Facts About Heckler and Koch

Heckler & Koch is one of the top global manufacturers of small arms. Headquartered in Germany, the company produces firearms used by the military, police, NATO and NATO-associated states. 

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According to the company's website, Edmund Heckler, Theodor Koch, and Alex Seidel founded Heckler & Koch right after World War II in 1948 in Oberndorf, in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. They began modestly by manufacturing replacement pieces for bicycles and everyday household appliances. As part of terms of their surrender, Germany was under a weapons manufacturing ban, with limited production permitted for police. The ban was lifted and in 1955, Heckler & Koch began to manufacture firearms exclusively.

In the 1960s the company created the groundbreaking MP5 machine pistol and HK33 assault rifle, enhancing its reputation in the armament business. By the 1970s their products were so popular that the number of contracts increased substantially. This lead to the business being divided into two divisions: hunting and sport weapons and the defense and police technology.

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By the early 1990s the U.K. company Royal Ordnance, a subsidiary of British Aerospace, purchased Heckler & Koch, and in 2002, it was acquired by Keith Halsey and Andreas Heeschen, boosting the production location in Oberndorf as they diversified the portfolio, internationalized the distribution. Today there is a separation of civilian and military business, with some of their products available for sale only to governments.

Heckler & Koch's main office remains in Oberndorf, Germany, with additional locations in France, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Out of the 700 employees that work for H&K, 640 work in the Oberndorf head office. Heckler & Koch supplies the US Army, Norwegian and British Armed forces, the German Federal Police, according to the H&K website.

This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws before purchasing or traveling with a firearm.

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