Have a look at the illustrated 1939 Bofors heavy weapons catalog,
also for sale on USMBOOKS.com.

This rare Nazi Rheinmetall weapons manufacturers anniversary book is for sale **SOLD**.   USM book #428

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This is a wonderful book for anybody interested in the background and products of Nazi weapons manufacturers, and in particular of the famous German firm Rheinmetall-Borsig AG of Düsseldorf. This big 8-1/2 x 12 inch, 120 page very heavily illustrated linen and leather hard cover book 50 JAHRE RHEINMETALL DÜSSELDORF 1889-1939 was published by the company to commemorate its enormous success. Based on very early patents the company grew from a small metalware company to one of the largest and most advanced manufacturers of weapons and weapon systems in the world.

Following an introduction by head of the Four Year Plan, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, the book explains how the company got started in the late 1800s by acquiring patents connected to the drawing of metal for things like shell casings. It then perfected many early recoiling field guns, breechblock mechanisms, exploding shells, heavy mortars and guns for ships.

During World War I, they advanced into grenade throwers, field artillery systems and the most sorts of ammunition. After the armistice, they switched to products like locomotives which used their expertise in manufacturing tubing. With the beginning of the Nazi era their success was assured as the company threw the full force of their research behind weapons and weapon systems, very, very heavy machinery manufacturing, motor parts manufacturing and of course, the Germania Wharf shipyards in Kiel-Gaarden.

The book goes to some length to praise Nazi industrial leaders who were responsible in large part for the growth of the company. There are pictures of the company health facilities, leisure time activities, visits by Dr. Robert Ley, Adolf Hitler, Hermann Goering and others.

The last section of the book is devoted to full-page and half-page pictures of many of Rheinmetall's amazing weapons and weapons systems from field pieces to depth charges.

Unfortunately, Rheinmetall's rocket research and development was still top secret in Nazi Germany at the time this book was published, but understanding the background of the company as explained in the book makes it easy to understand why they were at the forefront of offensive and defensive military rocket systems. Rare and in very good condition.