Walther
THE FIRST CENTURY
Walther: 130 years of innovation in gun manufacturing
For centuries, areas with ore deposits have been centers of firearms manufacturing. An important example is the region around Suhl and Zella-Mehlis in Thuringia. Modest blacksmiths gave rise to special trades such as that of rifle maker, which was the trade of the forefathers of the Walther family. One of them was August Theodor Walther, who married the granddaughter of the respected rifle maker Gustav Wilhelm Pistor, from Asbach-Schmalkalden. Their son, Carl Wilhelm Freund Walther, laid the foundation for the Walther company. Born in 1858, he started his own rifle making business in 1886. With the assistance of his apprentice, Carl Walther began to manufacture hunting and target shooting rifles with Martini and Aydt breech block actions. At that time, the 28-year-old had very little equipment and few tools at his disposal.