Simson Drilling

[Steve Whitley]

For further detail and clarification, as Jim Cate stated, the transition from Simson & Co. to BSW took place (at the factory) in early 1934 (February 1st, by the most reliable information I have) with the installation of the new administration. Karl Beckurts became the on-site plant manager, with Dr. Hoffmann in Berlin the chief trustee. The signature page of an earlier contract (March 5, 1934) shown here bears the signatures of Direktor Beckurts and Herr Schönfelder and note that the company is known at this time as "Berlin-Suhler Waffen- und Fahrzeugwerke, Simson & Co." of Suhl. Very shortly afterwards, the Simson name was removed from all letterhead and official paperwork, but receivers marked "Simson" continued to show up in some production for some time afterwards.
Steve

[Steve Whitley]

The name "Waffa" was first introduced, by the way, when the Simsons first attempted to remove their name from the arms portion of their manufacturing empire, back in September of 1933. This was their choice of a new name; the effort back-fired on them, however, and the trusteeship established in that attempt came up with the "Berlin-Suhler Waffen" name, likely at the suggestion of Dr. Hoffmann. The arms firm was offered for sale, but at about RM 9 Million assessed value, the only realistic prospect as a buyer was Flick, who declined the opportunity.
Steve