Larry,
My best guess is that guns were waiting to be proofed when the invasion occurred. During the occupation some of the "back log" was proofed, but very few. I know of at least one case where a set of damascus tubes were hiden in a wall and did not come to light until some recent remodeling.
I do know the Germans took control of Pieper. It certainly happened to them during both wars.
This is from an email exchange with Raimey on the topic
Subject: Anciens Etablissements Pieper
Peter:
In your reading and research have you run across any references that Heinrich Krieghoff purchased Pieper in the 1930s upon the German invasion of Belgium(I don’t know what year that was)? Ludwig, Heinrich’s father, was quick to recognize and accept mechanization and I’m sure drilling it into Heinrich’s head before his walk about to FN, where he learned the mechanized manufacture of barrels and parts on a large scale. By the 1940s Krieghoff was huge with 4 factories around Suhl and a drop forge in addition to facilities in Lodz, Poland, Kufstein, Austrian Tyrol region, Franzenfester, Muhlbach and Sterzing. Post WWI, many, many German gunsmith firms failed and Krieghoff was there to absorb the machinery and components under his umbrella.
============
Raimey,
- In 1917 there was a letter of confirmation that Pieper would produce Luger parts for the German's.
- Kriehoff annexed Pieper from 1941 to 1944. It would be hard to call it a purchase.
- What is known about it is on pages 201-202 of Bayard Les hommes, les armes et machines du Chevalier Pieper & Cie 1859-1957 by Michel Druart.
- I am pretty sure that Fabrique National suffered a similar fate under German occupation. I know the Germans were impressed with FN during WWI because of the level of mechanization of the factory.
- You must remember that during both wars, Belgium fell very quickly and early on. It is hard to say no with the buyer's army sitting in your office.
Pete
