performing dozens of tasks.
Anschütz (Germany)
Many legendary companies were founded thanks to one specific person or family engaged in the manufacture of weapons. The German Anschütz is no exception to this rule. Its origins can be found almost three centuries before the official appearance on the German arms market. In 1563, the Anschütz family founded their own enterprise to repair various types of weapons in the small town of Zella-Mehlis (Thuringia). It was pretty successful and well-known in the region. In addition to repairs, the Anschütz family manufactured simple rifles and pistols. This was not a serial production, so the Anschütz Arms Company could not officially be called the Anschütz Arms Company. The situation changed in 1856 when J. G. Anschütz decided to expand the business and fully concentrate on producing firearms. From this moment, the official history of the famous German company begins.
Initially, Anschütz was a small manufactory. However, by the end of the century, it had turned into a full-fledged enterprise with official management and several dozen employees. They all worked on creating small-caliber hunting rifles, which were in great demand then. In the 20th century, after the death of J. G. Anschütz, the management of the company passed to his sons. They continued their father's business and were able to increase production capacity significantly in a short period. During WWI, the sons of the company's founder managed to preserve and even improve their capital. Thanks to this, after the end of the war, the company began to invite new employees actively. At the same time, the direction of activity remained the same. The new managers deliberately refused military orders and concentrated on weapons for hunting and simple recreational shooting.
At the beginning of WWII, Anschütz came under the control of the German Ministry of War. In connection with this, the company did not manufacture hunting rifles but various design elements for Mauser 98k carbines. After the end of the war, the Anschütz family was deported to the city of Ulm, and their company was nationalized. This event led to the dismantling of all the machines and destroying valuable records of new weapons developments. To save the company, the representatives of the Anschütz family were forced to start all over again. They registered J. G. Anschutz GmbH & Co. KG in Ulm and began producing sporting weapons. The first genuinely famous model was the Match 52. It appeared in 1953 and became renowned for its maximum shooting accuracy.
In 1954, the Germans developed the famous Match-54 KK-System, which was so successful that it is even used in the company's modern weapons. In the 1960s, Anschutz products began to be used in various competitions. With their help, athletes won many awards, including at the Olympic Games. In 1962, the company released the Model 54 SuperMatch, which displaced many well-known sporting rifles and became the primary weapon of dozens of athletes.
In the 1970s, Anschutz moved from various shooting competitions to biathlon. This sport still used large-caliber rifles, but with the advent of the German company, it switched to small-caliber ones. This circumstance forever changed this sport and made it as spectacular as possible. In the 1980s and 1990s, Anschutz weapons dominated the world's sports arenas. They were characterized by high accuracy, ease of use, and simplicity of shooting.
In the 21st century, Anschutz repeatedly presented improved versions of its weapons. All of them became successful and found many fans. Today, the famous German company is the world leader in producing sporting rifles. Most of the products, which are manufactured exclusively at the plant in Ulm, are exported to dozens of countries around the world and receive a good profit.
Walther (Germany)
The famous German arms company, named after its founder, Carl Walther, can rightfully be considered legendary. Its history begins more than 100 years before the official opening. In 1780, the future Walther enterprise was a factory producing pistols and other weapons. It belonged to the Pistor family, which became related to the Walther family a few decades later. The joint enterprise began operating in 1886. Carl Walther initiated its opening, so the company was named after his last name.
Initially, the enterprise was more like a small workshop. It was located in the city of Zella-Mehlis (Thuringia) and was engaged in the production of hunting rifles. Two years after the company's founding, Carl Walther married the daughter of Christian Friedrich Pickert, who at that time was a famous developer of revolvers. This event led to the renowned German company's beginning to produce pistols in the 20th century. Since 1908, models numbered 1 through 9 have been appearing. Almost all of them were similar and differed only in caliber. Among them, the Walther Model 6 stood out. This pistol did not use the standard locked-breech but a unique blowback. Because of this, the gun did not work effectively and was inconvenient to use. However, this model has become popular among modern gun collectors due to its uniqueness.
In the late 1920s, Walther began producing the PP model, which stood out with its exposed hammer, folding bolt, and double-action trigger mechanism. At the beginning of the next decade, an improved version of this pistol, the PPK, appeared. Both weapons were available in standard calibers and intended to perform various tasks. Their increased reliability and high build quality made Walther pistols an attractive option for military personnel.
At the beginning of WWII, various Walther models became a modern replacement for the outdated P-08 Luger pistols. German soldiers and officers actively used them. From 1942 until the capitulation of Germany, many weapons were created at the Walther plant. However, after the war's end, Zella-Mehlis fell under Soviet occupation, and the production of pistols had to be forgotten. Work was resumed only in 1953 in Ulm, where Fritz Walther (then the head of the company) transported everything that could be saved from the former enterprise. In 1957, Walther introduced the P1 model. This pistol was intended for the West German army and served as a personal weapon for officers. After the death of Fritz Walther in 1966, his son chose a different direction for the company's development and switched his attention to the production of sports models.
Until the end of the 20th century, pistols produced under the Walther brand remained in demand in various fields of activity. In 1993, the company was sold to the German manufacturer of air guns, UMAREX. Since then, Walther pistols have been manufactured not only in Ulm but also in Arnsberg, which is home to the new owners. In 2012, a subsidiary was created in the USA. It was engaged in distributing the legendary brand's products in North America. Today, Walther continues to produce various types of pistols. All modern models are distinguished by high build quality, reliability and long service life.
Europe has been the center of development of the arms industry for many years. Many companies representing it are known worldwide today and rightfully bear the status of legends. Their weapons are manufactured by considering many years of experience and the involvement of the best specialists on the continent. This makes them ideal and makes them compete equally with famous American companies' weapons. Therefore, when you go hunting, to a shooting range or a training ground, do not forget to mentally thank the legendary European manufacturers who allowed you to shoot from the best weapon ever created by man.
EN
de
es
bs
cs
da
el
et
fi
fr
hr
hu
is
it
ja
ko
lt
lv
nl
no
pl
pt
ro
sk
sl
sr
sv
tr
zh-CN
zh-TW