Mauser-Borsigwalde history

[S/42]

Where would be a good place to start research on M-B? I am certain it will be coming in Mike and Bruce's new book, but I am impatient and want to do some reading up on the M-B facility.

I am interested in the setup - was the old DWM machinery retained and upgraded where needed, or was the old factory essentially gutted and refitted? Were any former DWM employees employed in the facility? At wars end, was M-B in the Brit/American/French sector, or the Russian sector? Was the factory destroyed at the end of the war? Or was it reequipped to manufacture other items?

I always find it interesting how much difference there are between an M-O rifle and an M-B rifle - quite a few discernible differences - stock details, finishing work, and most assuredly M-B had odd font size with usually sloppy application of serials.

M-B is oddly one of my favourite makers - I rarely hear anyone saying anything either positive nor negative about them.

 

[Loewe]

Well, the only "good internet" resource for such a study in "English" would be the P08 forums, specifically search out posts by Vlim, as he is, by far, the best researcher that knows what he is speaking about on Ludwig Loewe/DWM "historical" aspects.

There is a great deal in German of course on the large picture- DWM-Mauser. The 60th Anniversary book (1929) on Ludwig Loewe, the DWM anniversary book (1939), and Mauser's Anniversary book (1938-1939) also. I have the Ludw. Loewe and DWM Anniversary books, but not Mauser's (it's the most expensive), - all are easy to find, but expensive books, expect $100 plus unless you get lucky.

I have not studied this aspect of Mauser much (MB), actually I have not studied Mauser thoroughly as it is the most well covered Modell98 firm and I feel there is little reason to scrutinize the firm beyond their connections to Ludw. Loewe-DWM.

Vlim has done some really good posts regarding MB, though unintentionally, as his focus is more along the lines of the P08 and corporation's big picture.

Mauser Borsigwalde stands today, at least parts of it, and there are pictures of it in some of Vlims posts. It was built in 1907, originally intended, I think, for ammunition production, but never used for this due to the war, and enlarged during World War One. It was largely vacant by the late 1920's, when DWM-Mauser was in somewhat of an economic crisis. Eventually, disagreement over the organization of the company (and stock value) led to Ludw. Loewe AG being, basically, bumped out of the DWM-Mauser picture (due to corporate banking-shareholder squabbling).

This led DWM P08 production (the DWM-Mauser reorganization under Quandt) being sent to Mauser in 1929-1930.

Anyway, to stay on topic, regarding the 98k business, some vacant buildings within this DWM facility were leased to Mauser (really the same company- DWM leased them to Mauser starting in 1935), some to other firms, in 1935-36 period. Vlim, stated the actual contract was dated April-May 1936 and included Buildings, 43, 44, 45, 49, 55, 56, & 59, he also lists the size of each building. (He also stated that the French ordered buildings 43 & 45 destroyed, while 55 & 56 dismantled, except for the superstructure. This was in 1948, so I assume they were in the French sector of Berlin.)

This became Mauser Borsigwalde... the buildings survived World War II, at least the most famous ones, the ones imaged in the DWM 50th Anniversary book. I think Vlim said they were the State Archive building today.

 

[S/42]

Thanks P - VERY informative as usual. I shall seek out Vlim's writings.

 

[bruce98k]

"Werke Wittenau"

Lewis as I find info I will post it up. Data is relatively scarce compared to Mauser Oberndorf, even as
MB was a satellite facility of the parent company.

I am doing the chapter on MB so if any of my fellow members has any pertinent info, please pass it on.

Much appreciated.

Here is one tidbit I do know. In the beginning all references to Mauser Berlin-Borsigwalde refer to
Werke Wittenau rather than Borsigwalde. The vernacular Borsigwalde really didnt stick until much later.
I will try and post some original docs that I got from Jon regarding this.

 

[luftmacher]

I need to do some more book shopping now. The topic is of interest in reference to trainers, as well. Genschow had purchased at least PART of the old DWM facility in 1924---but does it include this property? Further, are there reliable records of WHAT Mauser produced from the property, and when? Records from Oberndorf state that the first major sale of their DSMs was to be delivered from the Berlin facility, but the wording is a bit ambiguous: "zugebot würde von filiale Bln. abgegeben" which almost implies these were to be MADE there?!?! but this was in summer of 1935? Thoughts, anyone?
Steve Whitley