Otto Eberhardt Patronenfabrik Explained

Otto Eberhardt Patronenfabrik
Location:	Hirtenberg, Lower Austria, Austria
Industry:	cartridge and metal fabrication
Parent:	Gustloff-Werke - Waffenwerk Suhl

Otto Eberhardt Patronenfabrik (English: "Otto Eberhardt Cartridge Factory") was a munitions company established in 1860. The company's Hirtenberger Patronen, Zündhütchen und Metallwarenfabrik (English: "cartridge, primer and metalware fabrication in Hirtenberg") near Wiener Neustadt (proofmark "am")^[1] used forced labor during World War II from a sub-camp of the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp and produced ammunition including 9×19mm Parabellum (pistol and submachine gun) and 8 mm Mauser (rifle) cartridges. The company also had a factory in Ronsdorf near Wuppertal (proofmark "ap")^[1] which produced rifles. Additional Gustloff facilities were in Meiningen^[1] and Weimar.^[2]

Hirtenberg aircraft

Otto Eberhardt Patronenfabrik also purchased the assets of the Hopfner aircraft company in 1935. They continued production of both de Havilland- and Siemens-powered aircraft under the Hirtenberg brand. They produced the Hirtenberg HS.9 under their brand.

Unbuilt projects

From^{[3] [4]}

• Hopfner H.A.M.11 (amphibious twin-engine aircraft based on H.A.11/33)
• H.M.15 (six-seat, twin-engine military aircraft based on the HV.15)

Notes and References

1. Web site: WWII German Ordnance Codes . 2008-09-16.
2. Web site: Looking for info on Gustloff Werke 5.6x35RWS . German Weapons . Gun Collector Forum . 2008-09-16 . By 1938, Gustloff-Werke consisted of several factories:
   1. Fritz Sauckel Works, Weimar.
   2. Arms Works, Suhl.
   3. Otto Eberhardt Cartridge Factory, Hirtenberg, Niederdonau, Austria. (formerly Hirtenberger Patronen Züundhütchen & Metallwarenfabrik A.G.)
   4. Muselwitz Engineering Factory.
   5. Branch Office, Berlin - 'Thüringia House', responsible for overseas and government sales..
3. Web site: Theodor Hopfner/Hirtenberg Aircraft, Prototypes and Projects. Secret Projects Forum.
4. Web site: Hopfner aircraft, Austria. Secret Projects Forum.