Pieper

Henri Pieper born in Soest (Westphalia) Germany on Oct 30, 1840, emigrated to Belgium end of 1859. Anciens Etablissements Pieper was Belgian arms manufacturer established under name Henri Pieper in Herstal, Belgium in 1884 (some sources 1866) by Henri Pieper. In 1870 his 6,000 square meter workshop on street of Bayard and barrel factory in Nessonvaux in valley of Vesdre primarily manufacturing shotguns for export. Mechanical manufacture of weapons, primarily shotguns intended for export, represents essence of activity of Pieper workshops. In 1887 Henri Pieper joined Manufacturers of Weapons association of Liege. Henri Pieper died prematurely August 23, 1898 at 57 years age. Company renamed Nicolas Pieper in 1898 (his son). Les Anciens Etablissements Pieper survived both world wars, continued making arms of nearly every description before closing for good in 1956.