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I have a rifle marked Wittener Stahl, is that different steel than the Krupp Witten plant steel?
Thanks Mike
Thanks Mike
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Mike,
Yes, I believe it is steel from a different source. I don't know if or how the composition differs, however.
Mike -
The cast steelworks in Witten were not related to Krupp. They were competitors during the latter part of the 19th century. In 1854 Louis C. Berger, son of the founder, perfected the making of small arms barrel steel. During the 1850s to the 1880s Witten was the leader in small arms barrel steel. Among their worldwide customers were the American companies Winchester and Colt. For Colt they made special size, nearly 2” diameter, steel stock. Colt needed them to make their “all American” Peacemaker cylinders. At that time, Krupp specialized in railway equipment and artillery. Krupp breechloading, rifled cast steel field guns earned them fame and reputation in the Franco – Prussian war of 1870 – 71 and made the name popular, but the infantry on both sides fought with rifle barrels of Witten steel. Krupp went to the small arms barrel steel market after 1890 only. Krupp had the famous “name” on the civilian market, but Witten supplied the military arsenals and factories in Germany and abroad with rifle barrels up to WW1.
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Thanks Axel & Mike
The barrel is on my second Concurrenz, I took it to the range Wednesday, experienced a lot of leading, I will need too figure that problem out.
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