FLZ stock markings on a Original V rifle

[45flint]

The first pic is of my FLZ Original V prewar rifle. The marking would seem to have to be from a subcontractor who made it? The second pic is of the subcontractors that made parts doe the Walther Model 4 pistol during WW1. The lower right corner seems to match. Hard to believe Mercedes made air gun stocks?

[Farsight]

It is apparent that the monograms are not identical, the one on the stock consisting of a single line.

That said, trademarks did sometimes evolve , not without contemporary documentation, but much of that sort of thing is long lost now.

Of course high end prewar cars used a lot of quality woodwork in their frames and furniture so Mercedes may well have had a substantial woodworking division
that was in a position to take work in. They may all have even had corporate connections.

It's a very nice rifle indeed !

Atb
Mark

[Swissairgun]

This Mercedes company was not the company that became a well-known car manufacturer!

[45flint]

This Mercedes company was not the company that became a well-known car manufacturer!

That would make sense but can find nothing on them?

[Swissairgun]

That would make sense but can find nothing on them?

They made typewriters and were in Zella-Mehlis.

The B-M in the name stood for Bureau-Maschinen (office machines)

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merced...BCromaschinen)

[Farsight]

Putting them in Zella Mehlis does make them seem likely candidates !

Just a couple of thoughts :

The trademarks shown are not the same .

Typewriter makers are not known for their use of wood. Of course, they may have made wooden cases for their machines, or even office furniture.

The factory had, according to the wiki, taken their name from the car maker. I would ,for what it's worth ,suggest that this is indicative of some corporate connection,rather than a completely separate enterprise .

If someone turns up some definitive documentary evidence on the matter from the Germany of ninety years ago I should love to know the truth.

Atb Mark

[45flint]

They made typewriters and were in Zella-Mehlis.

The B-M in the name stood for Bureau-Maschinen (office machines)

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merced...BCromaschinen)

I saw this connection and Zella Mehlis location made sense but a business machine maker making gun stocks seems unlikely? Also I did not see any connections where they used a circle M trademark?

[Swissairgun]

The German Wikipedia article says that Mercedes B-M acquired the use of the brand name from Daimler-Motorenwerke. That suggests nothing more than a contractual connection between the 2 companies to allow the use of the name.

As you guys have pointed out, the M stamped into the stock and the M of Mercedes M-B are somewhat similar but not the same, so no indication that Mercedes M-B (who made mechanical typewriters) had anything to do with that wooden gun stock's production.

Alles klar?!

[Farsight]

The German Wikipedia article says that Mercedes B-M acquired the use of the brand name from Daimler-Motorenwerke. That suggests nothing more than a contractual connection between the 2 companies to allow the use of the name.

As you guys have pointed out, the M stamped into the stock and the M of Mercedes M-B are somewhat similar but not the same, so no indication that Mercedes M-B (who made mechanical typewriters) had anything to do with that wooden gun stock's production.

Alles klar?!

Klar wie Schlamm , Danke !

[Swissairgun]

Klar wie Schlamm , Danke !

Gern geschehen!

[ccdjg]

I saw this connection and Zella Mehlis location made sense but a business machine maker making gun stocks seems unlikely?

Perhaps not as unlikely as you might think, Steve. For example, just after the war, Fritz Walther set up a business making calculating machines which became very successful, and then in 1950 when restrictions were lifted he expanded into making air rifles to his own patented design (Encyclopedia of Spring Air Pistols, 2nd Ed. p. 346) Also the German company Alpina-Werk of Kaufbeuren made typewriters and calculating machines, and in the 1960's and patented and made the Eusta air pistol (ESAP 2, page 116).

John

[Swissairgun]

Perhaps not as unlikely as you might think, Steve. For example, just after the war, Fritz Walther set up a business making calculating machines which became very successful, and then in 1950 when restrictions were lifted he expanded into making air rifles to his own patented design (Encyclopedia of Spring Air Pistols, 2nd Ed. p. 346) Also the German company Alpina-Werk of Kaufbeuren made typewriters and calculating machines, and in the 1960's and patented and made the Eusta air pistol (ESAP 2, page 116).

John

Feinwerkbau (which means precision engineering) started off making electromechanical counters. Diana made drawers for typeset, and all sorts of things after WW2 before they could restart with airguns. Langenhan also made a successful racing bike: the Meteor. BSA was also a conglomerate that made loads of other things besides guns and motorbikes! Back in the day, these companies made what sold!