Steyr

Founded on April 16, 1864 by Josef Werndl as Josef und Franz Werndl & Company Waffenfabrik und Sägemühle in Oberletten (Josef and Franz Werndl & Partners, Weapons Factory and Sawmill). Based in city of Steyr, Austria. Originally part of Steyr-Daimler-Puch, became independent when conglomerate broken up in 1989. Werndl's cooperation with engineer Ferdinand Mannlicher (1848-1904) who patented advanced repeating rifle in use by Austro-Hungarian Army made OEWG one of largest weapon manufacturers in Europe. In 1989 after partial dissolution of Steyr Daimler Puch conglomerate, weapon division named Steyr Mannlicher in honour of great Austro-Hungarian engineer. Prior to 1 January 2019 company named Steyr Mannlicher GmbH, now simply called Steyr Arms. Acquired Merkel USA in January 2010, Steyr Arms is sole U.S. importer and distributor of Merkel shotguns, rifles, drillings and combination arms.