Chapter 285: The Berlin–Mauser Arsenal
Berlin, Hechingen Arsenal
Factory Director Mein was showing Ernst the performance of two rifles. On the table lay the Prussian Dreyse and a captured Chassepot from the battlefield.
Picking up the Chassepot, Mein explained to Ernst:
"The French use this Chassepot rifle. It borrows many successful features from the Dreyse – for example, a rotating bolt handle, a firing pin striking paper cartridges – but overall, it is slightly better. Regarding the bolt lock system, the Dreyse rifle isn't sealed tight, so it leaks gas. That flaw greatly reduces the gunpowder's effectiveness and lowers bullet velocity."
"Chassepot addresses that by replacing Dreyse's hollow bolt with a solid one and adding a rubber gasket at the top. When the bullet fires and hot gasses expand the rubber, the chamber becomes better sealed. Improved sealing means higher bullet velocity and thus longer effective range. Another detail: Dreyse's primer is in the middle of the cartridge, forcing a very long, thin firing pin, while Chassepot's primer is at the cartridge base, meaning the pin can be shorter and more reliable."
"We've seen enough from the Dreyse rifle's wartime performance to confirm it's completely outdated. We planned to retire the production line after the war, but we need to wait for Prussia's next official rifle to appear before we replace everything," said Director Mein of the Berlin Hechingen Arsenal to Ernst, who had come to inspect the facility.
"Right, so let's retire that Dreyse production line now. You have a new task: focus mainly on developing a new firearm. I've arranged a partner for you," Ernst said after hearing Mein's explanation.
He intended to move the outdated Dreyse rifle line to East Africa. Even if Dreyse was outdated, in Africa it still had a market.
Curious, Mein asked, "Your Highness, which partner did you find?"
"Have you heard of the Mauser brothers in the Kingdom of Württemberg?" Ernst asked in return.
"Oh, them! Yes, I do know them. I once spoke with their father, Anders Mauser, at the Oberndorf Württemberg Royal Arsenal. He was a famous gunmaker, but he had many children," Mein replied. "I heard two younger sons followed his trade, but honestly, I doubt they'll accomplish much. Recently, it seems they were kicked out by a partner. Are you sure they haven't conned you?"
That story traces back to the Mauser brothers' family. As children of a gunmaking lineage, they might have lived comfortably, but their situation was complicated. Old Mauser had thirteen sons, so they lived in poverty. While still young, the brothers had to do odd jobs at the Württemberg Arsenal in Oberndorf to scrape by. Yet these two were bold and ambitious; even before the Franco-Prussian War, they tried improving the Dreyse. But a few years ago, the Württemberg arsenal went bankrupt.
Jobless, the Mauser brothers went to work at the Norris Arsenal. Its owner, Samuel Norris, was the European representative for America's Remington Gun Company. The Mausers and Samuel "hit it off," combining ideas from the Chassepot with the Mauser improvements to the Dreyse, producing the "Mauser-Norris" rifle and applying for a U.S. patent. Just when the Mausers felt success approaching, Samuel tore up the contract and pushed them aside. They had to return home to set up a small workshop.
The Americans' betrayal actually helped Ernst. While the Mauser brothers were down and out, he found their tiny shop in Oberndorf, Württemberg, and offered them collaboration. A prince's invitation was impossible to refuse, so they agreed to cooperate with Hechingen's Arsenal, insisting on keeping their "Mauser Arsenal" name. That didn't bother Ernst—he would just rename the Berlin Hechingen Arsenal as "Berlin–Mauser Arsenal."
As for East Africa? Without the R&D capability, if the entire Hechingen Arsenal moved there, it would wither. Production lines might be fine if staffed by workers, but serious firearms R&D needed Europe's advanced environment and talent. East Africa would remain a manufacturing site at best, while actual R&D stayed in Germany. Besides, Ernst couldn't abandon the Prussian arms market, so the new "Berlin–Mauser Arsenal" would keep making gear for the German Army.
"Mein, don't be like that," Ernst advised. "Young people always have ideas, and the Mauser brothers' 'Mauser-Norris' looks promising. Let them refine it. I believe the new rifle will be impressive. All they need is a chance."
"Though we lack in-house R&D, that's a fact. The Hechingen Arsenal is basically a factory, while the Mauser brothers have a mature plan. Their earlier design almost got adopted by Austria-Hungary."
Mein said, "All right, Your Highness. If that's what you want, I won't object. But developing a new firearm must be done carefully. If we choose the wrong path, the market won't wait."
"Haha, don't worry," Ernst replied. "If no one else buys them, East Africa will. Even if no other orders come in, we'll place one ourselves."
Truly, Ernst had no fear because the Mauser brothers' design was basically ready by 1869—the historical Mauser Model 1871. With a better workspace, the design just needed finishing touches. It likely wouldn't be a failure, so once it was done, East Africa's order would ensure no meltdown.
"Well, in that case, I have nothing more to say. By the way, Your Highness, do you know firearms personally?" Mein asked curiously.
"Of course not," Ernst answered. "I'm just trusting my instinct."
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