Book Review: Ott-Helmuth von Lossnitzer, Technical Director of The Mauser Company

by
posted on January 28, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
helmuth.jpg

Ott-Helmuth von Lossnitzer led a fascinating life. One of Germany’s leading arms industrialists during the Third Reich, von Lossnitzer served as technical director of the Mauser Works in Oberndorf for a dozen years before immigrating to America and continuing his gun-designing career with the U.S. Ordnance Corps. By the time he retired from the industry in 1968, von Lossnitzer had become a foremost authority on aircraft weapons, having specialized in that field for both Mauser and the Springfield Armory.

Edited by Leslie E. Field and Bas J. Martens, this autobiography came to be when Field convinced von Lossnitzer to publish his life story. However, due to severe eye issues, von Lossnitzer was no longer able to type or write easily, so an arrangement was made with the local high school to have him dictate his memoir to the students of an advanced typing class for the purpose of producing a manuscript. 

The end result of their work is an absorbing look behind the scenes at Mauser in the years leading up to and during World War II. While his contributions after leaving Germany are equally intriguing—including work on the M61 Vulcan rotary cannon and the AH-56 Cheyenne helicopter—the scope of this book focuses mainly on his tenure at Mauser. A collection of first-hand accounts of historical events, Mauser production details, technical specs and humorous anecdotes from the life of von Lossnitzer, this book would be of great appeal to anyone with a particular interest in the history of Mauser or 20th century aircraft firearm designs. Price: $50. Contact Mowbray Publishing; (800) 999-4697; gunandswordcollector.com.

Latest

Sw Mp Spec Series Web
Sw Mp Spec Series Web

Review: Smith & Wesson Spec Series V M&P 9 Metal HD

This latest enhancement from Smith & Wesson proves that good things can come from heavier, steel-framed packages.

Old Glory Bank, NRA Partner To Provide Banking Benefits To Members

Old Glory Bank and the National Rifle Association (NRA) recently entered into a joint marketing relationship to provide banking benefits to members of the NRA Business Alliance and NRA-affiliated clubs and associations.

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.